Signs you are in a dead-end career

If you’ve been in the same job for more than a few years and are stuck, it’s time to start thinking about whether your career is moving forward or backward.

The signs that you’re in a dead-end career are obvious enough after you’ve been there for a while: You can’t take on new professional challenges anymore; your work has become routine; you feel like you have no room to grow professionally; your industry is contracting or being threatened by automation; or worse yet — all of the above!

But if you’re still relatively early in your career and want to know what signs mean that it’s time to move on from a particular employer (or if you’re just curious), here are some common ones:

You have no room to grow professionally.

If you’re not learning new skills, it’s time for a career change. Are you stagnant at work? Do you feel like there are no opportunities for advancement? If so, this might signify that it’s time to move on from your current job.

It may seem daunting when we look at other people who have moved up in their careers and think: “They had their pick of jobs.” But if we take an honest look at ourselves and see what we can do better in our current positions, we’ll be able to find the right fit for our personal goals and ambitions.

Also, look at your company. Are they slowing down and not growing? Limited career opportunities may indicate the company isn’t set up to succeed and a sign you’re in a dead-end career.

Your work is being automated, outsourced, or taken over by interns.

There is no way to overstate the importance of doing what you love. It’s not just about happiness but also about feeling productive and fulfilled in your work.

When it comes to your career, getting stuck on a path that doesn’t feel like it’s leading anywhere is easy. But if you’re finding yourself in a dead-end job, know that there are signs that can help identify where your interests lie so you can make a change before it’s too late.

You might be stuck in one of these scenarios:

Your work is being automated away

If computers or software are taking over tasks that humans once handled, chances are good this means automation will result in fewer jobs available for people like you. Don’t think it can happen to you? Well, robots are coming for the trucking industry. And also fast food.

Your job is being outsourced overseas

This could mean anything from manufacturing up through services and product design—in other words, if companies are moving production outside their domestic markets (or offshoring), there may be less demand for employees who perform similar roles here at home.

Interns have taken over your position: Internships have become increasingly popular lately as companies seek out young talent with fresh ideas who don’t require salaries or benefits packages yet still want experience working within an office environment.* You don’t enjoy what others do but lack training/education necessary for more satisfying options

The industry is contracting, and companies are laying people off.

If you can’t find a job in your field, and your company is laying off employees—or even going out of business entirely—it’s a sure sign that you’re in a dead-end career.

Take the rental video industry, for example. When I was a kid in Florida, my dad opened a Network Video franchise. This was before Blockbuster hit it big (do you remember Blockbuster??). At the time, he was a pioneer because the entire industry went nuts shortly after he opened. Everyone owned a VHS player, and demand was through the roof.

Blockbuster came along and started putting everyone out of business. My dad ended up selling and moving on in his career. We didn’t think anything would stop Blockbuster from taking over the world.

And they did until Netflix came along.

Blockbuster failed because they were too big and too confident in a dying technology. They didn’t adapt to streaming services and, as a result, went out of business. (except for one location).

What’s the point of this?

If your company or industry is dying or becoming obsolete, it’s time to look at other options. And hopefully, you are not too tied to the dying industry. The VHS machine repair person is probably not getting much work these days.

You’re the only one who can do the job

You’re the only person who can do your job—and your employer doesn’t have anyone else who could replace you if they fire you.

Sounds great, right? Talk about job security!

Not so fast…

If you’re stuck in your position because there are no other people with the skills and expertise needed to take over what you do, it’s not likely that your job type is in high demand. And you may struggle to find another company to hire you.

If this describes your situation, it may be time to consider changing before things get even worse than they already are.

If this sounds familiar, ask yourself some questions:

• Do I want to be a super-specialist forever? Is my current role challenging enough for me? Am I looking for something more exciting and engaging? If so, then it might be time for a career change!
• What about my career path? Do I have control over where my career is going or does someone else dictate those decisions for me (like an employer or manager)?
• Maybe it’s time for us both—you and me—to take back control over our careers and other aspects of life too!

There isn’t a clear plan to advance your career in the next year or two.

First, you must know what you’re doing to advance your career. And taking proactive steps to ensure you’re well-qualified to progress to the next level. But you also need a supportive organization and boss.

Ask yourself this question. Does your organization talk to you about a plan for the future? Or does this get shot down when you bring it up?

If your boss doesn’t know what you want to do next, or worse, doesn’t have any realistic options for you, it’s a sign. And if they are not acting like a mentor to you, it will be more difficult to get to the next level.

Your job makes you depressed or exhausted — even when you love the work.

If you feel depressed, drained, or exhausted after a day at work, even though you love the work and feel like it’s making an impact, then chances are your career has become a dead end.

If your job causes mental or physical exhaustion, it could leave you with less energy for friends, family, and passions outside of work.

You may feel bored at work without room for growth in the organization or position. In this case, asking if this job best suits your skillset and interests is essential.

Conclusion

When you’re in a dead-end career, it’s time to make a change. No matter what stage of your professional life you’re at, there are always ways to move forward — even if it means leaving behind a job you love.

If your work is no longer fulfilling because you’ve hit a plateau or become stuck in the same position for too long, it’s time to explore other options. And if your company is struggling or laying off employees, there may be opportunities elsewhere that offer better pay and benefits or greater growth opportunities.

I specialize in helping people find their true career passion. If you’re feeling stuck and not sure where to go next, reach out to me for a private coaching session. Staying in a dead-end career is costing you more than just money. It’s costing you time.

Talk soon!

Bryan