Most people don't want to admit to themselves - or to anyone else - that they may be stuck in their jobs. That is, until it may be too late, according to according to ClearRock.

"Unless a job is interfering with one's personal life and causing real unhappiness, people prefer not to deal with being plateaued in their careers, or not being appreciated or recognized as much as they would like to be. Especially in a time of rising job cutbacks and unemployment, said Annie Stevens, managing partner with ClearRock.

"But over time, that feeling about being 'stuck' in your job can really eat away at you, and spill over into other aspects of your life. It needs to be addressed because things are not going to get better by themselves, added Greg Gostanian, managing partner with ClearRock.

ClearRock cautions people to look out for these seven signs that you may be stuck in your job, and what to do about them:

" You don't feel challenged by your job anymore. "If you feel, 'What's the point?' Or you feel older than you really are. If you regard your job as irrelevant, not in sync with the times, unrewarding, and/or unfulfilling, these are all signs that it might be time to try to find another job with your current employer if you can and want to - or to launch a search to find a job with another employer, said Stevens.

" You're unhappy with going into work each day. "If you're constantly making excuses and playing hooky from your job, or a job that used to make you feel happy has gotten old, it's time to make a change. Determine whether your job or your employer is the real reason you are unhappy, said Gostanian.

" You have stopped growing - in your job, with your employer, and/or in your profession. "Career development opportunities have become increasingly important for all levels of employees. In an era when jobs are only secure up until the next downsizing announcement, the accumulation of a portable portfolio of skills that employees can take with them to other employers or industries is a top priroty, said Stevens.

" Your achievements and accomplishments have not been recognized or rewarded. "All employees want to receive recognition for a job well done, if not always a promotion or a monetary reward. People want their employers to share their successes with co-workers.. The recognition could be simply a company memento, or mention in an e-mail or newsletter, said Gostanian.

" You have taken a passive approach to your career. "Your main focus is on doing just enough to get by in your job, rather than updating your knowledge and skills, and acquiring new networking contacts. The more you let yourself fall behind in skills and contacts, the more difficult it is going to be when you want to get out - quickly, said Stevens.

" You aren't being paid what you're worth. "Pay is one of the first signs employees notice that something is wrong about their jobs. When someone with less experience and/or fewer responsibilities comes aboard at a higher salary, or your pay isn't keeping pace with your increasing experience and responsibilities - and this isn't a function of your employer's economic difficulties- that may be a not-so-subtle sign something is amiss, said Gostanian.

" You aren't receiving the respect you feel you deserve. "Everyone needs to be treated with dignity and respect at work. The way your manager and co-workers talk with and about you, and the types of assignments you receive, are an indication of your value in the workplace, said Stevens.

A good starting point to resolving a "stuck career is a frank discussion with your manager to help you determine whether there is still potential for you with your current employer - by receiving more challenging work, transferring to another department - or whether you need to leave in order to find the challenges, compensation, and recognition you seek, according to Stevens.

"However, you also need to be realistic with yourself over whether staying with your employer will help much, added Gostanian. "Determine whether the relationship between you and your job is worth salvaging. Rate the major factors such as compensation and benefits, opportunity for advancement, relationships with your managers and co-workers, and how much you really like the job as either positives or negatives. Then, see whether there are more plusses or minuses to guide you on whether to stay and try to work things out, or to leave.





ClearRock is an executive coaching and outplacement firm that is recognized for genuinely caring about the people we work with. When a company brings us onboard, you can be certain it is because they feel the same way. That is why it is no surprise that we consistently find ourselves in the employ of companies rated among the "Best Places to Work in Boston by the Boston Business Journal.  www.clearrock.com.