Posted on: Monday, November 14, 2005
Staying put can lead to career satisfaction
By ANITA BRUZZESE
Gannett News Service
In the workplace, we often believe only those who move up the job ladder are successful. But that's a myth, because some of the happiest, most valuable workers have been in the same job for years.
In decades past, it was common for an employee to work for the same company for 30 years or more, possibly doing the same job during that time. Today, we see employees jump from employer to employer every couple of years, each time nabbing more money and more responsibility and more prestige. But the question is: Are these workers happy with their choices?
Many are, but many are not. With increased responsibility and salary often come increased stress and a feeling that the career has become a runaway train on which the individual feels a loss of satisfaction and direction.
But what if someone decided to jump off that train? What if the person decides to fulfill his or her dreams by staying in the same job, and electing not to move up?
Of course, many times that isn't possible because of downsizings and mergers and bankruptcies that displace the worker. But it's not a hard and fast rule that you must change jobs and you must always seek a promotion and you must work for several different employers over your career lifetime.
The key is being able to define what success looks like to you. If it looks like a big promotion and a corner office, fine. But it can also look like the job you do every day, year in and year out.
There is no mandate that says you cannot be perfectly content — and successful — doing exactly what you're doing now.
If you're not sure about whether you should be reaching for something more — or if there's another route — then consider some issues, such as:
Your learning curve. If you're becoming a bit bored in your job, it doesn't mean you need to get the resume ready and jump ship, or go for a promotion just because it's available. Perhaps there are some skills you could learn within your department to challenge yourself. Look at others around you who seem to have skills you do not. Working more closely with them to benefit from their skills would be a challenge to your own abilities, while increasing your value as an employee. At the same time, think of the tasks you do that you dislike the most — could these be passed on to another worker who would like to learn something new?
Thinking literally. If there's nothing within your department that interests you, look at the opportunities within other areas of your company. Have you always wanted to get into marketing or accounting? Ask someone from another department out to lunch or coffee to get an idea of the duties that might be involved. Would you need to further your education to work in that department, or could you receive on-the-job training?
Stepping back. While you may think that moving down the career ladder doesn't make any sense, for some workers, it does. Consider the nurse who loves working with patients, only to get a promotion that lands her behind a desk, doing paperwork all day. She is miserable, even though she is making more money and has a management title. Moving back to work with patients would be a smart move for her because she would be happier, and because it would make her feel successful.
Reaching out. Get involved with others in your company through community fundraising events, holiday parties or other events to get a better idea of what your employer has to offer. Spend time talking to other employees about what they like and don't like about their jobs, and the challenges they face. This kind of networking can help others become more familiar with what you have to offer and possibly help you expand your position.
