What constitutes a dead-end job? Well, the truth is that you have to decide and you can see your job any way you like. No doubt there are opportunities everywhere but these are some examples of some red flags that you may be in one of those dreaded dead-end jobs.
If you feel you’re in one and want to get yourself out there and get noticed. Why not create a public profile on The Job Auction as yourself and list your skills. You don’t have to list an auction but be ‘out there’ (proactive) for others to find you. Create an account and from there a profile (choose public of you’d like to be seen.) link, here.
You’re too comfortable
We’ll start with an odd one here because the truth is you may have lulled yourself into a false sense of security. The idea that your job is easy might at first seem like an attractive prospect but if there are no challenges not only does that mean no self-improvement but also there maybe no plans for progression in your department.
How you can tackle change in this area is to show initiative. If your role is streamlined and you want to move up, go the extra mile by covering other’s tasks, asking your superior if they need help, perhaps working overtime or showing willing that you’re available if required outside of working hours. Make it known that you’ve completed your work in less time than allotted and are free to help others around you. If you want to move up…it wont fall into your lap, go out and get it! Be on top of the game, read emails Before you arrive at the office, be early back from lunch…whatever ‘it’ is: make your efforts known and they wont go unnoticed.
You’re unfairly treated
This means that in the office you are ‘kept down’ or you suspect that those above you or working closely with you may have some hidden agenda to keep you in place. We recently ran an article on bullying in the workplace and know that these are things that do occur and are not always correctly combated. If you’re encountering hurdles at every turn, somewhat unnecessarily at times, it may also be a good time to think about a change of scenery.
You are being underpaid
Payment is the best way to check if your job is dead-end. It’s the little numerical equation you do to check whether your productivity is being paid the amount it deserves to be paid. Look around at similar jobs at those people with similar skill sets and work ethics, friends from other companies perhaps and then decide whether or not the amount you’re being paid is properly fair. You can always test the market by applying elsewhere to see what you could get. After all, something (or someone’s skillset) is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. Market yourself on The Job Auction!
No New Blood
If you’ve been in a job for over a few years and you don’t notice any new faces cropping up every now and again that might be just another red flag. Just because your colleagues aren’t necessarily jumping ship doesn’t mean that your job isn’t problematic. Those who are there are becoming part of the furniture and as such things feel very comfortable (see point 1). Of course, it might just be that the co. you work for is so Great people don’t leave! (People don’t leave Amazon because they’re paid to leave… sound bizzare? Article coming soon!)
You Don’t Want to Progress
Curveball for number five here, because: sometimes it’s not the company, it’s you. It’s not necessarily a bad thing but often people project their problems onto their environment. Visualise this for a second if you will. Your boss comes in and offers you a pay rise, promoting you up the greasy ladder and all of a sudden you’re in a new team with more responsibility and more to learn, to do, to think about ___ (fill in the blank). Prepared to work overtime? . . .
Now, do you either feel a.) Ecstatically pleased or b.) Anything other than ecstatically pleased? If it’s B then you might just be in a job you don’t want, my friend.
