As Halloween is just a few days away, we think it’s safe to say changing jobs can be spooooky. (see what we did there?!)
Changing jobs is noted as one of the most stressful experiences we as humans face. If changing careers makes you feel paralyzed and overwhelmed with self-doubt, you’re not alone. Making a transition is scary and difficult no matter if a small shift in your career or a giant leap to a new industry. Research on stress shows that the brain biologically perceives changing jobs as one of the most stressful human expereinces. Others at the top of the stress-o-meter? Having a baby, moving homes, and getting married. We can sum it up with… big changes to our day-to-day lives cause stress.
The Stress of Changing Jobs
From submitting your application to a number of interviews, the process of hiring is challenging and stressful with the cherry on top being the big first day. Not only starting a job but also interviewing for one can leave many job candidates completely spooked!
If you’re headed to a new job in the coming weeks, read on! We think you’ll find these six tips useful.
- Get talking! Some of our greatest fears come from the ideas rolling around in our minds. Try talking with someone you trust about your worries. Studies have shown that simply talking about our problems and sharing our negative emotions with someone we trust can be profoundly healing—reducing stress, strengthening our immune system, and reducing physical and emotional distress (Pennebaker, Kiecolt-Glaser, & Glaser, 1988).
- Prepare! Whether it be preparing by planning ahead with packing your lunch or setting up your new work email in advance, focus on what you can do to prepare as much as possible for your new job. Looking for a place to start? We love these tips from Business Insider.
- Plan on celebrating! You’ve done a lot of work to get to the first day of a new job… plan something to celebrate after your first day. Maybe it’s grabbing a treat to sip on your commute home or picking up take out, but celebrate your accomplishment. When you celebrate, endorphins are released inside your body and you feel happy. When you accomplish something and don’t take the time to celebrate, you are robbing yourself of an important feeling that reinforces your success. Celebrating your success not only feels great physically, but it reinforces the behavior you want to show up when you face a new challenge or the next stressful situation.
- Set your expectations. As humans, we are disappointed the most when our expectations are not met. Control your expectations for the first day and even the first week. You’re new at this so of course you will make mistakes and have to ask for help along the way. Expect to give yourself lots of grace.
- Speak up! You’ve heard it said there’s no such thing as a dumb question… only the questions not asked!
- Show up with a positive attitude! Research is beginning to reveal that positive thinking is about much more than just being happy or displaying an upbeat attitude. Positive thoughts can actually create real value in your life and help you build skills that last much longer than a smile.
