5 Signs of a Dead-End Job

If any of these reasons for leaving resonate, it's time to dust off your resume.

By Kate Ashford, Monster contributor

Think of what a dead-end job looks like, and you'll probably envision someone who's been at the same company since phones had cords. But it doesn't take years to reach your breaking point with a job.

It used to be true that workers started their careers at one company and spent decades there, rising through the ranks until they reached a top spot, where they stayed. Not anymore.

Today, climbing the corporate ladder often means changing ladders—jumping from company to company—and workers aren't afraid to go. Whether you're burned out from too much work or you're in a dead-end job with nothing going on, you need to know where the exit signs are located.

Granted, leaving a dead-end job when you're higher on the corporate ladder can be tricky. The higher up you are, you may feel there are fewer comparable positions on the horizon.

Sometimes it's hard to know if you've fallen momentarily out of love with your job, or if you're long overdue for a new employer. There are many reasons to leave a job, so Monster found five unmistakable examples of signs that it's time you should start making plans to jump ship.

Five Signs of a Dead-End Job

1. Dread Is Your Default Emotion

When you hate your job, you're not doing yourself or your company any favors. So if going to work fills you with anxiety and dismay, take note and don't write it off as just part of the grind.

If the only things that lessen your dread are your upcoming vacation plans and the prospect of retirement, that's a big sign that you're ready for change.

2. You've Become the Worst Version of Yourself

Over time, a buildup of work-related stress can lead to behavior you'd rather not exhibit. The more frustrated you are at work, the more limited your patience becomes. You may find yourself acting in ways that are completely out of character, shocking, and embarrassing, all brought on by the misery of your job.

3. Your Values Are Being Compromised

It could be that the company you joined has evolved into a different kind of company since you joined it—or you've evolved into a person with different priorities. A dead-end job almost always conflicts with your core values, bringing emotional and physical strain to the surface.

Let's say you put an emphasis on quality time with your family but your job has you staying late and missing recitals and holidays, that's going to wear you down. Or if you really value innovation but you work for a company that's stuck in the past and that doesn't appreciate new ideas, you'll get frustrated and feel really stifled.

4. You've Been There More Than a Decade

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median number of years that wage and salary workers stick with their employer is 4.2 years. So if you've been in a job for over a decade, you run the risk of being seen by others as unmotivated.

The other risk of staying too long may be that you feel stuck—your interview and job search skills are rusty, and you feel unable to move on, even if you want to.

5. You're Not Getting Promoted

Do you feel that senior leadership isn't personally invested in you or your professional development, or you're not feeling supported in your goals? That's a clear sign of a dead-end job. Similarly, sometimes a company or team simply doesn't have any opportunities available for you to advance your skills and job title.

The same goes for the situation if your salary has stalled. If you haven't had a raise in 18 to 24 months and there's no raise in your future—or a promotion down the line that would result in a salary bump—you're better off looking elsewhere. New positions often come with pay bumps.

Don't Wait Until a Dead-End Job Makes You Miserable

The onus is on you to own your career and seek out support from your higher-ups, so if they don't respond with a favorable offer, don't wait for your situation to resolve itself—make a move. Need some help? Make a free profile on Monster today and we can show you the job opportunities out there waiting for you. You just might find what you didn't even know you were looking for.