Digging in the wrong place?

Every now and then, I'm reminded of this conversation I had with an ex-colleague from a long time back. We have both left that company. I'm just reminded of it again today, while going through some resumes for a position I have in my team.

Someone had listed this as a reason for leaving the company - after less than 2 years >> "Reached job ceiling and was told that there will not be any career advancement". Same person, comment for leaving another company after approximately 4 months was "Department structure is shaky and affects career development oppotunity. Aim to find a company that offers growth and advancement"

Going back to the conversation I had with my ex-colleague, which was about career advancements. We were discussing why we should just quit digging in the same place (company) because there's never ever going to be gold for us there. So, no matter how hard we dig and dig - try and try or work as hard as we can and push overselves over the edge to contribute - we're never ever going to dig anything more than a nice, deep grave for ourselves.

So, the only way we should go abouts gathering gold for ourselves is to quit that company and find greener pastures.

With the benefit of hindsight and also maybe maturity, I think our conclusion was not wrong but not entirely correct either.

Opportunities are everywhere but you have to be equipped with the right skills and tools and even personality in order to seize them. Gold doesn't come in ready cast ingots. More often than not, it comes disguised as dirt. Openly digging and throwing dust over everyone else around you will not help. If you recognise this, you would become successful.

Ultimately, resourcefulness in an employee is prized. Anywhere.

I'm throwing this resume into the bin.