Is changing jobs stressful? This question is difficult to answer since it is so subjective. For some people, changing jobs may be the most stressful situation they have experienced. For others, it could just be a comfortable transition period. Clearly, the answer will depend on the person and their circumstances.
In this article, we will be taking a look at what can cause stress when changing jobs and how to approach the idea of changing jobs to give you as much peace of mind as possible.
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What can happen during the average job change
When moving from one job to another, your feelings about the change in job depends on how you are feeling about the new job and what you are feeling about the old job. If you are very happy with the new job and not that happy with your current one then it is probably a good idea to leave. Carrying happiness and excitement into a new role can help motivate us to succeed, make an immediate impression and subdue any feeling of anxiety or nervousness which we can all fall victim to.
When starting a new job having previously left your old employer after being fired or made redundant, some of us may have feelings of anxiety, stress and fear of the unknown as a result of fear of job security.
To try and combat this in the very early stages of starting a new job take your time in tasks to make sure you do them correctly and to the standards you would expect of yourself and don’t be afraid to congratulate yourself after a successful day at work.
It would be unreasonable to expect someone to be perfect from day one, so don’t be afraid to feel your way into a job to find your feet and build your confidence. In some professions identifying and delivering “quick wins” at an early stage is a good way to build confidence and score some points with the people who hired you.
Give yourself enough time to review your options
The decision to change jobs is a big one. While it might seem like a quick and easy decision to some, you should take your time to review your options before committing to moving. By giving yourself enough time to review your options when considering changing jobs you will be able to make an informed decision about the role you are applying for without pressure.
You should know the pros and cons of any potential job move. If you are unsure about what it might be like at the new company, ask for more information from the employer or from any mutual connection you may have who already work there.
Think about what your upsides and downsides are
Financial Impact
One of the biggest causes of stress from our work can come from the financial position we are in. One of the first things to consider is the financial implications of moving jobs. In our articles Should you Change Jobs for Less Money and Should You Leave a Job You Love for More Money, we look at the benefits of moving jobs for an increase or decrease in pay.
Job responsibilities and skills
Job responsibilities are another consideration to have. Those looking to reduce the levels of work-based stress they encounter may look for a job with fewer responsibilities. Whereas those chasing promotions knowing the new roles will involve more responsibilities may feel anxious about the workload ahead.
To ease any uneasy feelings over upcoming work pressures, remind yourself of your past experiences and achievements to reassure you of what is to come. If you feel your skills are a little rusty, consider what you could do to get back up to speed. Lots of work-oriented skills such as Microsoft Excel can be learned through YouTube tutorials or affordable courses on websites such as Udemy or Khan Academy.
Business Culture
Another area to think about is the culture of the business you are moving to compared to the one you would be leaving behind. The more introverted among us may feel out of our comfort zone in loud office environments or part of a business culture that expects us to act extroverted. Stepping out of our comfort zone can cause stress if things don’t begin to go well. If you are someone who feels they might not be as adaptable to others in different work environments, consider this something to discover when applying or interviewing for a position.
Work-life balance
Work-life balance is an important area to consider when determining potential future stress that a change in jobs could cause. Rightly or wrongly some of us love our jobs and the idea of putting in extra hours each day or week isn’t an issue and for others getting home and relaxing with friends, family or hobbies is of paramount importance.
A new job that severely impacts our free time compared to what we are used to can cause us great frustration. Before jumping into a job, make sure it not only meets the criteria you are looking for in a job but also sits well with your lifestyle.
Seek out other people to understand experiences
Do not feel like you are alone in having anxious thoughts about changing jobs. Leaving something familiar behind for something unknown is a big step for all of us. One of the things we can do to alleviate our concerns or nerves is to talk with people we know who have gone through job and career changes recently and ask them how they felt.
It is important to listen to other people’s experiences because you can learn from them and see if their experiences match how you are feeling and if they made similar kinds of career moves to the one you are considering.
Engaging with people can help you to learn and understand how they felt prior to applying for jobs, during the application process and during their first few months in the job role.
Job Interviews
Job interviews are a large part of the job changing process. People feel stressed when they are in a job interview because it is an important moment in their life and they desperately want to make a great impression.
In our article 13 Top Job Interview Tips – The Definitive Guide we cover a range of job interview tips to help you prepare for your next job interview and go into the situation feeling more confident and less stressed.
Conclusion
When you leave your job to work for a new company, there are a lot of changes that you will have to face such as a different work schedule, a different commute, and a different boss. All these changes can be stressful to us on different levels.
It is important to take your time when making the decision to move jobs to find something you feel is the right fit for you. Prepare yourself for the job application process and the stresses that can come with job interviews and finally take your time when starting the new job to get yourself settled in and feeling comfortable as soon as possible.
