Situationships aren’t limited to the dating world.
Your career can also feel stuck in a gray area—full of potential but lacking clear commitment. If your professional life feels more like a string of “what-ifs” and “maybe later” than a well-defined relationship, you might be in a career situationship—and it’s time for a career makeover.
What’s a Career Situationship?
In dating, a “situationship” describes a romantic relationship that lacks clear definition or commitment, leaving both parties in a gray area. It’s often characterized by emotional ambiguity, where expectations aren’t fully discussed or met.
Examples of a dating “situationship”:
- A couple might spend time together regularly, yet never label their relationship.
- They have deep conversations, but avoid discussing their future.
- They engage in physical intimacy without establishing boundaries or commitment.
- One partner introduces the other to friends but refrains from calling them a “partner.”
- There is frequent communication, but no solid plans for long-term involvement.
- Both are left unsure of where things stand due to mixed signals and unclear intentions.
A career situationship is similarly undefined and unfulfilling.
You might show up to work regularly, but feel uncertain about your future with the company. You could be doing tasks that keep you busy, but you’re not sure they align with your passions or career goals. Perhaps you’ve built strong relationships with colleagues, but don’t see clear growth opportunities.
You may even receive occasional praise or small promotions, yet feel like you’re stuck. These unclear boundaries and lack of commitment mirror the same emotional ambiguity found in personal situationships.
This ambiguity renders your future career path unclear or even nonexistent
If you’re still unsure where your career stands, here are ten signs you’re caught in a career situationship.
But don’t worry! I’ve included actionable tips to move forward—whether with or without your current career.
1. You’re ‘Seeing Where It Goes’—Without a Real Plan
Are you just going with the flow in your career, hoping that “something” will happen but without any real strategy? It feels comfortable, but there’s no forward motion.
How to Get Out:
Create a concrete plan with achievable milestones. Break down your long-term goals into smaller, actionable steps. Whether it’s asking for that promotion or enrolling in a new course, give your career a road map.
2. You’re ‘Just Happy to Be Here’—But Not Growing
You’re employed, you like your job, but you haven’t learned anything new in years. Just like it’s easy to get stuck in a relationship that is past its expiration date, it’s easy to get comfortable staying in the same workplace. Who really wants to launch a job search, anyway?
How to Get Out:
Growth comes from challenge. Seek out opportunities to stretch yourself. This might mean taking on new responsibilities, requesting feedback from your manager, or seeking mentorship from someone outside your team.
3. You’ve Been in the Stagnant for Too Long
It’s been a while since you’ve advanced. You’re putting in the work but have seen no movement—up, sideways, or otherwise.
How to Get Out:
This might be an easy fix. You need to become more noticeable at work. Start an open conversation with your boss about advancement opportunities. If there’s no growth potential, it may be time to look for roles that offer upward mobility.
4. You’re Overqualified, Yet Underpaid
You have all the skills for the next level but are still stuck at an entry-level salary. You’re making things work, but deep down, you know you deserve more.
How to Get Out:
Advocate for yourself. Research industry salaries and prepare a case for a raise or promotion. If that doesn’t pan out, consider exploring other companies where your skills are properly valued.
5. You Have No Boundaries
Your career feels more like a toxic situationship because you’re constantly on call. You’ve given your job unlimited access to your time, energy, and emotional bandwidth, yet you’re receiving little in return.
How to Get Out:
Set firm boundaries. Decide what’s non-negotiable (weekends off, no emails after 6 p.m.) and stick to it. Communicate these boundaries with your team and management, and enforce them regularly.
6. You’re Not Excited About Your Future
If someone asks where you see yourself in five years, your only answer is a blank stare. You’re in a holding pattern, unsure if this is the career you even want.
How to Get Out:
Do some self-reflection. Assess what aspects of your job bring you joy and which ones drain you. Explore other paths, whether through informational interviews or experimenting with a side hustle, to see what else excites you.
7. You Feel Stuck, But Don’t Know Why
Something feels off in your career, but you can’t put your finger on it. You’re not moving forward, but it’s not due to lack of effort. Perhaps your career doesn’t;t align with your interests, talents, or even your core values.
How to Get Out:
Identify the root cause.
Are you under-challenged, underappreciated, or just not passionate about the work? Consider talking to a career coach to gain clarity on your next steps.
8. Your Career is Unbalanced
Work is consuming your life, but it’s not bringing you the satisfaction or rewards you expected. You’re sacrificing personal time, health, or relationships, and it doesn’t feel worth it.
How to Get Out:
Reevaluate your work-life balance. Consider scaling back on your workload or asking for flexible work arrangements. Remember, burnout helps no one.
9. You Keep Talking About ‘Someday’
“Someday I’ll start my own business.”
“Someday I’ll ask for that raise.”
If you’ve become a “someday” person, you’re letting fear keep you in limbo.
How to Get Out:
Turn “someday” into today. Choose one “someday” goal and take a small but tangible step toward it, like researching what it would take to launch your business or scheduling a meeting to discuss a raise.
10. You’re Comfortable, But Not Fulfilled
You’ve outgrown your role, but the stability it offers makes it hard to leave. You know deep down this isn’t your endgame, but change feels risky.
How to Get Out:
Comfort is the enemy of growth. Push yourself to explore new opportunities, whether that’s a new role within the same company or branching out entirely. Fulfillment often requires taking risks, and the first step is acknowledging that it’s time to move on.
Get Out of Your Career Situationship + Assess Your Future
I have some good news. This chapter won’t be forever.
Recognizing the signs is the first step to breaking free and finding a career that feels committed, fulfilling, and aligned with your true goals. You can turn your professional limbo into a career that loves you back with a little intentionality and a few bold moves.
If you’re looking for an easy way to Assess where you are in your career, check out my completely free course, Assess Your Current Career. It’s part of my three-course program, Revolutionize Your Career.
I want to help you get unstuck—and out of any ambiguous career situationship!
