Are you feeling stuck in a rut at work?

If you have held the same title and job description for a long time, you might feel like you are stagnating or being left behind. But, just because the status quo hasn’t changed on the surface, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t aging like a fine wine.

You may well have upped the ante in terms of your knowledge and skills, and if your boss hasn’t taken notice, it may be a worthwhile endeavor to find out why.

If your title hasn’t changed, if you haven’t had a raise or a promotion in a while, don’t fret. Usually, there are pretty clear signs that you have bettered your skill set, even if you don’t realize it yourself.

Five Signs That It Might Be Time For You To Move Up In Your Job

1) You consistently receive praise and positive feedback for your work

Take note of how your feedback has changed over time. Perhaps things didn’t begin so smoothly, but now you breeze through your assignments like it’s what you were born to do. The praise you receive these days bears little resemblance to the early days.

2) You’re working smarter, not harder

You likely find that you are completing your assignments in a fraction of the time you used to take. You no longer have to ask so many questions or ask for support. In fact, people are asking YOU for help because they know you’ve got the answers.

3) Your confidence shines through

In meetings, you used to be the one listening, taking notes, but not chiming in. Today, you are an integral part of the conversation. You know your value, and you aren’t afraid to show it.

4) You have less oversight

It’s easy to tell when your managers trust you because they don’t feel the need to micromanage or check your work. They are confident in what you can accomplish, and they depend on your contribution. This speaks volumes.

5) You are doing things now that you previously never thought yourself capable of

If you look back to when you started your tenure in this role, you wouldn’t be able to fathom doing some of the things you do now as a matter of course. Your former self would have been terrified of your present self’s to-do list. You’ve come a long way!

What Happens Next?

Now that we’ve established your unarguable awesomeness, what now?

At the very least, it’s time for you to tell your boss that you’re ready for new challenges and more responsibility. When you sit down for your next review or feedback session, talk about the things you’re doing now and what additional projects you would like to take on.

If you feel that there is another position that would be a good fit for you, do mention it at this time. While the improvements might be evident to you, your boss might be occupied with too many other things to really take notice. Be sure to document some of your key points before going into the meeting so you can organize your thoughts.

In the end, you’ve come a long way. It’s time to reap the rewards.

If you are thinking about changing jobs or looking for your next career challenge, reach out to Professional Alternatives today!

To any recent college graduates reading this, congratulations on your hard work and dedication that goes in to achieving your diploma. After all of what goes into those 4 years, we know that you want a career that you can be proud of. That is why you should meet with a recruiter at Professional Alternatives upon graduation, this can enhance your career search significantly. So many recent college graduates leave without knowing where to start next on finding a job that suites them. Here are some tips if you proceed on teaming with a recruiter after graduation.

Resumes

Have a resume that includes all of your education, past employment/internships, organizations involved with and volunteer work. It is important to frame all aspects of your activities in your college years if you were not able to work or have an internship. The more information your recruiter has from you, the better they can make your resume to present to a future employer for an interview.

Mindset

Come with an open mind that your first job will most likely be an entry level position. Have realistic expectations with your recruitment professional as no one will find you the perfect job without you doing the necessary work on your side. The recruiter can only do so much; you have to help the recruiter help you.

Availability

Be open and available to all possible positions that your recruiter will present to you that match your skill set and personality. Direct hire or a temp-to-hire position, either or you should not focus on that, but more so focus on the position at hand. Focus on the experience you will receive, that will add to your resume in the future.

Honesty

Be honest with your likes and dislikes to help the recruiter understand what company culture you belong in. As well as your wants and needs from a company! The more open and honest you are with your communication to your recruiter, the better off you will be. This is how you form a relationship with your recruiter and where they can really understand you to find the best fit possible for you.

Listening

Listen to what advice your recruiter has for you. You are fresh out of college diving into the job market. Our recruiters have been doing this for over 20 years, they know what it looks like out there. Here at Professional Alternatives our recruiters truly care about YOU, and want the best possible option for you. You are not just a number to our company, like how most staffing agencies come off as in today’s world.

Do you have more questions about the recruiting process? Please feel free to reach out to Professional Alternatives! Contact us at 713-572-2100 or email us at resumes@proalt.com. Our mission is to provide our candidates and clients with the highest level of expertise to insure a smooth and enjoyable experience when working with our staffing solutions firm.