Whatever your industry, the feeling of being stuck in a dead-end job role can be extremely frustrating. After all, you’re putting in the effort and delivering results, going above and beyond, but there never seem to be any opportunities for advancement.

In fact, you might begin to suspect that your boss is the reason for the lack of career progression. And you wouldn’t be alone. According to Google trend data, searches for ‘dead end job’ have risen by 120% in the last month, while there are more than 21.2 million posts under the TikTok search “my boss doesn’t want to promote me”.

Having a manager that suppresses – rather than encourages – your advancement is far from ideal, but there are ways around it according to Zoe Grant, a career expert and HR business partner at Click Consult. Here, she reveals what you should do if you think your boss is holding you back, how to take action and when it’s time to move on.

Gather the facts

Before you take any action or speak to your boss, Grant says it’s essential to gather tangible evidence of your contributions and make sure you leave nothing out. “Put together a portfolio of projects you’ve led, performance reviews, sales figures, client feedback and even emails where your boss has acknowledged your successes and achievements,” she explains. “It’s important that you can paint a clear and undeniable picture of everything you bring to the table to strengthen your position when asking, yet again, for a well-deserved promotion.”

Then, have an honest (but strategic) chat

Sit down with your boss and ask how you can achieve your goals by working together. Instead of accusing them of holding you back, try to understand why; there might be a reason for their hesitation. Perhaps there are specific skills or qualifications they feel you’re lacking and need additional training to be considered for progression or they might think you’re not ready to take on the extra responsibility.

Seek allies and advocates

Even if your boss doesn’t think you’re ready to move up, there might be other people in the company that do. According to Grant, you should look for allies who recognise and appreciate your talent and contributions, and can advocate for you. Broadening your network with mentors that you admire can provide valuable guidance and can potentially open doors to new opportunities.

Keep it positive

While it can be tempting to vent to your new allies and mentors about how you feel your boss is career-blocking you, it’s always better to keep the negativity to yourself. “Bad-mouthing your boss reflects poorly on you and can damage your professional reputation. You never know if it will get back to your boss and cause more problems,” says Grant. “Keep it positive and keep the conversations focused on your development and progression rather than bitterness about your current situation.”

Consider lateral moves if vertical isn’t an option

When moving up isn’t an option, Grant suggests considering moving sideways. Lateral moves – shifting to a different role at the same level – can help you gain experience in different areas of the company, making you more versatile and, in turn, more valuable. It can give you a new perspective and allow you to understand the business better and increase your visibility, raising your profile within the company and showing your adaptability and potential for leadership.

Know when it’s time to move on

Unfortunately, after all your efforts to get yourself seen as promotion material, your boss might still be blocking your path. “If your current company can’t or won’t offer you the opportunities for growth and progression that you deserve, it might be time to explore something new,” advises Grant. “No matter how much you love your job, a fresh start at a new company can not only offer higher positions but also more support and opportunities for growth than your current role.”

Images: Getty