The Red Flag of Boredom
Why do professionals feel bored with their job? What does it mean to your career when you are?
Have you ever come to the realization that you’re struggling to go to work every day? Was it not because you weren’t treated well or the company was in a bad place? Maybe it was simply no longer interesting enough to motivate you.
I remember being told as a kid that “boredom is the product of an uncreative mind.” It’s one of those things that sounds profound but rings hollow in adult life, especially when it comes to your career.
Boredom is a legitimate reason to look for a new job.
It’s as much of a sign that something isn’t right as frustration or fear. That’s true no matter what short-term effect it has on your work.
- If you’re bored at work, and it’s leading to problems, that’s a red flag.
- If you’re bored at work, but still performing just fine, that’s still a red flag.
We’re no longer in an era where you can punch in, sleepwalk through your day, punch out, and still do well. If you’re not engaged, you’re either:
- Missing out on important things, which will come back to haunt you.
- In a role so undemanding that you’re easily replaced (by someone cheaper or a machine).
So, you’re bored and that’s a bad thing. What should you do about it?
It’s as much of a sign that something isn’t right as frustration or fear. That’s true no matter what short-term effect it has on your work.
- If you’re bored at work, and it’s leading to problems, that’s a red flag.
- If you’re bored at work, but still performing just fine, that’s still a red flag.
We’re no longer in an era where you can punch in, sleepwalk through your day, punch out, and still do well. If you’re not engaged, you’re either:
- Missing out on important things, which will come back to haunt you.
- In a role so undemanding that you’re easily replaced (by someone cheaper or a machine).
So, you’re bored and that’s a bad thing. What should you do about it?
Why Are You Bored?
As with many things, the first thing to do is figure out why. To do this, start by taking a step back to:
- Ask yourself why your job’s boring.
- Figure out what you’d find more interesting.
- Line that up with what you’re best at doing (get outside input for this one).
Now, you have a solid idea of what’s wrong and how to course correct.
In a perfect world, you’d do this at your existing employer. There may be challenges you’re overlooking. Taking on those challenges could lead to solving long-standing problems, which could both solve your boredom problem and open new doors for advancement.
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world. The things holding you back may warrant a new position with a new company. When interviewing for those, you need to be careful explaining why you’re looking.
“I’m Bored”
Yes, boredom is a legitimate reason to look for something new, but don’t use the word in a job interview. It will come off as negative or lazy. “I’m bored,” is something a child says.
When asked why you’re looking for something new:
- Explain why your job is “no longer challenging you” and why there’s no option to improve things at your current employer (don’t sound too negative).
- Break down why their position would not only be more engaging but also a better use of your skills.
- Share accomplishments and successes you’ve had that are relevant to their goals for the position.
When asked why you’re looking for something new:
- Explain why your job is “no longer challenging you” and why there’s no option to improve things at your current employer (don’t sound too negative).
- Break down why their position would not only be more engaging but also a better use of your skills.
- Share accomplishments and successes you’ve had that are relevant to their goals for the position.
This approach will allow you to not only explain your situation in a mature way, but also give you an opportunity to sell yourself for the opening. Put yourself in their shoes, and think about what’s important to them, and fashion your answer accordingly.
Boredom is a red flag, but it doesn’t have to be a career killer. Getting yourself into more exciting work can make you both happier and more productive. That can lead to more options for long-term success. The key is both how you approach it, both in your own mind and when talking to potential employers.