Signs You’re About to Be Fired or Will Never Get Promoted… (Sorry, but Someone Had to Say It)

Let’s be honest—sometimes your gut tells you something’s off at work, and deep down, you know you’re not heading toward that shiny corner office. But maybe you just need a little confirmation… or maybe you’re still hoping it’s just your paranoia. Either way, let’s look at the signs—the real signs—that you’re either stuck forever or about to be gently escorted out of the building (virtually or otherwise).

Maybe you’ve been getting vague feedback that sounds more like a horoscope than helpful advice. Or your boss suddenly went from casually friendly to mysteriously cold, like you’re starring in a workplace version of a true crime documentary. If your responsibilities are vanishing faster than snacks in the break room, it might not be a coincidence.

But hey, no need to panic—yet. Recognizing the signs early can actually be your secret weapon. Whether you need to pivot your behavior, have that awkward-but-necessary conversation, or polish your LinkedIn profile, the key is to stay aware, stay smart, and avoid becoming that clueless coworker everyone talks about in Slack DMs.

source: freepik

1. Your Feedback Sessions Feel Like Vague Horoscopes

You walk out of a 1:1 meeting with your manager thinking, “Did I just get complimented… or threatened?”
If your feedback sounds like:

“You need to work on your synergy with the team and enhance your strategic adaptability…”

Translation: We have no idea what you’re doing, but we know it’s not promotion-worthy.

Feedback should be specific, actionable, and come with a game plan. If your manager keeps tossing around fluffy corporate jargon with no actual direction or timeline, you’re being strung along like a Netflix series that should’ve ended in Season 2.

2. Your Manager’s Mood Changes Faster Than a Coffee Addict on a Cleanse

Last week they were asking about your weekend plans, and now they’re avoiding eye contact like you owe them money.
If they’ve suddenly gone cold, short-tempered, or overly formal—spoiler alert—they’re not prepping your promotion speech. They might be building a mental case file to justify letting you go.

Managers are strategic creatures. A sudden change in tone isn’t a random personality quirk—it’s an HR chess move.

3. You’re on an Endless Feedback Loop to Nowhere

You’ve “worked on your soft skills,” “taken initiative,” and even volunteered for that 7 AM meeting with the Tokyo team. And yet, your progress is like a loading bar stuck at 89%.

The problem? You might be stuck in feedback limbo, where no matter what you improve, the goalposts keep moving.

At some point, you have to ask: Are they mentoring you… or just politely stalling?

4. You’re Suddenly Getting “Friendly Warnings” in the Hallway

You bump into your manager near the break room and they drop something like:

“You know, with all the changes coming, it’s best to stay flexible…”

Uh-oh. That’s not small talk. That’s code for “We’re testing how close you are to jumping ship.”

Bonus points if they say this while looking dramatically into the distance.

5. The Company Is Always “Restructuring” and You’re Always Nervous

If every few weeks there’s a “restructuring,” “realignment,” or “strategic shift,” and you’re always the one Googling “how to tell if you’re getting laid off”—it might be time to polish that LinkedIn profile.

And if they’re talking about budget cuts, but just hired a Chief Happiness Officer and installed a meditation room, it’s probably not a good sign for your department.

6. Your Manager is Lowkey Trying to Make You Quit

This one’s sneaky. You’re getting weird projects no one wants, feedback with a passive-aggressive smile, and you’re suddenly being left out of important emails.

What’s going on?

They might be hoping you resign on your own. That way, they don’t have to look like the bad guy. Charming, right?

7. They Say You’re “Not a Cultural Fit”

A classic. This usually means:

“You exist, but we wish you were someone else.”

If you’ve heard this line, especially after you’ve been at the company for months (or years!), it’s not you—well, okay, maybe it is a little you—but mostly it’s them not wanting to deal with the awkwardness of being upfront.

8. Quick Checklist – Should I Be Worried?

Sometimes your brain needs less drama and more structure. So here’s a clean, no-nonsense (okay, some nonsense) table to help you decode what’s going on. Check what applies—and maybe start updating that LinkedIn profile if too many hit close to home.

So… What Now?

You’ve got two options:

• Option 1: Keep playing the game. Sharpen those “behavioral competencies,” learn to speak fluent “corporate,” and maybe—just maybe—you’ll climb the ladder.
• Option 2: Realize the signs are clearer than a neon exit sign and start planning your great escape. Update your resume, take a course, network, and prepare to say, “It’s not me, it’s you.”

Please leave a comment below if you have any suggestions for improving the content.

Other references:

https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/signs-you-might-get-fired

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2024/04/05/signs-you-are-being-quiet-fired

Thank you and see you!