The Covid-19 pandemic has left many people feeling frustrated, lost, and without a sense of direction. Some have bounced back, but many are still struggling to find their way without a clear plan of action. Even in normal circumstances, it’s not uncommon for people to have their careers stall. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how hard you work; the right opportunity just won’t come along. Other times, we’re too blind to see what’s in front of us and need someone else to point out the obvious. What are some possible reasons your career has stalled? Here are five common scenarios:
It’s Time to Move Sideways, Not Up
The first step is realizing that there may be a different direction for you than where you currently stand. There is no shame in admitting defeat or changing course if you find yourself stagnating or unhappy with your current role. Be sure to keep an open mind and research the company and role thoroughly before you decide. You can also start doing a side-hustle or some little lateral thinking and make a list of what you can offer other industries.
Your Brand Needs Some Love
An outdated brand can hold your career back. Your brand is what people think of when they see or hear about you for the first time. It’s how those around you perceive who you are as a person–especially employers looking to hire someone like yourself.
Your LinkedIn profile and social media presence might not be reflecting who you want to be at this stage of your career. Even if you’re happy where you are right now, these channels must reflect the kind of person that would make a good fit for what is available on the market or what interests you most. If there isn’t anything else coming along anytime soon – have an honest conversation with yourself about whether the time is passing by while waiting for perfect opportunities to come your way. Something might be missing from your current trajectory.
Your Network Isn’t Working for You
You’ve invested so much time in your career, but it still feels like you’re working against a tide. Perhaps the people in your network are not where they need to be. They are not at a stage of their careers to provide you with the right connections and assistance. Your networks need to evolve with who you want to be and what opportunities that will help support those goals.
It’s Time to Bulk Up Your Resume
If anything is missing on your resume or if any of its lines feel out-of-date, it doesn’t matter how long ago it was – update it. Use keywords that reflect the kind of work that excites you most now, even if it’s entirely different than what used to interest you earlier on. It can take some digging through old projects to find the right words, but it’s worth it.
It’s Time to Move On
If you have tried everything and know in your heart that this is where your career should be headed, then go ahead and make a change – perhaps just for some new perspective or more opportunity. It can’t hurt to try something different and see if it works better than what you’re doing now.
You deserve to work in a place where you can be your best self every day. If you’re craving something else, something different, something better?
It’s out there, and you can find it
But first, you need the clarity and confidence to take the next step. That is where a career transition coaching can be helpful. A coach can help you figure out which one is best suited for your skill set, your personal values, personality type, and lifestyle goals.