We are often limited in our thinking when it comes to finding a new career. We feel stuck in the career we’ve built after years in university, all our hard work, and the accolades we’ve built along the way. In some ways, our career feels like a part of who we are. But what if we no longer feel connected to that part of ourselves? What if we dread going to work and find what we do unfulfilling and endlessly draining?
Is it normal to feel stuck in your career?
Often we have mentally branded who we are as what we do. We think only in terms of our role: a lawyer, an engineer, an administrator, etc. What if we didn’t define ourselves by what we do—but rather shared the story of who we are and what we’ve built along the way?
There is a lot of talk today about creating a personal brand. But something more effective than a personal brand—is a personal branding story. Rather than be defined by your role, you can share your strengths and abilities behind what you do. Because the idea of a role keeps you locked in one career, but your story and your skills are often transferrable to other industries.
What to do when you feel trapped in a job?
Creating a personal branding story can help you realize your superpowers, your strengths, and help open doors for other job opportunities. By telling a personal branding story, you highlight the uniqueness of who you are and the value you bring with you.
Rebrand Yourself: The Formula for Personal Branding
Your Personal Mission Statement + Your Superpowers + Your Accomplishments
= Your Personal Branding Story
Your personal branding story is your professional reputation and is often summed up in what people say about you when you’re not in the room. It makes you memorable and helps you stand out amongst other job candidates.
Your Personal Mission Statement
Start by establishing your mission statement. This statement shows the values behind what you do and what you hope to achieve in your next job position.
Example:
“I am a creative and innovative leader, and I love to oversee projects from start to finish.”
Define your “Superpowers”
Follow your mission statement by defining your “superpowers,” or your skills and strengths that are unique to you. They can be a combination of soft skills and acquired skills—but they are unique to you based on your accomplishments that support them. Often we have skillsets and traits that you won’t necessarily find defined in a job posting, but they may be valuable and transferrable across many industries.
Your Career Accomplishments
Once you’ve established these unique superpowers, match each one with a story that supports these special strengths. Supporting stories can be described as—but not limited to—any of the following:
- You oversaw a project or managed a company and can demonstrate the money, revenue, or sales that were increased or saved under your leadership.
- You consistently fell within the scope of the budgets you created for all your projects.
- Provide the number of users that purchased your end product.
- Share projects where you’ve worked within deadlines.
- Show an example of where you’ve increased efficiency in a project.
- Share feedback or a customer service score you’ve received in the past.
- You came up with a creative solution that increased productivity.
- You came up with an innovation that changed the way your company performed and did business.
- You created an initiative for an inclusive environment.
Here’s an example continuing with the mission statement previously mentioned:
“I have led 23 projects to date, overseeing over 76 team members. Within each project, I stayed on budget and ensured an increase in revenue in the outcome of the project. I saw the growth potential in my employees and helped them ascend in their careers. I have over 7 years of experience leading teams, completing projects, and building better business practices.”
Don’t have any numbers or data to brag about? Not to worry. There are a lot of skills that aren’t listed on a job application but can be extremely valuable as well. For example:
- You have an impeccable memory. You worked with over 200 clients, never forgetting their names or stories.
- You are highly empathetic and were able to understand your audience’s needs from multiple angles.
- From past experience, you have a high level of conflict management and were routinely able to manage and dissolve conflict between employees.
- You’re a fast learner. You once entered a job without any experience and learned everything required within two weeks—eventually superseding the sales of senior members of your team.
Once you stop limiting yourself to being defined by your role or title, you open up the opportunity to find a new career path. Once you have created your personal branding story, you can go from:
“I was a chef for 18 years.”
To:
“I am a dedicated, innovative, creative leader, and have the ability to organize large-scale projects. I connect individually with clients to ensure they know we are dedicated to serving them an outstanding experience.
I spent the last 18 years in lead management roles, orchestrating large teams of 15+ staff members, organizing events for 150+ people, including events for the governor and legislative assembly members, maintaining a loyal clientele, increasing sales by 30%, staying within food and labor costs, as well as consistently establishing a safe and inclusive workplace.”
Tie Your Personal Branding Story into Your Next Role
Once you’ve established your personal branding story, you can tie it into the role you want to apply for by stating the value you will bring to their business. Show how your story ties into the company you are applying to.
“My creative and solution-oriented mentality will help increase company growth by creating an innovative and unique client-centered marketing experience.”
Don’t Face Career Stagnation Alone: Seek Support and Guidance
Feeling stuck in your career can be incredibly challenging. It’s a situation that many people find themselves in, and it’s important to remember that you don’t have to navigate this difficult time alone.
Crafting your personal brand and making a career change often involves a journey of self-discovery. It’s common to face a lot of questions and uncertainties along the way. That’s why seeking support from mentors, career clarity coaches, and other job seekers who have been in similar situations can be invaluable.
FAQs About feeling stuck in your career
What are the symptoms of a career plateau?
Symptoms of a career plateau include a noticeable lack of growth opportunities, where you feel like you've hit the ceiling in your role with no room for advancement. You might experience boredom and disinterest, as daily tasks no longer provide excitement or challenge. Decreased motivation is common, making it hard to stay engaged with work. If you find yourself stagnating, not learning new skills or acquiring new knowledge, it indicates a plateau. Additionally, if your ambitions remain unfulfilled despite your efforts, it’s a sign that you may be stuck in a career plateau.
How do you know if a career path is not for you?
A career path may not be for you if there’s a mismatch between your job and your personal values, leaving you feeling unfulfilled and disconnected. Persistent discontent and unhappiness with your work environment or role are clear indicators. A lack of passion for your daily tasks and responsibilities can also signal that the career path isn’t right. If you feel that your skills and talents are underutilized and not recognized, or if your job is negatively impacting your health and well-being, it may be time to reconsider your career path.
How do I know if I picked the wrong career?
You might have picked the wrong career if you frequently regret your choice and wonder how different or better your life might be in a different field. Constant daydreaming about other professions or roles that seem more fulfilling can also be a sign. If your current career doesn’t align with your long-term personal or professional goals, it might not be the right fit. Ongoing frustration with your career’s direction or role responsibilities, combined with a sense of feeling trapped despite your efforts to change, can indicate that you’re in the wrong career.
About the author
I’m Theresa White, a Career Clarity Coach, Job Search Strategist, and President of Career Bloom. With a background in Recruiting, Human Resources, and Management
After struggling with career uncertainty and the fear of starting over, I finally discovered my true calling and found a job that makes me excited to wake up every day. This clarity transformed my career and filled me with joy, knowing I’m doing work that truly matters. How did I achieve this? By gaining crystal-clear insight into my purpose. It’s easier than you might think, and I’m passionate about guiding my clients through this discovery process to help them find their ideal career.
Connect with me on LinkedIn, listen to the Career Clarity Unlocked Podcast, or schedule your free 30-minute career clarity consultation.
Conclusion
Once you start seeing yourself as your abilities and skills rather than your role, you open yourself up to other opportunities and rebrand your potential. The next step is networking and sharing your personal branding story with others.
You are only stuck in the limitations of how you define yourself. Because everything starts with how you see yourself—Not how others see you. So don’t limit your potential within the confines of a role or title. Showcase your talents and abilities within a personal branding story so others will know you not by your job title—but by who you are and what you can do.
A Career Coach can help you uncover your personal branding story and find the right career for you. Schedule a free consultation here.
Resources
- Why is career clarity important?
- How to make a midlife career change
- Which Transferable Skills Make Candidates Stand Out?
👉 Ready for career clarity in record time? Request a free consultation with me today.
