No one wants to be stuck in a dead-end job. When you go to work you want it to be with purpose, dignity, and above all else the chance to have your talents recognized. However, not every job is the one that will lead you to future success. If you’re stuck in a dead-end job then a revaluation of your career and employment may be in order. The first step is recognizing you’re in a dead-end job. If your job meets too many of the following criteria, serious career reflection may be in order.

No Clear Promotion Chain

One of the clearest signs of a job that goes nowhere is there is no clear path of what lies beyond it. If there is no clear structure of promotion or a command chain then there may be nowhere for you to promote into. Also if a role you are interested in is occupied by someone with no sign of leaving then you may have to look elsewhere.

No Variety in Tasks

Any good manager wants their workers to acquire new skills and grow into higher positions in the company. Many managers come from just such a background. The best companies invest in their staff training and grow their leadership from within. A dead-end job has none of these signs. If a company culture only cares about your existing duties and nothing else there may not be many places to advance to. If your managers actively try to stop you from learning new things that is definitely a bad sign and poor management.

They Don’t Care About Your Goals

This is an easy one. A company that doesn’t care about your future plans, goals, and professional desires is probably not too interested in promoting you. Companies that grow from within are always asking its workers what is next and where they want to be in the future. This serves two purposes. One it allows you to grow into a role you’ll fit in and two it allows the company to make the best use of your skills.

You’re Bored

Being bored is unavoidable. However, if you are bored and feel that your skills aren’t being put to their best use there could be other issues at hand. If you have no tasks that can challenge you and no roles to grow into that interest you, it may be time to move on. The worst sign is that you’ve made this known and management doesn’t seem to take it into consideration. A company that isn’t concerned with making the most of its employees gives the impression they’re only looking for warm bodies to perform tasks.

Even If You Could Get A Promotion You’re Not Interested

Some people work at a dead-end job. Others work at (in their view) dead-end companies. A key sign a job is a dead-end one is that you’re not that interested in promotion. This can stem from distaste with the company culture, not having the same vision, or not wanting to do the increased amount of work a promotion in the company would entail. A dead-end job can be one where there are promotion chances but they are not ones you find interesting.

Dead End? Now What..

The signs of a dead-end job are rather obvious once you get a clear look. The thing to take home as an employee is that if you’re seeking advancement and career growth you have to be on the lookout for it.

One of the easiest ways to get your mind moving away from a dead end job is to take a peek at what’s out there. Take a look at our job seach portal to get you started. Your dream job could be waiting to be discovered!