How the Wrong Job Is Holding You Back (and What to Do About It)

By McKenzie Cotter

Something we don’t talk about enough — staying in the wrong job comes with hidden costs that add up fast.

⚖️ Confidence – Constant stress and misalignment can make you question your abilities. ⏳ Momentum – Every month in the wrong role delays your path to the right one.

🚪 Opportunities – The longer you stay, the harder it feels to pivot to something better.

💡 Growth – The wrong role doesn’t stretch you; it keeps you small.

❤️ Health – Burnout and unhappiness at work bleed into every area of your life.

🌟 Passion – You risk forgetting why you became a lawyer in the first place.

The right role for you is out there. You don’t have to accept a job, or stay in one, just because it’s an offer, or because it feels “easier” than making a change. You deserve the role that fuels your growth, challenges you in the best ways, and makes you excited to show up.

I’ve experienced several major pivots in my legal career - and each one was a conscious, strategic move: General practice →Litigation →Contract Negotiation →Regulatory/Corporate

Each move was a deliberate step toward a role that better matched my evolving goals, priorities, and strengths. What I’ve learned is that staying too long in the wrong role doesn’t just cost time—it drains energy, slows professional development, and can make future moves more challenging.

Over time, I’ve learned how to recognize the early signs that a job isn’t right - and how to build a smart pivot plan. Here are a few quick tips to help you get clear, take action, and start moving toward work that actually lights you up:

✨ Check your energy levels – Do you end most days drained or energized? Your energy is often the first clue something’s off.

✨ Track alignment with your values – Write down your top 3 values. Does your role support them or constantly put you in conflict with them?

✨ Audit your growth – If you’ve been in the same role for more than a year, ask: what new skills have I built? If the list is short, it may be a sign you’re plateauing.

✨ Test the market – Even if you’re not “ready to leave,” start exploring postings or talking to peers in other practice areas. Sometimes clarity comes from seeing what’s possible.

These are starting points - but making a successful transition takes more than just noticing the signs. It requires strategy: identifying your transferable skills, repositioning your story, and building a clear plan to move into the right role. That’s exactly the process I guide lawyers and law students through.

👉 If you’re feeling stuck, unclear, or just wondering if it’s time to make a change, let’s chat! I’ll help you build the clarity, confidence, and roadmap to land your next big role.

Because your career is too important to settle.

Cheering you on,

McKenzie