What is a career rut and how to deal with it as an employee, employer

Something similar transpired with Vignesh Raghupathy, an HR professional with six years of experience. Raghupathy recalled that “under a tremendous amount of work pressure, lack of support from his team, and even lack of clarity from the company”, he had to take a “tough call” to move out of that zone to restart afresh in a new environment with a new team.

Feeling stuck in a job with monotony and reduced productivity is like being trapped in a rut. It causes a feeling of resentment and disappointment in any extremely demanding workplace environment. “A career rut is a situation where you feel stuck or stagnant in your professional life, experiencing a lack of growth, satisfaction, or motivation in your current job or career path. You characterise it by a sense of monotony, disillusionment, and the feeling of being trapped in a professional routine that no longer brings fulfillment or progress,” said Dr Somdutta Singh, serial entrepreneur, founder and CEO Assiduus Global Inc, and advisor, Govt of India (core committee member of WEP-Niti Aayog).

A career rut is not just about disliking your job — it is more like a mix of factors that make you feel stuck. It could be that your values do not match your job, you are burnt out, or you are not learning anything new. Think of it like trying to solve a puzzle; you need to know what pieces are causing the problem before you can fix it.

“Recognising the signs of a career rut is the first step towards reclaiming control over your professional life. Whether it is a lack of enthusiasm, monotony in daily tasks, or a persistent feeling of unfulfillment, acknowledging these feelings is crucial for personal and professional growth,” said Jaisleen Kaur, image consultant, soft skills trainer and life coach, Dehradun.

Here’s a guide:

As an employer

Experts suggest that various factors, such as work-life imbalance, poor leadership, and communication issues, can lead to burnout and a negative work environment. “Ignoring crucial elements like purpose, continuous learning, feedback, a positive company culture, and aligning job roles with skills and values also adds to employee demotivation,” said Neelabh Shukla, chief business officer, Careernet.

Organisations should tackle root causes and implement strategies for better job satisfaction and performance (Source: Freepik)

Employers need to be vigilant about recognising signs of employee disengagement and frustration. “I have seen how regular check-ins, performance reviews, and open communication channels can help identify issues early on. Implementing robust career development programmes can empower employees to acquire new skills and take on challenging projects,” asserted Dr Singh, adding that he strives to provide opportunities for training, mentorship, and advancement within the organisation which helps “reinvigorate employee motivation”.

As an employee

For Bhawna Kapoor Bajpai, who “wasn’t feeling fulfilled” in her work as a publicist after delivering her child, overcoming the stagnancy meant looking for mentorship and learning new skills. “It made me feel unsatisfied with my existing responsibilities and cut off from my passion which is public dealing. Being a publicist, it is very important to be in the limelight and constantly in touch with my audience and clients. Physical weakness and postpartum depression were the main causes of everything that transpired. It lasted for around 1.5 years. However, I regained my confidence, made new goals for myself, looked for mentorship, and eventually picked up a new skill of content writing,” Kapoor Bajpai shared.

Dr Singh noted that employees should engage in self-reflection to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and passions. “Understanding personal career goals and values helps in making informed decisions about professional paths. If you’re feeling stuck, you should communicate openly with seniors, team leads, or managers about your concerns and aspirations. Constructive dialogues always lead to solutions, such as role adjustments, project changes, or additional responsibilities,” said Dr Singh.

Additionally, take initiative. “Self-improvement through continuous learning and skill development is crucial. Attend workshops, pursue certifications, or seek mentorship to enhance expertise and open up new career avenues,” said Dr Singh.

Seeking guidance from mentors or colleagues who have navigated similar challenges provides invaluable insights, shared Shiv Rajvanshi, an entrepreneur.

Build a professional network that will provide exposure to different industries, job roles, and opportunities. “Networking, for every person in the industry, irrespective of industry vertical or position can offer insights, mentorship, and potential career changes that will align better with their goals,” said Dr Singh.

Dealing with a career rut is about a holistic approach that combines self-reflection, goal-setting, continuous learning, networking, resilience, and a willingness to embrace change, ultimately fostering a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment in one’s professional life, added Rajvanshi.

What to keep in mind

*Begin by reflecting on your career journey so far and identifying your core values, strengths, and passions, said Kaur. Set realistic and achievable short-term and long-term goals that align with your aspirations. This process provides clarity and a sense of purpose, serving as a roadmap for navigating the career rut.

*Diversifying and upskilling beyond a specific job role is crucial to prevent long-term stagnation and foster continuous personal and professional growth.

Upskilling can help overcome a career rut (Source: Freepik)

*Building a support system through mentoring and networking is equally important, allowing individuals to connect with professionals or seniors for insights into the reasons behind career stagnation and strategies for improvement.

*In cases where the workplace constrains growth opportunities, exploring alternative career paths becomes an option.

“While this might require time and additional resources, individuals can consider short-term assignments and part-time jobs to gain a better understanding of what suits them best,” said Shukla.

Workplace Wellbeing is a weekly series about the ins and outs of our work lives.