Signs and Causes of Career Stagnancy

Sometimes, you may feel like you have stopped experiencing progress in your career but you need a fairy to confirm it to you. However, the truth is that you need no fairy to tell you, the signs are always there. Considering that a career is commonly referred to as a journey, it is normal to experience both growth and stagnation. However, if you start to experience career stagnation, it is important to see it and start to tackle it before it causes severe damage to your career.

What is career stagnancy? 

Career stagnancy is referred to as a period where an individual has stopped advancing in their career and there is no obvious or significant improvement in their current role. This technically means that a person finds it difficult to move up the corporate ladder like so many of their peers. During this period, there will be no promotions or substantial responsibilities that can land them one. Also, they may not be able to take new courses that can enhance their skill development, making it very hard to improve in their career. 

Career stagnancy can happen to anyone and even without knowing, it starts from the smallest of things. This is why you, as a career person, must be alert to recognize when stagnation begins to set into your career. 

How do I know if it is career stagnancy? 

When your career begins to come to a halt unexpectedly, the signs will be there. However, if you need to be sure, here are the signs to look out for: 

Stagnant Salary 

If you have been earning the same salary for years, without any significant increase, it can be a sign that your career has taken an unusual stop. Sometimes, you may need to assess yourself, skills, experience, and expertise and ask for a raise if you deserve it. This may come off as being too forward to you but you need to know that it is wrong to keep getting the same amount of remuneration for an extended period. Also, you can consider if there are career advancement opportunities within your company that can make you earn more and explore them. However, if your company is not on the same page as you, you may need to start finding a new job that will pay you better. 

Little or no job satisfaction

The moment you start to feel less excited or fulfilled about your job, it is most likely that you have started to experience stagnation. Job satisfaction is undoubtedly important for you to progress in your career. While this may not only be a sign of stagnation, you need to identify why you are no longer happy with your job to be sure. However, if you can see the writings clearly on the wall, then you should start searching for options elsewhere. 

You are not using your skills as such 

If it took you months of dedication and investment to master a skill and you are not using it, then something smells like stagnancy. Your skills are valuable assets and should be put to use as well as developed. So, instead of letting your skills stay unused and the same, make a move. Check out for jobs that may need skills and apply to as many as possible. Also, don’t forget that you may need to start enhancing your skills to take it from where it currently is to a new level. 

You struggle with productivity

When you are stuck with doing the same thing over and over without seeing progress while at it, your productivity level will drop. The only reason you are struggling with being productive is because you can’t move forward and you don’t know the next step to take, so there is little that you can do. If you have started to feel this way, then you must know that your career has stopped progressing and you must act fast. If you need to take a break, which in most cases is helpful, don’t hesitate. 

You can no longer lay your hands on opportunities

Many opportunities come with fulfilling some criteria and if you are unable to meet these criteria, you may lose the opportunity. Your inability to explore these opportunities can be a sign of stagnancy. So, be on the lookout, if you notice that it is becoming too much of a chore to find an opportunity, it may be that your career is stagnant and you need to get to work. In cases like this, you may have to focus on acquiring new skills and qualifications that are common and relevant to your field of career. 

What causes career stagnancy? 

Before the signs of stagnancy start to manifest, they have been fueled by certain actions which include: 

Working with a company for too long without any major progress

There is no need to stay with an organization for long if you are not experiencing any form of growth. If you feel that your current job is not helping you to grow or move towards your goals, you should not keep staying there. Because, if you don’t, it will be long until you achieve any goal that you have set for yourself. So, if you are finding it hard to leave a job that you’ve been working for long without any major changes or progress, that may be the cue you need to know that you are starting to be stagnant in your career. 

Outdated skills

You can’t keep using the same skill set without updating them and not expect to experience stagnancy. The only way to keep progressing in your career is to continually take lifelong lessons, attend workshops and seminars, and earn certifications. All of these activities will help you update your skills and get familiar with the new ones in demand. 

No career Direction

It’s just like leaving your house without a clear direction, chances are you will be in the same space for a long time or you will keep merry-go-rounding in the same spot. The case is the same for anyone who doesn’t have clear career goals. Career goals provide you with a roadmap and a purpose that helps you to make the best decisions. So, with a good direction, you may not feel stuck but on the flip side, you may be moving down the path of stagnation. 

Bad networking

There is a solid idea behind meeting new people. This is because several professionals within your field can link you up with opportunities or even give these opportunities to you directly. So, if you are not socializing and networking, you may remain in the same place in your career for even a longer time. Networking is not just about what people can do for you but what you can do for them too. It is a “rub my back, I rub your back” thing. Don’t stall, invest so much time in meeting people and discussing what you can do. This is how you combat stagnation. 

Very poor personal branding

If you are a career person, your personal branding is important. You are a big deal, an asset, and a huge talent, and should act accordingly. Your personal brand is how you present yourself to the world and if you are not keen on doing a good job with your personal branding, this may cause your career to go stagnant. Many times, a career requires a big level of push and if it does get this, it doesn’t move. Hence, it is up to you to get things moving for you. This is your cue to not slack. 

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