I have a nice and irrelevant job. what to do?

December 11, 2007 5:35 AM

I have a nice job at a nice company, however my work is completely irrelevant. What to do?

I work for a nice, big company. I have a nice salary, performance bonuses and the opportunity of travelling the world and getting to know new places and people.

However, my job is completely irrelevant for the market in my region (Latin America), and I have the fear of becoming irrelevant as well, in case I leave the company or it lets me go for some reason.

I'm the only employee of my unit in the region, which is not very important to the company as a whole. The only path for me to progress in my current job would be to move to one of the main markets (Europe or Asia) where my work would make a difference. However this possibility is quite slim since the company is restructuring and transfers and hirings are on a freeze.

I like the company a lot, it's a fantastic employer, but I'm afraid I'm becoming a professional of less value to the market than I used to be, since doing a job I think it doesn't matter much for three years does not add any vaue to one's career.

Any advice?

posted by anonymous to work & money (5 answers total)

It's better than being unemployed and grasping at anything you can do to make money. Really. I had a dead-end job, and should have taken its opportunity to do my own stuff. Instead I just bitched and effed around on the 'net until I was fired. THen I had to grovel for a couple years.
posted by notsnot at 5:42 AM on December 11, 2007

Work really really hard at your job and get that transfer.
posted by sid at 5:54 AM on December 11, 2007

Well, there's "does this add value to my career?" and "does this add value to me as a person?" I believe that the opportunity to travel on someone else's dime, especially internationally, is one of the greatest perks a job can offer. And even if you don't follow that particular line of thinking, scores of people in unpleasant jobs who are stuck there because baby needs a new pair of shoes would kill for "a nice salary, performance bonuses and the opportunity of travelling the world and getting to know new places and people." So, you're smart to recognize at least that a cushy employment situation is a benefit in and of itself.

"I'm afraid I'm becoming a professional of less value to the market than I used to be, since doing a job I think it doesn't matter much for three years does not add any vaue to one's career."

This is a valid concern, though. I'm assuming the company is aware that Latin America is a dead-end market but they are keeping you in a position to hold down the fort, so to speak? If so, you can look at the situation as job security. Talk to your supervisor, tell them earnestly that you feel the current situation isn't adding a lot of value to the company, and that you'd like to work together to find a way to make your stack more relevant.

And, let him or her know you're interested in moving to another market if/when the position opens -- that the relatively slower pace of Latin America makes it the ideal training field for a new hire in the same role, whereas your level of experience would probably best serve the org in a faster market. (Don't assume a transfer is off the table. You never know what could happen. Restructuring can't last forever, and people leave jobs all the time for all sorts of reasons.) Then, you're top of the list to move into one of the better markets, and you've demonstrated an interest in adding value to the company in a place where there doesn't seem much to add.

In the meantime, take advantage of the job security, to stay polished. Attend conferences and professional development events for your industry. Volunteer for internal committees and projects that will keep you up to speed on the markets you perceive to be valuable. Make sure you are staying visible and active -- not perceived to be off languishing in Mexico. These things will keep you in the spotlight for advancement or lateral moves within the company, and aid your resume in the case of an organization change.

And, keep an eye out for dream opportunities in similar positions at other organizations. Can't hurt... plus, resigning in order to salvage your professional development at a time when a major org is restructuring is totally understandable to interviewers.
posted by pineapple at 6:18 AM on December 11, 2007

Yep, apply for a transfer. If you can't get transferred, you're going to have to leave. There are other good jobs with good companies out there, and you can afford to be picky since you're currently employed. The thing is, in your career if you're not moving forward you're moving backward. It's really that simple, and I think you recognize that.
posted by fusinski at 7:25 AM on December 11, 2007

I was just thinking this morning how many articles there have been on job switching or career planning on personal finance blogs lately, eg:
What to do when you have a high paying job you hate
How do you plan to get ahead?
A lot of posts at The Brazen Careerist
posted by salvia at 8:09 AM on December 11, 2007