According to the Oxford Review of Economic Policy , “the UK’s economic performance since the global financial crisis has seen real wage growth stagnating for over fifteen years”. And if you ask Connar Luckford, a Student Success Lead at targetjobs , that “freeze” might apply to your career path too – not just the money you’re paid. “A winter career freeze is a period when your work life feels frozen. Not collapsing. Not ending. Just stuck,” he said. Job huggers – those who cling to a position they’d honestly rather leave because of the brutal job market – might be familiar with the feeling. Here, Luckford shared seven signs you might be in a “winter career freeze,” and what to do about it. 1) You hate people asking what you do, or what’s next for you You might “laugh, switch the subject or deflect” when this gets brought up, the expert told us. 2) You physically do your work, but are mentally tapped out If “You achieve your targets and meet deadlines, but emotionally feel disconnected, like you’re working on 1% battery,” you might be facing a “career freeze,” said Luckford. 3) You constantly think about quitting, but have no clue what you’d do instead Always scrolling job ads after work, but nothing feels right? Yup, that’s a classic sign. 4) You feel your goals and values have outgrown your job You might want more creativity or flexibility, but if your “job feels stuck in the past,” Luckford said, you may be in a freeze. 5) You feel guilty for feeling unfulfilled “You tell yourself you should be grateful, that many people would love your job and dream of being in your position,” the success leader said. “But gratitude and alignment aren’t the same thing.” 6) You’re hoping January brings a magical “reset” “In some cases, you might promise yourself each year that things will change,” but they never do. 7) You’re constantly busy, but never feel like you make any progress If even a full schedule and constant work don’t make you feel like you’re moving forward, consider it a red flag. How can I get out of a career freeze? Try setting up an honest review of your work year, said Luckford. Set aside half an hour to go through your favourite parts of the year, what you’re proud of, what made you feel most drained, and when you felt confident. “Mark each one down as green (keep), amber (phase out), or red (deal breaker).” You can also try to “reshape” your role instead of leaving it. Ask your boss about any adjustments they can make, drop less important tasks, and see whether you can swap responsibilities with someone who has different strengths. Reconnecting with people who inspire you, choosing a single skill to improve by March, and trying a three-month experiment – where you try lower-risk stints at a new career, by eg freelancing, volunteering, or shadowing someone – could help too. Related... Most Gen Z Workers Think The Career Ladder Is Dead 6 Signs You're The Office Overachiever (And How It Can Harm Your Career) What Is 'Job Hugging' – And Does It Help Or Hurt Your Career?