Feeling stuck in your career? What are the signs of career limbo?

Do you ever feel stuck at work? Or do you feel like you are not getting what you want out of your career. You may be experiencing what experts call career limbo.

So what is career limbo, what are the signs, and what can you do about it?

What is career limbo?

Career Limbo occurs when people feel like they are in a rut and unsure of what to do next. Those experiencing career limbo will start doubting whether their current role is the right one for them. They may also feel a loss of motivation.

Experts commonly associate career limbo with those later in their working life. However, they warn it can happen at any point in your career.

What are the signs?

There are many signs you may be feeling stuck at work. These include:

• You don’t want to go to work: Do you spend Sunday nights dreading the thought of going to work the next day? While many people have these feelings, if they are persistent, it could be a sign you are feeling stuck in your career.
• You regularly feel dissatisfied with work: Many people will feel dissatisfied with their careers at some point. However, if you experience these feelings regularly, it may be a sign you are experiencing career limbo.
• You feel a lack of motivation towards your role: Do you find that you don’t care about your job or achieving results as much as you used to?
• You feel bored at work: Do you feel as though you aren’t learning anything new at work? Or do you no longer feel challenged by your role?
• Your performance has declined: Do you feel like you aren’t as productive at work as you used to be?

How to overcome career limbo

• Determine the cause: Think about why you feel this way. Does your work no longer interest you, or do you feel a mismatch between your values and your employer’s?
• Evaluate your goals and values: Determine what it is you want out of your career. A good way of doing this is to picture where you see yourself in five or ten years. Consider whether your current role can provide that.
• Play to your strengths: It can be tempting to think about your career in relation to things you can’t do or skills you don’t have. However, you should instead consider what you are good at. Does your current role give you opportunities to use these strengths?
• Look at your current role: When you are feeling stuck in your role, it’s tempting to think you need to switch jobs straight away. However, this may not always be possible or advisable. Consider whether there are ways you can increase your motivation without changing roles.
• Learn something new: A big reason many workers feel stuck is because they are not learning anything new.
• Seek guidance: A mentor can provide a useful sounding board for you to share your concerns with. Let your colleagues, friends and family know how you are feeling. They may be able to provide social and emotional support.
• Expand your networks: Meeting new people can help you gain new skills and prepare you for opportunities you might not have considered previously.
• Explore change: Sometimes, feeling stuck is a sign that major changes are needed in your professional life. Consider whether it is time for a new job, or even a new career.

Remember, career limbo is something many people experience in their working life and the feelings won’t last forever.

Are you unsure where your career is heading next? Public Service Resumes can help. We are pleased to offer various services including career development coaching and interview skills coaching.