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My job isn't challenging enough.

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Anonymous

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My job isn't challenging enough. I’ve been in my current position for a little over a year and although I like the company I work for and sometimes the work I do, I’m planning an exit by September. During my weekly meetings with my manager they asked if I had just enough work, and did I need more, because sometimes we get caught up in our day-to-day work and it becomes repetitive which causes some people to be bored. I stated that I have just enough, however, I can do those things in my sleep. So much so that many of the items I can complete in a day. I gave what he said some thought (slept on it) and decided to create an exit strategy because the work isn’t challenging and there’s no room for growth right now. I want to transition into marketing once I attain my degree. I’m currently an administrative assistant and I’m over this role. I did this role years ago, removed myself from it, I made my way back after working in a toxic environment and not enough work. I just needed to vent; however, positive feedback is always welcome.

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  1. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume Writer

    Your boss asked you if you were sufficiently challenged...this was your opportunity to ask for more/more challenging work. I'm curious as to why you didn't take advantage of that opportunity? Is there any reason why you can't go back and have this conversation? After all, you aren't going to get a new job tomorrow...or next week...probably not even next month.

  2. Anonymous

    I didn't ask because I've been here before and there simply isn't any challenging work. They'll take something off their plate to put on mine, which isn't challenging. Allow me to say this, I want more meaningful projects that challenge me.

  3. Anonymous

    I also stated in my original post that I plan to leave by September.

  4. Anonymous

    Then probably you just should leave and allow a less fortunate person take that position.

  5. Anonymous

    If your current employer has a marketing team, would you be able to transition there for experience and remain at that organization past September? Or are you just wanting to collect a paycheck biding your time until September?

  6. Anonymous

    We're a small organization so there isn't a marketing team, there is a marketing position that has been placed on hold, so I'm going to tell them I'm interested. I was waiting until I was closer to completing my degree and I'm there.

  7. Diane J Huff

    I get what you are saying but here’s the thing - before exiting, why not ASK for more of a challenge? I’ve been in this situation before - I loved the company and the culture but not the job. I exited and went to a company that gave me more opportunity but was toxic. I happened to see my boss out at a networking function later that year and mentioned the lack of challenge in my job with his company - and he said “why didn’t you just ask? You were a great team member, we would have gladly helped you grow.” You NEVER know what you are going to get at any company until you ASK.

  8. Anonymous

    Yes!! This ^^^

  9. Anonymous

    I've been in toxic work environments before, several times. I've asked for more challenging work, yet there is none. We're a small organization that is on the path to grow, but I'm not going to sit here for years before I start to feel challenged. There's a position for a marketing coordinator that's been placed on hold, so I'm going to tell them I'm interested this week. Especially since I've been taking care of the marketing and communications since I started.

  10. Diane J Huff

    Exactly! Why not ask?

  11. GirlBossanova934974

    Having worked the last 25 years in Marketing, I am not sure you are on the right track here. When you "transition into Marketing" after you get your degree, it is more than likely you are going to be asked to do rudimentary Marketing tasks when you start out. Collecting data is one of those rudimentary tasks. I would use this current role as an opportunity to learn or enhance your skillsets in spreadsheets and presentations.

  12. Anonymous

    Be careful what you ask for. Now is the time to determine what kind of life you want, around work. Many of us didn’t have this guidance and I would have loved to start out with more balance. Being less busy or challenged at work means you can build a life around work, not the other way around.

  13. Anonymous

    If I were in your shoes, I’d take the next few months choosing where you’d like to work in the context of a marketing team, and work on building those skills. ‘Marketing’ is a broad category. I’m a writer, but on my company’s (40+-person) marketing team, we have data analysts, graphic designers, a motion-graphics team, events production professionals, etc.

  14. Anonymous

    Thank you, I appreciate your response. I have been thinking about this and my mentor mentioned something similar as he's in marketing. I'm attempting to find what I enjoy more.

  15. Anonymous

    If you are bored, ask for different challenges. Offer your skills to any one asking assistance. Volunteer for stretch assignments. This will help you and make you differently visible.

  16. Anonymous

    I get it you do not want to be an administrative assistant anymore. You can and will move on to bigger and better jobs. Just know if you have too much work which sounds like you have the opposite of not enough work will rob you of your all of your energy. Use your extra time wisely.

  17. Anonymous

    Can you ask to take on something that's marketing-like at the moment in your current role? This way you get some experience in what you really want to do.

  18. Anonymous

    Yes, I'm bringing this up this week. There's a position for a marketing coordinator that's been placed on hold, so I'm going to tell them I'm interested. Especially since I've been taking care of the marketing and communications tasks since I started.

  19. Anonymous

    Sounds like you missed an opportunity to take your boss up on their offer and ask to be put on some marketing related projects where you are now?

  20. Anonymous

    Find a new one that will bring you that joy and move on.

  21. Anonymous

    Wendy, As a career Assistant, I respectfully disagree with you.While SOME admin assts may experience that, I have worked my way up to Senior Executive Assistant and find my job to be professional, diverse, challenging, exciting, and respectful. I have had 7, 5, 3, 18, 10, and currently 3 years in my career. This career is not for everyone. And yes, I've had my share of unprofessional executives who don't see Admins as part of the Executive team. But showing them what I am able to bring to the table as support staff, I am a highly respected individual whose skills are appreciated and celebrated when the occasion presents itself.And at 67, I am still enjoying my very busy and exciting career. My Executive relies on my decision making and follow through on projects large and small. It takes a love for what I do and the skills and giftedness the Lord gave me.

  22. Anonymous

    OP here...I'm glad this has worked for you and you are correct, it's not for everyone. I'm over it.

  23. Anonymous

    Wait.....i need to sort this out!!....So, we are in a terrible recession, With thousands of people being laid off every week.(If you are not aware of this, simply log on to linked in and you will see what's happening.).. So, you currently. Have a job that is unchallenging and you are completing your work easily every day,right??... , not having to bring it home or carry extra stress....You are feeling mentally under challenged with this job. But, your boss has asked you If you have too much work or would like more work et cetera et cetera...?? ...And ,you said that this is a nice place To work!!.. You've got a lot of real. Really positive things going for you, but I don't see you exercising any control over your own destiny at this work place.. You think that leaving is the answer? I hope you're right.. But I don't think you realize how good you have it right now.. Instead, I would encourage you to go back to school or take a night class or finish your degree and hold on to this position in the meantime... Believe me, the grass is not always greener somewhere else.. You can add value to your current position by making suggestions for work flow improvement or volunteering to take on more difficult tasks.. There is so much that you can do to invest in your own happiyes at this employer.. I wouldn't be in a hurry to leave but instead look for ways to grow where you're at..

  24. Anonymous

    Though she's also stated she plans to leave the current position by September.

  25. Anonymous

    I totally agree!! If you like your employer and your manager, but need more to do, just ask them! It’s not a toxic environment, so don’t jeopardize your happiness by going somewhere else that might not work out. Ask for more work! I’m sure they can find something for you. Good employers are gems to be treasured.

  26. Crystal Howell

    Ask if they can create a marketing position give your ideas to increase sales, take the lead! Tell them You Can't Sell a Secret!!!

  27. misskelleyp

    I'd stay with the low stress job until you complete your degree, particularly given the current job market. Once you complete your degree, since you say this is a good place to work, see if you can move to the marketing department!

  28. Jacob Dorn

    I was in a similar situation years ago, so I go busy. I found ways to save the government agency that I worked for money, to increase revenue and more than justify a raise. I never asked for approval to do these things, but always reported on them afterwards.

  29. Kathy Leski

    I'd reconsider speaking with your manager, especially if you like the company. If they know you want to go into marketing, they may be able to make that happen by giving you 10-20 hours to the mktg team. I didn't sound like you've mentioned that at all in your one -on -one.

  30. Anonymous

    You are doing the right thing by vacating the position.

  31. Anonymous

    Thank you, I appreciate your response.

  32. Anonymous

    Thank you and you are spot on. There isn't challenging work or a marketing department since we're a small organization. However, as I've replied to others there is a position for a marketing coordinator that's been placed on hold, so I'm going to tell them I'm interested.

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