To Fit-In or, To Flow-In- How to Navigate Mid-Career Growth

Career progression is a constant effort. Nevertheless, there comes a stage where despite achieving a lot, it seems something is missing. It is often a space where mid-career professionals struggle to define their career paths showcase their expertise, or convey a compelling story to get that dream job or company.?

We all have seen those job descriptions (JD) highlighting 'must have', 'essential', 'highly desirable', and 'good to have skills, followed by a series of ten or more points under each of these heads. As professionals diligently scan the job requirements, they realise, oh, this is my core strength but wait, I do not have the good-to-have's, and I have less than x years of experience for the 'must have'. And after all the struggle, they finally send the profile as is and expect to get a call. On the other hand, professionals get frustrated and tend to question everything, am I in the right company? Am I in the right job? Is this all there is? These questions can be agonising when they struggle for the next level of growth, seeking fulfilment, and juggling personal and professional demands.?

"Mid-career malaise runs deep. It’s much more than just an “episodic moment” of frustration or “a particularly gruesome work project” that depletes you".?

-Gianpiero Petriglieri, associate professor of organizational behavior at INSEAD.

Making a career move vertically, horizontally, or diagonally require a very different approach, strategy and mindset. Often professionals spend hours, weeks and months applying for internal and/or external jobs or keep sulking in a role that pays during the day and takes away sleep at the night.?

While different scenarios are difficult to cover here, here are seven tips that can support mid-career growth in such situations:

1. Reflect and Reframe?

Reflect to understand what is the cause of your discontent. Is it the work, the work environment, the role, the long-awaited next promotion or is it something personal? In the younger years, we are excited about our work, progress and long-hour grills, and as we reach the mid-career juncture, we are hard-wired into our old patterns and thoughts. Petriglieri says. “you need to break down the problem and start with the place where it hurts". The response to the real cause of discomfort and stuckness defines the next course of action.

2. Reload your true expertise

In the complex, uncertain job market, there is a lot of pressure to differentiate yourself from the crowd, to be a specialist in a particular domain yet know related areas. Often such expertise makes professionals fall into different letter-box without understanding what it means and how to showcase it as a strength. Although the debate on the demand for specialists and generalists is ongoing, it is essential to use the expertise grid as a reference and align it to your actual skills, talents and interests rather than trying to fit into different titles and roles. The letter shape of employee types does not define good or bad but helps to see where you stand and whether would you like to enhance/upskill to reach your desired job.

3. Re-look at your learnings

One of the common culprits of mid-career struggle is boredom. Life and career are one big learning curve, but by the time professionals reach their mid-career, they are good at what they are doing and feel monotonous. They miss the dopamine rush that comes from new learnings and challenges. Ask yourself, is up the only way? Maybe there are lateral projects that keep you on your toes and allow you to learn. If there are no appealing openings, design one for yourself by looking into internal organization problems and coming up with solutions. Learn new skills to equip yourself to showcase your capability and be creative. Do not wait for someone to come and tell you or bring an opportunity to your desk. Your proactive action can give you a big boost and visibility, leading to new doors and assignments.

4. Redefine your purpose

The unmet desire to create an impact can be another source of unhappiness. Often unnoticed and unacknowledged, professionals are not aware of why they are doing what they are doing. To consciously seek?meaning in work and knowing the direct impact people are having, be it, customers, clients or colleagues can enable you to identify what matters most to you. Taking out time to redefine your purpose and aligning it with your expertise can give a clear direction towards achieving your next goals.?

5. Redesign your communication

Struggling silently with mental malaise will only add to the fog. Redesign your conversation with your manager, mentors, and network to seek different perspectives and advice. State clearly what you are looking for, and be open to listening; you never know who has been in your shoes once and might be able to share their learning rather than discovering it all alone. You want supporters and champions at your side to stay positive and professional during this journey, and keep away from distractors who are constantly trying to pull you down.?

6. Reach out to a Coach or a Mentor

In your circle, find someone prepared to give you an outside, unbiased perspective on your career growth and is there for advice and guidance when required.?A person who has a broader understanding or has been on a similar path, but is not directly related to your day-to-day activities. Share your career path with them, and allow them to provoke you to question your decisions and actions to help you make a well-informed choice. Create a transaction plan with them and have periodic check-ins for support and guidance to be on track with your goals.

7. Rethink your assumptions

Your struggle to fit in or flow in the career growth loop can also be due to the culture that wants to keep you in a state of being perpetually obsessed with your career. It could be that you need to seek your self-worth and satisfaction in hobbies, sports, passion and causes that are outside of work. It is true that most successful and ambitious minds are not conditioned to think from this perspective. According to Petriglieri, it is common to think,?"you are supposed to find meaning through work otherwise, you are stigmatized". To overcome this stigma, you need to accept yourself with your choices and break free from the traditional trapping of success.