Feeling stuck in your career?

Do you ever ask yourself, “Am I stuck in my career?” It’s a legitimate question that can trouble even the most experienced managers. And while some have reached a point in which they have hit a glass ceiling, many others have not. There are a number of factors to consider prior to drawing any solid conclusions about where your career path is headed.

Identify Your Career Goals

Taking the time to properly identify your career goals is key. Where do you see yourself in ten years? It may sound a bit cliched, but the question is nonetheless important. Having a firm grasp of your career vision is essential to ensuring that you achieve it. Perhaps you haven’t yet taken time to map out your career. This is the perfect time do so. Or maybe you have but it’s been quite some time since you last reflected on it. One thing to remember is that over time, goals and visions change. It’s easy to feel “stuck” if you are not sure where it is you really want to go.

A controller who ultimately desires to be the Financial Director of a large non-profit that makes a significant impact in the community would navigate through her career quite differently than one who intends to be the CFO of a Fortune 500 company. You can work your way to the top of the corporate ladder and still feel dissatisfied if that is not the direction you intended to go. Clarifying your career goals will help you accurately assess where you currently are on your career path. This will equip you with the information you need to decide if your current position is a good fit or if you need to change course.

Reflect on the State of Your Current Employer

Know where your company stands in the market. How well is it performing in comparison to its competitors? Are you aware of any growth trends? Have there been any recent budget cuts or restructuring? Being part of a strong company is a great precursor to your upward mobility. Companies are more likely to offer opportunities for career growth when business is going well.

Keep an eye on any significant changes. Perhaps your company is considering an IPO or preparing for a sale. Going public can cause many ramifications. Major structural changes are also important to be aware of. For instance, discussions of potential acquisitions or mergers could impact your current position. There’s also the possibility that your ideal position could be created or eliminated. Keep in mind that there may be new opportunities for you to take advantage of, depending on your previous work experience, and you should always be prepared to take a shot at a higher position if your prior experience makes you a good fit. Staying abreast of what is currently happening within the organization will help you better predict and determine what role your time there will play in your career.

How Long Have You Been in Your Current Role Relative to Others at the Company?

Another factor to consider is how long you have been in your current role. When comparing your response to others at the company, you may notice a pattern. If most of the other managers and executives have held their positions for five years or more, you can assume that it is common for the leaders within the organization to work in the same position for many years before being promoted. Therefore, holding your position for a year or two would be considered relatively normal in the grand scheme of things and in no way signal that you are “stuck.”

Understanding the landscape of where you are working can help prevent a great deal of stress and worry in regards to your future. Different companies mean different company cultures, and there’s no better way to understand how your company functions internally than through observation and asking questions.

How Have Your Reviews Been?

Another important thing to note is your performance. Annual reviews provide the appropriate feedback you need to determine how much value you bring to the company. Becoming anxious about your career can sometimes have less to do with the company and more to do with your level of experience. In many cases, employees must already be assuming a majority of the responsibilities for that next job prior to receiving a promotion. After all, how else can a company gain confidence that you have what it will take to succeed at the next level before officially promoting you?

Build a strong relationship with your supervisor. After each performance review, you should have a better idea of the skills you need to develop to grow in the organization. Your supervisor should be able to paint a picture that clearly shows you how to bridge the gap between where you currently are in your career and where you desire to go, at least within the organization. And depending on his temperament, as some managers are brutally honest, he may give you insight into how feasible your goals fit in with the company culture altogether, i.e., how likely you are to achieve them there. Listen objectively and consider the strategies you will use to integrate his suggestions into your work and development.

Be Optimistic

Don’t fault yourself for having doubts regarding your career progress. You are not alone. The good news is that most doubts can be relieved with some reflections, research and a few conversations. The truth is, you are never ever really “stuck.” It’s merely a state of mind. If you find yourself unhappy with how your career path is going, all you need to do is assess your career goals (know what you want), determine how the company you are currently working for affects your goals, determine how your experience level affects them, and decide the best course of action.

What are some strategies you have used to get out of a career rut?