Almost everyone has at one time or another worried what to do about a dead-end job, a job that you’ve continued to do just to pay the bills.
The problem is that identifying a dead-end job can be a little complicated. You might be struggling in your job but who doesn’t? You might suspect that you’re in a dead-end job, but other things mitigate it. Good co-worker relationships, a good boss, a good work environment, might all just confuse you. The fact of the matter is that if you really want to excel in life, you can’t afford to be sentimental about things. Look at your job critically. See if you can actually progress and be where you want to be in the next 10 years.
Here are a few things you can do about a dead-end job that may not only open up new avenues for you but also help you make your mind about your current predicament.
- Learn to start talking
If you feel like you’re in a dead-end job, there is a good chance that you have not spoken about this to anyone. You need to. There is a good chance that by engaging your seniors or supervisors, you will get a clearer picture of your prospects for progression. This may very well lead to you being given new opportunities to progress or if you’re a star performer, new opportunities being created especially for you. Your employers do have a responsibility to you too. You need to check with them before deciding it’s time to move on. - Understand what is it that you really want
You need to understand what it is you really want in your next job and what are you willing to sacrifice for it. Would changing career lanes be the right thing to do to reinvigorate you? Maybe moving to a new city is what you need? Ask yourself if you’re willing to take a lower paying job that offers better future opportunities. There are many things to consider before you start looking for a new job. Get to it. - Take a day out every week to explore a new direction
If you’re stuck in a dead-end job but can’t really just up and quit because of… bills, you need to start investing time into learning something else, something that excites you and gets your juices flowing. Fix a day every week where you spend the whole day studying or learning about a new career path perhaps. You need to realize that everything has to start somewhere, and just one day a week may seem like nothing, but it is a start nonetheless. - Looking for new job opportunities
It might feel like you’re stepping into unknown territory, but there are many jobs out there that will offer you the challenge you require. All you need to do is to hunt them down. Do some research on the internet, talk to your circle of friends or look up the classifieds. There is no harm in contacting a company you may have good things heard about and finding out if they are hiring. Next time before you apply and accept a job, make sure that it won’t end up being dead-end too. - Consulting
Consulting is a great way to get out of a dead-end job. Go out there and get your name printed on a bunch of consulting business cards. You have been working in your industry for a while, and it’s time to start marketing yourself as a consultant. Remember to keep your cards with you at all times. Give them out whenever you meet new people. You never know when someone might need a consultant and it is the best way to market your expertise.