The term ‘Job hugging’ describes workers who hold onto their current roles, even when they are unfulfilling. Current concerns about the job market may cause people to stay in their work-comfort zone instead of taking on new opportunities.
Peter Duris, CEO and Co-founder of the AI-based career tool Kickresume, offers expert advice for employees and managers about job hugging—including how to address boredom and stagnation.
Peter Duris, CEO and Co-Founder of Kickresume, comments:
“Job hugging, the opposite of job hopping, could stem from fears about an unpredictable job market. When there is a general lack of jobs, this can cause many people to clutch onto their current role, even if they’re growing bored of it.
“Whilst staying put in one company has many benefits, it may not always be the best call for everyone. If you’ve outgrown your role and there’s no career progression available, or you’re wishing for a career pivot, staying put may hinder your chances at furthering your career, and could lead to a total loss of motivation.
“Thinking carefully and weighing up your options is key when making significant career decisions. You don’t want to stay put somewhere that isn’t serving you anymore, but you should also make sure your next role is a better fit.”
Tips for employees
- Consider internal opportunities. If you need a change, but don’t necessarily want to leave your company, you could think about applying for any open roles within your organization. You could try talking to your manager to discuss this, and they may be able to help you transition into a role that challenges you more. However, if you want to stay in your current role, you could talk to your manager about learning new skills or getting involved in new projects. This could help spark your motivation and help you progress in your role.
- Offer to mentor others. If possible, mentoring junior or less experienced staff about your knowledge and skills can be very rewarding and helpful. See if there are any opportunities to train new staff in your skillset, or see if any junior staff need help on their tasks. This may help to breathe new life into your role.
- Don’t be afraid to take the leap. If you’ve exhausted all options at your current role and you’re unhappy, it’s okay to begin looking elsewhere. Before applying for new roles, it’s important to think about exactly what you want from your next job, and update your resume. It’s wise to find another role before leaving your current one, especially as some job seekers are finding the job market very difficult right now, with the unemployment rate in the U.S. increasing to 4.2% in July.
Peter has also shared his tips for managers to help avoid employees from becoming demotivated and bored with their roles.
Tips for managers
- Offer support and guidance where you can. During one-to-one catchups with your team, you could ask them if there’s anything you can do to support their progression within this role. You may find that some of your team want to upskill or be part of a certain project that they’re interested in.
- Ensure progression is clear. To avoid boredom, it’s important to lay out a clear roadmap for progression for each member of your team. This gives each employee something to work towards, so they don’t stagnate in their roles.
- Create opportunities. If possible, work together with other managers to allow employees to move between departments, either on secondments or into a new permanent position. Employees who are keen for a change can develop their careers within the business, and your company benefits from not losing their expertise and knowledge of your organization’s processes.
