Signs far more subtle than conflict with a boss or exclusion from meetings inspire people to evaluate their place in an organization. Sometimes green lights go on, unnoticed. Other times, red lights flash. Effective career management depends upon reviewing your professional and employment status frequently and making adjustments.

Many people rarely assess their status on-the-job and in terms of their career, according to Michele Gorman, director, Career Management MBA@UNC, at the Kenan-Flagler Business School of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. "It's something they should proactively think about," she states.

"Employees usually wait until 4:00 Friday, because notoriously that's when layoffs happen," says Phil Blair, executive officer at Manpower Staffing of San Diego in that city.
"That's how they determine everything is O.K. Have your radar up at all times to what's happening around you -- your career, company and industry, and your boss's career."

He further advises paying attention to declining R&D budgets, profits, stock value or market share when other organizations and the industry are strong; an excess of closed-door meetings among senior managers; a high number of sudden meetings; or staff unrest in sales or marketing departments.

Take note of red lights deeply embedded in your career, too. Pay attention to the "feeling that you haven't (enhanced) your skill set or your experiences in the previous six months," points out Julie Redfield, managing consultant at PA Consulting Group in New York City, N.Y. "Everyone has routine, mundane tasks, but boredom with them for more than 20 percent of the time probably means you're not challenged or engaged. Another sign is feeling you can't be authentic at work."

Gorman mentions additional signs, such as not looking forward to going to work, hesitating to recommend your company to a friend, being oblivious to industry trends, working in a culture that doesn't value you at your best and having values that conflict with your work. Is your professional life what you want it to be? Does it clash with your lifestyle? She also says to ask yourself, "What's my five-year vision and am I on track to realize that?"

Make certain you don't get lost in negatives. Problems don't necessarily spell "e-x-i-t." Gorman maintains that if the company fulfills eight of ten of your requirements ("a really good fit") or your top three, you might well belong there. Blair remarks that a shift in company emphasis from one product to another presents a new direction for you. "Move over to it," he recommends. "Volunteer to work in other departments." The more well-rounded you are, the more likely the company will need you. If you're feeling stuck but like the company, he advocates approaching management, telling them that and explaining that you'd like to increase your value to them.

Discuss a serious problem involving the company with your manager, Redfield suggests. "If you're able to change the issue and your manager is able to shift your job or have some behavior changes to address it, you're in good shape. In any situation you have only three choices - to accept the situation and be comfortable with it, try to change the aspect of the situation you don't like or remove yourself from it. If you're not making one of these choices, you're not going to be happy."

Evaluate your situation in your company from all sides - the company's and yours. If the organization is failing, head for the door if you can't help bolster it. If you're failing there professionally, do the same. Encounter a mixed bag and be careful when deciding what to do next.

(Dr. Mildred L. Culp welcomes your questions at culp@workwise.net. © 2012 Passage Media.)