Feeling Stuck In Your Career? Here Are 6 Things You Need To Do

By Perminus Wainaina

Are you happy and contented with your job right now and the direction your career is taking?

If the answer is no, then you are one among many Kenyan professionals feeling stuck in their career.

Whether it is because your job no longer offers you the satisfaction it once did when you started out or you have simply reached a dead end and don’t see what else is in store for you in that company, there are remedies for this.

You don’t have to beat yourself up or take up drastic measures like slacking in your job simply because your career is no longer exciting.

Related>>> Top 5 Signs You Need a Career Coach

4 Reasons Why People End Up Feeling Stuck In Their Careers

This may be your second or even fourth job and you just don’t understand why you seem to have fallen into a comfort zone. Here are some of the reasons why most Kenyan professionals end up feeling stuck in their careers.

Here are some of the reasons why most Kenyan professionals end up feeling stuck in their careers.

1. Taking a job for the money

When you accept a job offer simply because the salary is irresistible, chances are that months into it, you will feel stuck.

This is because if the money is the only thing that keeps you motivated but the roles are no longer exciting or challenging,  it is likely that you will end up feeling like you have no way out.

2. When you don’t fully understand the job expectations

Due to the uncertainties in the job market, most people end up taking whatever falls on their lap.

This is despite the fact that they don’t understand the expectations of the job. Maybe you were desperate when you accepted the job without knowing what was expected of you.

A later realization of what the job entails may result in feeling stuck.

3. No salary increment or change in responsibility

If you have been working on the same salary ever since you joined the company and there has never been a change in your responsibilities, you are more likely to feel like you have hit a dead end.

4. The company outsources for higher positions

When your boss instead of promoting you, thinks that someone from the outside can handle some responsibilities, then you might feel like you are not headed anywhere.

So what is the remedy? How do you take action and ensure that instead of feeling stuck, you start to grow in your career because let’s face it, at the end of the day, all your looking for is

How do you take action and ensure that instead of feeling stuck, you start to grow in your career because let’s face it, at the end of the day, all you’re looking for is growth.

What To Do When You Are Stuck In Your Career

1. Look for the aspects of your job that you enjoy

If you have been holding the same position for some time, there must be something that has kept you going all this time. Whether it’s the fact that you have the best colleagues in the world or the salary benefits, there is that one thing that has been prevented you from resigning and starting a career elsewhere.

I like telling people that, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Therefore, the solution doesn’t lie in quitting. You might find that the job you now hold is much better that what you will get elsewhere.

2. Talk to someone you trust

It is not easy feeling like your career is headed nowhere and this might lead to you performing poorly or worse depression. Instead of keeping it all bottled up inside, find someone in the office or outside that you trust and talk to them about your concerns.

Your boss can be the best go to person in such a situation because they are in a better position to make the necessary changes you need to progress in your career.

Talking to a friend or a colleague will give you a whole new perspective on how to handle things.

3. Consider career coaching

When you are feeling stuck, like I said talking about it might be the right thing to do. Remember that what you are facing might not be what everyone else is going through.

Your experience is unique and seeking the services of a professional career coach will help.

A career coach will sit with you, ask questions to help make sense of why you are feeling stuck and give you the best approach to your situation.

4. Try out something else – maybe a new job

If you are feeling stuck in a dead end job, where you are not growing in any way, then maybe it’s time you ventured into something new.

If there is nothing you can do about your current situation, think about what you want and focus your energy on getting yourself a new job that will offer you growth.

Must Read >>> 5 Things You Must Do To Grow In Your Career 

5. Expand your skills set

Maybe you are not getting promoted because your employer doesn’t feel that you have what it takes to hold a higher position. Instead of keeping your head down, and hoping that things will work, do something about it.

If there is a position you are eyeing in your organization, find out what you can add to your experience to make you stand out. Take classes or take up other roles in other departments that will expound on your leadership skills.

6. Try volunteering

If you are feeling stuck in your career, volunteering might help take the edge off. If you have flexible working hours, you can take up volunteer roles in other departments or another company which will make your job more enjoyable not to mention, the experience you will be adding to your CV.

The only way you can move ahead in your career is in loving what you are doing. Take up roles that will allow you maximize your potential and what you are really passionate about.

Your passion will motivate you to make the best of your time and make an impact in the organization.

Perminus Wainaina is a Certified HR Consultant, Career Coach and Managing Partner of Corporate Staffing Services, a leading recruitment firm in Kenya.  As a career coach, Perminus works with experienced professionals in helping them determine and achieve what they want in their career. 

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