Sometimes, a job--even a pretty good one--can start to feel like it's "going nowhere." But although you may want to advance your career, you may not be in a position to look for a new job. Maybe you're in an industry where staffing is still tight. Or maybe you just started a new job, and you'd like to put in a few years before moving on. Or maybe you can't take a financial risk right now.
Whatever the case, there are small changes you can make that will boost your career without giving it a major overhaul. We asked several experts for their tips:
1. Improve relations with your boss.
Your direct supervisor is one of the most important people in your professional life. If that relationship is feeling strained, get back into your boss's good graces by figuring out how to best communicate with him or her, suggests Katherine Reynolds Lewis, a workplace journalist for About.com and the Fiscal Times. "So often, managers have so little time to do the management, so you have to manage up," she says. Ask your supervisor if you can schedule a weekly check-in meeting. Or if your manager is more spontaneous, strike up a conversation and subtly mention your latest accomplishments. "Don't assume that your boss knows when you've done a great job," urges Lewis.
Your direct supervisor is one of the most important people in your professional life. If that relationship is feeling strained, get back into your boss's good graces by figuring out how to best communicate with him or her, suggests Katherine Reynolds Lewis, a workplace journalist for About.com and the Fiscal Times. "So often, managers have so little time to do the management, so you have to manage up," she says. Ask your supervisor if you can schedule a weekly check-in meeting. Or if your manager is more spontaneous, strike up a conversation and subtly mention your latest accomplishments. "Don't assume that your boss knows when you've done a great job," urges Lewis.
2. Beat procrastination or lateness.
If you struggle with tardiness or procrastination, then Fearless Career coach Victoria Ashford suggests owning up to the weakness and enlisting coworkers to help you stay accountable. "The biggest hindrance is not having a good support system," she explains. "Tell people, 'This is a problem for me,' and get them to share their techniques." Understanding the consequences can also help. "If you're not there on time, the door gets closed for a meeting," says Ashford, "and the embarrassment of you peeking through the glass reinforces the need to be on time."
If you struggle with tardiness or procrastination, then Fearless Career coach Victoria Ashford suggests owning up to the weakness and enlisting coworkers to help you stay accountable. "The biggest hindrance is not having a good support system," she explains. "Tell people, 'This is a problem for me,' and get them to share their techniques." Understanding the consequences can also help. "If you're not there on time, the door gets closed for a meeting," says Ashford, "and the embarrassment of you peeking through the glass reinforces the need to be on time."
3. Set goals for yourself.
So many workers focus on slogging through the workday that they forget to set goals. But motivational coach Steve Frank says that it's important to set goals and write them down. "Then break your goals down into smaller goals, so you have things to celebrate along the way," he adds. If you work in HR and your goal is to reduce turnover by 30 percent, then first think about how you can reduce it by 10 percent or 15 percent, and reward yourself for hitting those milestones.
So many workers focus on slogging through the workday that they forget to set goals. But motivational coach Steve Frank says that it's important to set goals and write them down. "Then break your goals down into smaller goals, so you have things to celebrate along the way," he adds. If you work in HR and your goal is to reduce turnover by 30 percent, then first think about how you can reduce it by 10 percent or 15 percent, and reward yourself for hitting those milestones.
4. Tackle new projects.
"This is a great time to create a new job within your job," says Ashford. Volunteer for the task no one else wants. Suggest a new project that you can spearhead to boost your skill set. Look for ways to save your company money. "If you can find a way to copy paper cheaper, you're going to be the shining star," adds Ashford. Making yourself indispensable helps solidify your position within the company and ensure that you'll have strong references when it's time to move on.
"This is a great time to create a new job within your job," says Ashford. Volunteer for the task no one else wants. Suggest a new project that you can spearhead to boost your skill set. Look for ways to save your company money. "If you can find a way to copy paper cheaper, you're going to be the shining star," adds Ashford. Making yourself indispensable helps solidify your position within the company and ensure that you'll have strong references when it's time to move on.
5. Polish your resume--just in case.
You should keep your resume up-to-date even when you aren't actively looking for a job. However, as Lewis says, "Polishing your resume shouldn't be about moving words around on paper. It's about getting things on your resume that will get you to that next level. Working on the fonts and formatting can be an excuse to procrastinate."
You should keep your resume up-to-date even when you aren't actively looking for a job. However, as Lewis says, "Polishing your resume shouldn't be about moving words around on paper. It's about getting things on your resume that will get you to that next level. Working on the fonts and formatting can be an excuse to procrastinate."
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