All dressed up and nowhere to grow
This one’s for the girlies holding it together with ambition and one last nerve.
Dear Nell,
I have been working at my job for a few years now and feel I have given it everything I can. I am now acutely aware of the issues in the organisation and can feel myself becoming increasingly angry and resentful about my situation. I would like to move on to somewhere new, and take a step up to a more senior role, but in a crowded market with hardly any jobs available I don't even think I would be considered for something more senior.
Although I feel itchy in my current job, I know I have to survive where I am for now. Any tips?
From,
Itchy
Dear Itchy,
Oh girl, I feel this one. You’ve outgrown the role, the systems are grinding your gears, and you’re ready for more! But, the path forward feels like it’s being gatekept by a sluggish job market, a shortage of opportunities, and the perception that there are heaps of highly qualified people fighting it out for the few jobs there are. This is a special kind of “stuck”.
Here’s the thing though, you being ready matters. Even if the external circumstances are challenging, knowing you’ve outgrown something is a powerful place to be in. While it’s frustrating to wait it out, it doesn’t mean you have to put your dreams on hold entirely.
Here are a few ways to scratch the itch without creating too much friction!
1. Flip the narrative.
This isn’t a holding pattern, it’s prep season. Sharpen your resume, reflect on the leadership moments you already have in your back catalogue, and get clear on what “stepping up” means to you. Prepare like the opportunity could land tomorrow.
2. Start acting like the job you want.
You don’t need a new title to start moving stepping up. Are there strategic projects you can lead? Complex problems you can help solve? Mentoring moments you can claim? Showcasing readiness from where you are builds confidence and credibility.
3. Set micro-goals for your exit strategy.
If the job market’s tight, that doesn’t mean you should hit pause. Set tiny, achievable goals like, one job application a week, one new connection on LinkedIn, one coffee catch-up a month. Small steps keep the momentum going without draining your spirit.
4. Build your Cheer Squad.
Talk to people who know your worth. Your personal cheerleaders. You’re more likely to hear, “You’re totally ready for that next step!” from them than from your own inner critic. And who knows, one of them might know of a role before it hits the job boards.
5. Vent with purpose.
It’s okay to be mad. But instead of letting it fester, try turning that fire into fuel. Turn it into criteria for your next role (“strong autonomy,” “a culture that walks the talk,” etc). Let the resentment refine your standards, not define your experience.
This chapter isn’t where you’ll stay, it’s where you’re staging your comeback. Even if the external signs aren’t giving the green light, your internal growth is already happening. Trust that. You’re not too much, and you’re not asking for too much. You’re evolving, and sometimes the cocoon just takes a minute to crack open.
Keep that ambition alive. You’ve got this!
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