Why Its OK That You Still Have the Same Job Title - The Muse

Why Its OK That You Still Have the Same Job Title - The MuseWhy Its OK That You Still Have the Same Job Title Not too long ago, I looked at my LinkedIn profile and thought, Wow, Ive had my current title for a while now- almost two years. Its way longer than Ive held any other position in the past before getting promoted. I started to wonder if there welches something wrong with me, or if there was something more I should be doing to prove that Im able to make the leap. When I started asking myself what that next step looks like, I realized its not always bad to have the same title for a few years. To play my own devils advocate, there are of course times when its not a good sign. Lets take a look at both scenarios.Its OK to Have the Same Title if Youre Getting the Opportunity to Lead New ProjectsAs frustrating as it might be to not receive recognition for your hard work in the fasson of a promotion, that doesnt necessarily mean your teammates dont lean on you for more advanced projec ts than your current job title would suggest. Take a closer look at your current to-do list. Has your boss started trusting you with some really important initiatives? Do you feel that youre still being compensated fairly? If the answer to both questions is yes, chances are that youre punching above your weight-class and that everyone around you recognizes it. Its Not OK to Have the Same Title if Your Responsibilities Havent ChangedOn the flipside, you might have some soul-searching to do if youre doing the same tasks you were assigned in your first few months in your role. While a number of factors could be in play, the chances are that youre still doing those things because you havent proven to anyone that you can handle a little more. If youre unsure of how youve been performing, dont be afraid to ask your boss for a little feedback to get a clearer idea of whats really going on (this email template). You might not like what you hear, but youll know what you need to work on to ta ke the next step in your career. Its OK to Have the Same Title if Youre Learning New SkillsSure, it can be frustrating to be adding skills to your toolbox without a pat on the back from your boss or a raise. At the same time, its not as if you have to leave those skills behind if you decide to leave. When youre feeling frustrated, keep this in mind You are putting yourself in a much better position to score a new (and more senior) role in the near future.Its Not OK to Have the Same Title if Youre BoredHeres the thing if youre bored at work and your responsibilities havent changed much over the past few years, youre only doing yourself a disservice. Are you seeking out opportunities for growth? Are you volunteering for things that are out of your comfort zone? If not, your lack of a title change is probably a reflection on your current effort level.Its OK to Have the Same Title if Theres No Open Job for You to Step IntoUnless you work for a handful of companies, your team probably do esnt have an endless amount of money to promote people willy-nilly. You might be doing a lot of work- and a lot of it might be beyond your job description- but the truth of the matter might be that theres simply no room to promote anyone right now. And while thats frustrating, thats in no way a reflection of your work. At some point, youll be recognized for your effort.WORRIED YOURE MISSING OUT ON AWESOME JOBS?Stop worrying and just take a look.amazing opportunities this way Its Not OK to Have the Same Title if Youre Putting Off Applying for an Open RoleI will be the first person to constantly tell myself that Im not qualified or ready for a promotion. Its a comfortable place to live. But the downside to that mentality is that youll never put yourself in a position to find out whether or not you couldve qualified. Hearing no is never, ever fun. But if youre constantly turning down opportunities to take a step in your career, nobodys ever going to force you to do it.The truth is that getting a promotions a huge confidence booster, so its only natural to be anxious if youre not getting one as quickly as you think you should. But take another look at your current work situation. If youre going above and beyond and truly think you deserve a new title, dont be afraid to start the conversation with your boss. Uncomfortable with doing that? Check out these tips on asking for a title change. Dont think thats the best solution for you (or already tried it)? Well then it might just be time to start looking for a new job.