Alchemy Search

Job Change is Simple and Not Easy

Even when you are completely ready and motivated for what awaits you, the change process is stressful. Add to that the often non-rational aspects of a job search and it should come as no surprise that changing jobs is often not as simple or as easy it looks.

With this in mind, there are several things you can do to ease your way through the job search and minimize your stress:

· Take steady and regular steps in the process and work at a pace that is right for you. Each of us has a rhythm and pattern that works best for us—find yours and stick with it.
· Take care of yourself. During times of stress, we often forget to do this. Exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and eat well.
· Be sure to spend time each day to appreciate yourself, those around you, and for what you have.
· Reward yourself when you have had a particularly productive day, conducted a great interview, or have made contact with a key connection.
· Take “time outs” from the process, as needed, to re-energize yourself.

Another aspect of managing a job change is to see the trajectory of your entire career and to recognize that this is but one part of a larger journey. This change, whether big or small, needs to be seen in the context of your entire life (and relative to what’s most important to you) and of your career (think of past changes, future changes, and how you have and will successfully navigate those). Keeping this job change in perspective will help minimize any stress you are feeling.

Changing jobs is a fairly straightforward process, but it is often accompanied by a fair amount of stress. By following the guidelines above, you will have a much smoother journey and be much more likely to achieve the goals you’ve laid out for yourself.

Mark Guterman
mark@alchemysearch.com