I'm too clever for my job - and my manager says so

blueandwhiterose

I've worked at my company for a year and have really enjoyed it, but I feel like it's a waste of my abilities.

Put bluntly, the intelligence gap between me and the rest of the people here is very wide. General staff will often struggle with basic tasks, processes and information. They receive training, but still have a really hard time. They react poorly to stress and can become very angry if they are put in a situation where they are forced to use initiative or take responsibility.

On the other hand, I find my job to be fairly straightforward and simple. All my goals and targets are within reach. The local management likes me, I've received written praise from senior management, even my own manager has said "In truth you're too clever for this".

This might sound like someone being full of themselves but in reality is there's nothing much good about it. It's pretty isolating, you feel like you're in the completely wrong place, and your salary doesn't magically change either.

There's no opportunities here, and for reasons outside of my control, my work record isn't that great before this. So job hopping around isn't that much of an option and my checkered history isn't going to be interesting to most employers either. But what other option is left other than to start job hopping around for more interesting jobs?

getmore4less

If there is nothing the place has that you could step up to then step out is the only option.

the trick will be finding a place where you are not the smartest and there is scope to grow.

1 year of stability might be enough to consider a move but look for something long term.

Depends what sort of thing you are doing or have the skills to do.

xapprenticex

Be mindful of how the workplace works, if you do a good job, management will inflate your ego till the cows come home... as long as you continue doing what they want. When/If you mess up one day, it will end.

I get the impression you dont think too highly of your colleagues but they are not your problem, just get on with your work and be glad you are doing something you can do easily.

Imo if you don't like it, you will have to go look for another job, you can drop an ultimatum but you will walk away realising that we can ALL be replaced.

moneyistooshorttomention

Maybe give the job another year or so - ie in order to help balance out that previous chequered work history - and then start looking for something a bit more "demanding".

LilElvis

Given that you are neither stressed or stretched in your current role you could always use your free time to gain further qualifications. If your employers are as enamoured of your abilities they may pay for your course or allow you to have paid study leave.

Ja7188

Seriously, get a grip. There are people on these boards who, in many cases through no fault of their own, are having serious workplace issues - and you don't think you should consider yourself in a good position?

Have you considered that perhaps part of the issue is yourself? Perhaps the quality of your communication with these individuals who supposedly get angry is part of the issue and perhaps the issue is not simply the "intelligence gap" (which, in reality, may or may not exist)...?

Given your checkered work history, and given you don't appear to like being challenged, I can't shake the suspicion that perhaps you consider other than options rather than taking the view that the issue is your co-workers and your company and is not in any way your fault.

You state that your checkered history is for reasons "outside of your control" - it would be interesting to know whose control it WAS under...?

LilElvis

blueandwhiterose wrote: »

My employer has no opportunity for supporting qualifications in anybody, and I have no time for qualifications that don't produce results. As far as being stressed and stretched goes, that's my job - I put that on myself.

You haven't said what field you work in nor your educational attainments - graduate / post graduate / professional qualifications?

Qualifications generally do produce results in that they are a stepping stone on your career path.

blueandwhiterose

Les79 wrote: »

That's a very strange response to someone who has just given you some advice. You may not agree with Ja7188, but the truth of the matter is that you are in a job (it isn't an easy job market right now) and you are relatively stable in that the boss likes you/thinks you are good.

My response is rational and normal. The job market right now is very good. There are many opportunities for growth should one choose to go for it - it's up to the individual to make that choice.

LilElvis wrote: »

Qualifications generally do produce results in that they are a stepping stone on your career path.

If anything the pursuit of qualifications tends to HURT rather than help - I've seen this many times in academia - and the current state of it is creating a lot of "retail" style teachers and lecturers who don't have any idea of what they're teaching, but the college or university needs to create results. Really, the truth is about relationships, in that quarter.

Ja7188 wrote: »

(incoherent babbling)

I apologise for your emotions, this is not about "whose fault", please re-read my initial OP.

WibblyGirly

blueandwhiterose wrote: »

If anything the pursuit of qualifications tends to HURT rather than help - I've seen this many times in academia - and the current state of it is creating a lot of "retail" style teachers and lecturers who don't have any idea of what they're teaching, but the college or university needs to create results. Really, the truth is about relationships, in that quarter.

Well I best drop my Masters then and get my retail CV dusted off. :rotfl:
Degrees do help and so do other qualifications It is the ones you choose and why you chose them that help. My Masters (and to an extent my undergrad) both lead to a professional role that will pay double what I was earning in retail and has potential to earn high amounts.
I saw a job advertised in my sector for £70k per year which is something I can aspire to in the future, of course, that will be after some more training and keeping up with the relevant qualifications needed.

BorisThomson

Half term anyone?

Ja7188

Your last post just adds weight to my theory that the problem is very probably you - rather than actually addressing my points, you dismiss them as 'incoherent babbling'. Is it really your idea of 'rational and normal' behaviour to attempt to attack or discredit anyone who questions you? Your interest and/ or ability to address simple points does not exactly paint a picture of the intelligent individual you clearly consider yourself to be.

Also, nothing in your original posts offers up anything as to why your history is checkered, other than to make it clear that you believe it to be for reasons outside of your control and hence not your fault. My question therefore still stands - whose fault was it?