Overcome career stagnation

This time of year lends itself well to reflecting on our career journeys and thinking about the new goals for growth and development we'd like to set. But what if you're feeling stuck or stagnant in your current role?

Career stagnation can be a frustrating and demotivating experience, but it doesn't have to be a permanent state.?

In this edition of the Get Hired newsletter, we'll explore practical strategies to overcome career stagnation and reignite your professional growth. Whether you're looking to advance in your current field or pivot to a new career path, these tips will help you take charge of your career and achieve your goals in the coming year.

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What is career stagnation?

If you have ever felt you're not being challenged in your job or can see no opportunities for advancement, then you likely know what career stagnation is. Common signs include a lack of motivation, disengagement or boredom with work, as well as the absence of new responsibilities or promotions.?

Several factors can contribute to career stagnation, such as limited growth opportunities within the organisation, a lack of skill development or even burnout from prolonged periods of high stress. Recognising these signs and understanding the underlying causes is the first step towards overcoming it and reigniting your professional growth.

Take action

Start with a personal career audit to evaluate your current position, achievements and areas where you feel unfulfilled, says career coach Lola Brocklesby. Grab a pen and paper and write down how long you've been feeling stuck in your career. Ask yourself why you think you feel this way, what it may be linked to and what you have done to remedy the situation so far. Once you've got a handle on the situation, you can do something about it, writes Brocklesby.

Next, think about things such as the last time you felt excited about work, something you felt proud of in your career and someone you admire at work. Go through these questions and be honest, says Brocklesby. This exercise can help you "get to know yourself" and figure out whether you can get what you need from the role you're in or if you need to move on, she adds.

Another way to craft your action plan is to pretend you can time-travel, says coaching psychologist Carol Stewart. In the video below, she suggests a simple exercise: fast forward to your 80th birthday and imagine how you would like to look back on your career from there. What impact do you hope you will have had? What goals do you hope to have met in your career??

"Write this out and once you've got that vision…or how you want to be talking about your career at a time when you are well-retired. Then think about how that can shape what action you take now."

Get learning

Continuous learning and skill development are essential for overcoming career stagnation.? Upskilling and reskilling can open new doors and keep you competitive in your field.?

The most successful professionals view learning as a lifelong journey, not a destination, says career coach Padma Knowles. But it doesn't mean you have to go to university. "Whether it's online courses, industry certifications or workshops, commit to expanding your knowledge base," she writes.

By dedicating time to enhance your skill set, you not only increase your value to your current employer but also make yourself more attractive to potential future employers. This kind of adaptability is key to beating stagnation, says Knowles. "Develop cross-functional skills that make you valuable beyond your immediate job description. The more versatile your skill set, the more opportunities you'll attract."

Networking and your personal brand

A strong professional network can be a great source of support and mentorship – particularly when you feel at sea in your career.?

"Who you know matters as much as what you know," says career coach Melanie Mitchell Wexler . "Attend events, join groups and don’t shy away from a little strategic LinkedIn sliding," she writes.?

By engaging with peers, industry leaders and potential employers both online and in person, you can stay informed about the latest trends and opportunities in your field. And remember: networking is a two-way street, so offer help and share knowledge to build meaningful and mutually beneficial professional relationships.

Another tip from Wexler: fine-tune your personal brand. "Your online presence = your digital handshake. Share insights, engage in discussions and let your expertise shine." Step outside your comfort zone and say 'yes' to stretch projects, leadership opportunities or "even that job switch you've been pondering", she adds.

More tips to overcome career stagnation:

• "For a lot of us, there's a fear of 'career stagnation', but for neurodivergent folk, this can trigger a particular thought process", writes recruitment expert Thomas Woodhams . Check out his advice on the importance of taking a "baby steps" approach here.
• "A couple of times in my career I have lost my mojo and stalled. When I reflect back now, I realise that I had moved away from the things I loved doing, the things I was energised by," writes career development coach Ellie Rich-Poole . She shares some key questions to ask yourself, which can help you refocus and plan ahead.?
• "I decided to reframe being 'lost' as being 'at a crossroads'. I started to look at myself through a different lens and switched gears from 'victim mode' into 'accountability mode'": Founder and career expert, Amy Weidner , shares her personal story of refocusing her career after a setback. Read her tips here.

Have you ever felt stuck in your career? What advice do you have to overcome stagnation and make a fresh start to the new year? Share your thoughts in a post or in the comments below.

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