The concept of the learning curve is well known to trainers, but rarely applied to career thinking.

Every job has a learning curve. A “steep learning curve” is a demanding but positive experience – a stage in life when you are learning new skills and strategies. New jobs are exciting because everything is new. Getting up to speed quickly is satisfying.

You’ve reached the top of the curve when you’ve learnt how to perform well enough to achieve most role objectives. After that, things can flatten out – particularly in roles requiring repeated processes, such as sales or recruitment. Staff have to find new ways to motivate themselves while struggling with the “same old same old”.

Getting on top of a role can feel like a chance to coast, but that is risky. Running on autopilot may mean you’re less visible, less obviously tapped into the organisational dynamic and closer to the crumbling cliff edge when businesses are cutting back.

In fact, the learning curve rarely stays flat – lack of stimulation and feedback can quickly get you into a rut. If tasks seem less challenging and variety is lacking, you’ve probably hit a downward slope. You may even be under-used or feel de-skilled.

Knowing which kind of slope you’re on is a painless career audit. Seek a role review and new learning (inside or outside work). If your curve really is dipping, it may be time to move on. But don’t be tempted by a job that pays slightly more yet keeps you at the same point on the curve.