How to Overcome Challenges at Any Career Stage

ByRachel Pelta

Your professional journey often starts the day you land your first job and ends the day you retire for good. And along the way, you’re bound to encounter generational differences in the workplace and obstacles that block your path. Going over, under, or even through them is part of taking the next step in your career.

But the hurdles you leap over at the beginning of your career can be quite different than the ones you find later on. And the strategies you use to overcome them will vary depending on what steps you want to take next.

Your First Job

—The Hurdles

Searching for your first job is tough. Sometimes, it feels like there aren’t enoughentry-level jobsavailable for people with limited experience—like you.

And once you do land that job, it seems like obstacle after obstacle is thrown at you. For starters, you have to switch from being a full-time student to being a full-time employee. Fromlearning the company cultureto finding out how your team and coworkers operate andcommunicate,there are a ton of new skills to learn.

Even once you’ve mastered that, you may discover that the job isn’t what you thought it would be. There may be times when you feel like all you do is menial tasks that don’t have anything to do with the job. Not to mention, you may discover thatmaintaining work-life balanceisn’t so easy!

—The Solutions

While this seems like a lot of job hurdles to overcome (and it is), there are some things you can do to leap over them.

Start bybuilding professional relationships. Connect with people on your team, outside your team, and even outside your company.Grow your networkand meet with people in the field who canmentor and guide youthrough your early career days.

Also, ask your supervisor or more senior team members for feedback. Asking for input outside of a yearly evaluation can help you identify blind spots and weaknesses you need to improve.

Andlearn everything you canabout the job, the company, and the industry. Take classes or certification courses and say yes to relevant training opportunities your company offers. This will grow your skill set and help you get to the next stage of your career.

Early Career

—The Hurdles

After a few years, you’ll be in the early part of your career. You have some on-the-job experience but aren’t quite ready for the next phase of your professional journey.

Though you’ve made it past your early job hurdles, new ones await. Because you’ve had some time in the role and learned a lot about it, you may doubt you made the right career choice. Or, you’re positive you’re in the right field and on the right path. You can’t wait to move ahead but are unable to for various reasons—some in your control and some outside of it.

—The Solutions

所有的这些感觉是正常的,并且经常佤邦y to overcome them is withsome introspection. If you’re not sure you’re in the right career, ask yourself why or what makes you feel that way? Are you really in the wrong job, or are you in the right job at the wrong company? Maybe the job is perfect, but thecompany culture is the wrong fit.

If you feel like you’re stuck, what do you have to do to get unstuck? Is it that, despite your ambition, you need a few more years of experience or education to even beconsidered for a promotion or advancement? You might need to go back to school or continue in this role for a few more years. It could also be that your company is small and does not have the career ladder that best fits intoyour career plan, which could mean a job search is the next step for you.

Mid-Career

—The Hurdles

The middle of your career often means you’re in a comfortable career groove. But that doesn’t mean you won’t come across career obstacles.

People at this stage of their professional journey sometimes wonder aboutthe path not taken.Could they have been successful doing something else?And the wondering sometimes turns to thoughts ofchanging careers. But then you might think you’re too old to start over at the bottom of the career ladder. Or, you worry about the many obligations you’ve taken on and areconcerned that starting overwould be too much of an emotional or financial strain.

Other people are perfectly happy with their job. They’re in the exact position doing the exact job they always planned on. The problem isthey can’t picture themselves doing “this” for another 20 or more years. You might discover that while you’re content, you’re bored and itching for a new challenge. Or, you feel like you’ve accomplished everything you can butaren’t sure what comes next.

—The Solutions

To overcome these hurdles, it may be time tomake that career change. There could be financial and emotional burdens, but you cantake steps to ease the strain. Likewise, alateral movewithin your company might allow you to put different skills to work, shaking up your routine and challenging you in new and exciting ways.

Late Career

—The Hurdles

Toward the latter part of your career, you may experience similar hurdles people face mid-career. You mightfeel restless and want new challenges. But there are also new hurdles to overcome. Some fields have a mandatory retirement age you’re approaching, but you aren’t ready to retire. Or, you may love your work so much that younever want to retire, but you’re worried about becoming obsolete. Maybe you’re ready for that career change but don’t want to face在你的求职对老年人的歧视。

—The Solutions

While there may be nothing you can do about a mandatory retirement age, youdon’t have to give up work. You can start a side hustle, so you have a part-time gig as you go into retirement to give yousupplemental incomeor something fun to do. If youdon’t plan on retiring, keep up to date on changes in your field and technology with continuing education or attending conferences. This can expand your skills, help you feel more in touch with younger generations in the workplace, and overcome concerns about being “too old” for the role.

Leaps and Bounds

Your professional journey may be a straight line, a twisty path, or something in between. And no matter which direction you choose, you’re bound to encounter hurdles you’ll need to leap over. While you might be able to make the jump on your own, sometimes you need a little extra help.

And that’s where a FlexJobs career coach can help. Our team of in-house experts can help you figure out where you are, where you want to go, and what you need to do to get there. Schedule your appointment today!

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