Dead-End Job Or Opportunity To Grow?
FRESH CONTENT
Do you feel stuck in a dead-end job? You aren't alone. In fact, 73% of people feel the same way you do – trapped in a job with little growth potential. But, you can still develop marketable skills while working in your present job, even if there isn't a clear path for advancement at your current company. Let's explore ways to leverage a dead-end job into a better future.
Take Advantage of Training Opportunities
Your company may offer reimbursement for training and certification courses as long as they pertain to your role. If they don't, consider trying free or low-cost courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning. Look for digital or remote learning that you can fit into your schedule or downtime at work.
Choose training to hone your soft skills, leadership development, and people skills that can be easily applied in many industries. Also, look for developments in your field or the field you want to get into. What kinds of skills are employers listing as requirements on their job descriptions? Some certifications may be required, which you can work on to build your resume.
Soft Skills Sell
Soft skills, such as communication, negotiation, and leadership, are all valuable to employers no matter what type of business they're in. Even social influence (no, not a social media influencer), charisma that allows you to get along with people from all backgrounds in a professional setting, can make you a more well-rounded and better employee. Many companies offer training for these kinds of skills – not everyone is a born negotiator! Take advantage of opportunities, like serving on a committee or giving presentations. Or, maybe there is a new-hire trainer role that you could take on. Teaching and training others is a great way to improve your skills and help build the soft skills you need to succeed in a management position.
Find a Career Mentor
Ask your Human Resources department about mentoring programs your company may offer. There may not be formal ones outlined in your company handbook, but often, if you express a desire for professional mentorship, your HR Director may be able to pair you with a senior employee to help give you guidance. Good mentors help you spot an opportunity to gain experience or build skills or offer insight into your career path you may not realize. They also point out some blind spots you may have about your capabilities that could be holding you back.
Be Present and Intentional When Working Remotely
If your position is largely remote, or if you're not generally visible to decision-makers during the course of your day, then you may need to be more deliberate in seeking out opportunities to learn and grow. It can be harder for workers to be visible when working from home, and therefore, you may need to be more intentional about taking an opportunity for growth. Advocate for yourself.
This doesn't mean that learning platforms, training courses, mentorship programs, or taking on roles to improve your soft skills aren't available. You may need to be more proactive in finding these opportunities.
Bottom Line
If you're stuck in a dead-end job today, it doesn't mean you're stuck there forever. Your company may have resources for growth even if there isn't room for a promotion in your department. Or, you may be able to find valuable training courses for leadership development from other sources, learning more to position yourself as a viable candidate when a promotion does open up.