Should You Tell Your Boss You’re Not Challenged Enough? How to Ask Your Boss for More Work
By Beth Kuhel
People complain that they’re miserable at work. You might think that’s because they're overworked or underpaid, but for some it’s the boredom and burnout from not being challenged enough. Surprisingly, the antidote to this disengagement and boredom is taking on more challenging projects and ask for more work.
Is asking for more challenging work a good thing? Will it automatically enhance your personal brand as someone who’s “ambitious”? Or, is it possible requesting more challenging work could hurt your personal brand? The answer will depend on how well you’re doing in your current role, whether you're known as a valuable team player, your work relationship with your boss, and your timing.
When is it a bad idea to tell your boss you want more work
If you feel that you are on shaky ground at work and your performance reviews haven’t been that great, asking for more challenging projects is a bad idea and could potentially damage your personal brand.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you have a good rapport with your boss?
- Do you have an excellent overall reputation at work?
- Are you a valuable team player?
- Are you recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty in your own job? Has your boss noticed this?
In order to make a convincing argument for job enrichment, you’ll need to see it from your boss’s perspective. How will your new role benefit your boss and your company? What are the upsides for your co-workers for your assuming more responsibility at work? Could you help alleviate stress from other employees by sharing one of their roles? Can you help to solve a problem the company faces? In short, can you prove that you’re both ready for more challenges and that you’ll be able to advance your boss’s goals?
Key points to consider:
- Your ability to negotiate for something is always greater when you are considered an indispensable part of the team.
- The more well liked and appreciated you are by your boss, the more likely your request for more challenging work will be approved.
- A good time to approach your boss with a request for more work is immediately after you’ve been recognized for an accomplishment.
- Your boss’s time is valuable. Choose a time to approach him/her when things at work are running smoothly.
- Have specific suggestions to offer that add value to your employer. Don’t simply complain about what you’re unhappy with. Your suggestions should specifically address issues that are top of mind for your boss; (e.g., taking on a leadership role in an area that could advance a key project.
- Anticipate your boss’s objections and come prepared with thoughtful reasons for how you’ll help the company’s succeed if given more challenging work.
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Be strategic when asking your boss for more work
In today’s challenging economy, most people realize that having a job is not something you can take for granted. If you’re an employee who wants more challenging work, be strategic in how you make your request for it.
There are two conditions that must be met. First and foremost, the challenging work you request must fit your boss’s needs. Second, it should challenge you. The main message you should transmit is how your new role will benefit him/her?
If you’ve identified an area where you can help that’s a known priority for your boss you’ll be more likely to succeed in getting what you want. This way your boss will have no reason to say anything else but, “Sure, that sounds great. Let’s talk about it.”
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Beth Kuhel is a contributor to the Personal Branding Blog. She is founder and president of Get Hired, LLC and the co-author of From Diploma to Dream Job: Five Overlooked Steps to a Successful Career. Beth's coaching assists students and career changers to successfully match their needs, interests, passions, skills and personal goals with the needs of sustainable industry in a sustainable location. Beth is a C.E.I.P. (Certified Employment Interview Professional). She coaches individuals and groups at all stages of their career journey to maximize their potential for success. You can follow her on Twitter @BethKuhel
