Almost all of us are familiar with the feeling of anxiety before the first day at a new job. In this article we will try to explain the reasons for the occurrence of such a condition due to, by and large, an almost ordinary event. Moving to a new job is a real challenge for some. We all know the feeling when “our hearts demand change,” but an inner anxious “worm” gnaws and forces us to sit still. This article will focus specifically on fear of a new job, not to be confused with ordinary fear of work.
Causes of fear
Fear of a new job is a natural state. No matter how oppressed we are by our previous service, no matter how offended we are by our boss or outraged by low earnings - all this is a comfort zone that has set teeth on edge. Even if you say: “What kind of comfort is this?” - This is true. The comfort is that you know what awaits you. There is no unknown for you: yes, a small salary, yes, a harmful director, yes, the work is primitive - but there are no surprises. This is comfort.
Fear when changing jobs arises precisely from not knowing what to expect. After all, employment affects several factors at once: job responsibilities, interaction with people (boss, employees, clients), working conditions, wages. Dissatisfaction with any of these points can lead to the fact that the job becomes hell and ends in dismissal.
Fear of a new job can be caused by a combination of reasons. Most often it overtakes people experiencing general self-doubt. A person with low self-esteem tends to experience great anxiety about what others will think of him. A new place means a new experience, and it’s not a fact that it will be successful.
Such a person is especially let down by his fear of asking a question again, so as not to seem incompetent. And in a new position, a lot of questions always arise, the lack of answers to which increases anxiety even more, and the circle closes.
An important reason may be previous negative experiences. A person tends to transfer his past experiences to a new place and provoke the same problems with his behavior. If your relationship with management did not work out at your previous job, you will perceive any new boss with particular suspicion and anxiety. However, it is worth noting that the manager can also change at the old job. But this is not perceived so acutely, because everything else is familiar.
I want to change everything, but I’m afraid – what should I do?
When we dare to change, we cannot predict the future and try to imagine it based on our experience. This is a projection, subconscious past failures, failures that we imagine in the future. Therefore, when you decide to change your profession, you are afraid of the unknown and afraid of failure. Hence the fears - not to live up to trust, to disgrace ourselves, the fear that we will be considered a failure.
Yes, the brain plays cruel tricks on us. We have certain life experiences, in professional terms, built certain neural connections that have become entrenched. Building new connections is difficult, it is easier for the brain to do the same familiar actions - this is more convenient for it than learning something new.
We can't predict the future, so it scares us. People are often afraid of new things, even when reality does not suit them.
For example, you may have a leader who raises his voice and gives unclear tasks, but you are used to him and know what to expect from him, what he will do tomorrow or in an hour. That is, you can roughly predict what will happen next. The brain is happy with this situation and doesn’t want to change anything.
What kind of people are afraid of a new job?
A special fear of a new place is typical for people of a certain type, and here we are talking not only about self-esteem. Problems with communication skills are acutely manifested in situations of a new team. Introverts often experience increased anxiety when changing jobs. Their psyche is structured in such a way that establishing social contacts occurs slowly and in some positions this is a problem. Getting to know new responsibilities and colleagues moves slowly and is not always met with understanding. Introverts know this about themselves and begin to worry in advance.
Temperament also plays a big role. Choleric and melancholic people are not able to remain balanced in stressful situations, and a new job is definitely stressful. Questions and misunderstandings that arise unsettle them, the level of anxiety rises, and emotions take over.
The worst thing is that after this they begin to feel guilty, to work themselves up even more, although in fact, it is quite likely that no one from the environment attached much importance to their behavior. And again the circle of anxiety closes. It is for such people that this notorious exit from the comfort zone is a big problem. They are terribly afraid of both a new job and moving.
The situation often gets worse when it comes to a woman on maternity leave, or a person who suffers at her real job, does not develop and feels an urgent need to change something.
Stress is not always bad
Resistance to stress depends on temperament, characteristics of upbringing, and personal qualities. But it is definitely easier to endure stress for a morally flexible person, who sees the positives even in a difficult situation, who is used to overcoming difficulties, and has similar experience of a sudden change of profession. Such flexibility depends on the conditions in which we live. That is, when we have taken risks more than once, had similar experiences of sudden changes, then the brain seems to tell us - everything will be fine, this has already happened, you can handle it.
Stress is a trigger for some because they are already used to overcoming difficulties. By the way, people who are fond of extreme sports, and this is a certain stress, also receive the “happiness hormone” - dopamine. Therefore, it is produced not only when we jump with a parachute, but also when we find ourselves in a stressful situation and overcome difficulties.
Everyone experiences stress differently and during it there is a strong release of hormones, which can lead to disruptions in the body’s functioning. Therefore, you should not overload yourself with stress and you need to change something in your life gradually, not abruptly.
Signs and manifestations of fear
The fear can be so strong that it prevents you from deciding to leave your previous position. A person may be well aware that he has outgrown it, that the salary is not satisfactory, that there are better options in every sense, but acute fear prevents him from taking this step. When a person overcomes himself and decides to change jobs, the body treacherously turns on.
Before an interview or even before the first day of work, amazing metamorphoses begin. A previously calm and cool person begins to run to the toilet, choke, and feel dizzy. These offensive symptoms further increase anxiety: “What if I disgrace myself there, at work? What will they think of me? And everything starts with a vengeance.
The autonomic nervous system responds to stress. Nausea occurs, your legs give way, your heart just jumps out of your chest, your face turns red or pale, your mouth becomes dry, your armpits sweat, your voice breaks. Particularly suspicious people begin to experience problems long before the event. They have nightmares or completely lose sleep, their appetite disappears, and chronic illnesses worsen.
Symptoms of neophobia
Neophobia falls under the category of anxiety disorders, so when exposed to triggers, a person may experience any (if not all) of the following physical and/or psychological symptoms:
- sweating;
- shiver;
- hot flashes or chills;
- shortness of breath, feeling of suffocation, difficulty breathing;
- cardiopalmus;
- chest pain;
- feeling of butterflies in the stomach;
- nausea, dry mouth;
- headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, disorientation;
- weakness;
- numbness or tingling in the body;
- fear of losing control;
- fear of fainting;
- feelings of guilt, shame, disconnection;
- sadness, feeling of hopelessness;
- difficulty concentrating;
- anger, irritability, mood swings.
A person experiencing these symptoms will often go to great lengths to avoid the phobic situation. This leads to missed opportunities, poor quality of life and mental well-being, which can ultimately lead to depression. This is why it is necessary to learn to overcome neophobia.
How to overcome fear of a new job
Pathological fear can be caused by serious mental disorders, so if fear leads you to panic attacks, it is better to consult a psychotherapist or at least a consulting psychologist. A specialist will help you figure out what exactly you are afraid of, what your fear is based on, and how you can work with it.
There are often cases when such irrational fear has deep roots and this is only one of the possible manifestations. Nowadays, turning to a psychologist is not something shameful.
Until recently, people had the idea that mentally ill people or those who have a lot of money and free time go to a psychologist. Fortunately, people are gradually beginning to realize that a psychologist is the same specialist as the hairdresser whose services you resort to. After all, doesn’t it seem strange to you that someone who has been specially trained can do your hair better than you yourself? That is why with some problems in your head you should come to a professional, and not suffer yourself or pester your girlfriends and relatives.
However, quite often a person is able to independently overcome the fear of a new job. In order for fear to decrease, you need to admit to yourself that it exists. Honest dialogue with yourself is an important part of the awareness process. Next, “therapy” yourself: what are you afraid of? Who are you afraid of? Follow your thoughts, no matter how absurd they may seem to you.
Try to get to the bottom of the truth. In fact, you have all the answers to your questions in your head. For example, you are afraid of not joining the team. What does this mean to you? Do you want to find friends there? Maybe. What if you don't find it? Yes, you have friends outside of work. After all, you can maintain a formal relationship with your colleagues without getting too close, and this will not harm your reputation in the least.
Do you want to please everyone? What for? What happens if not everyone likes you? If such questions lead you to the conclusion that your opinion of yourself depends on what those around you think about yourself, then you need to work on self-sufficiency. Concentrating on your strengths and positive qualities helps you overcome fear. Yes, you don’t yet know how successfully you will cope with your new job, however, you have a lot of positive examples in which you achieved good results.
Are you afraid of your boss? And why? What makes you think that he is some kind of evil, or a tyrant, or a stupid person? Why do you think he won't like you? What is it about you that should push him away? Conversely, you may be afraid that he will like you so much that he will begin to behave indecently towards you? What is this fear associated with? Have you had any negative experiences? Why do you think that you cannot defend your boundaries? The answers to all these questions will help you understand your fear thoroughly and, therefore, cope with it.
You may be frightened by seemingly ridiculous questions: what should you call your junior colleagues, “You” or “you”? If it's "you" - won't they consider me too distant, and if it's "you" - I might give the impression of an ill-mannered person. How do you eat here? Carry lunch with you, or go to a cafe? Is there a buffet here? Is it possible to drink coffee during working hours? Will my workplace be comfortable? All this is really important, you just need to make yourself understand that it will take time to adapt and there is nothing terrible about it.
And most importantly, during a dialogue with yourself, answer the question: “what if everything is bad? Nothing is working out, the employees are bastards, the boss is a tyrant, the conditions are unsatisfactory.” Nothing! Just quit and look for something that suits you.
There is nothing wrong with this, you are not signing a contract with the devil, you will not be obliged to work at this new job for the rest of your life. This thought often helps overcome fear before starting a new work activity. You just try, and suddenly it’s “yours” and that’s it.
I want to change my profession, but I don’t know which one to choose
You need to ask yourself this question: “Do I like what I do, does it bring me pleasure, suits me and what do I want for myself?”
You need to dig out your inner desires and needs. For example, a person wants to be famous, to be recognized on the street, then he should think about creating his own video blog. Or wants to have more free time and not go to the office on a regular schedule, then maybe you should think about creating an online store.
And the second question that needs to be answered: “What am I unique about, what can I do better than others?” That is, you need to find your “trick”. For example, a woman grew violets; it was her hobby. Then she started making a video about it, where she talked about how to care for flowers, what to feed them, and the conditions that suit them. Now she has thousands of subscribers and a lot of orders for violets from all over the country.
You can also try taking a career guidance test. Tests only help in determining the direction in which you should try yourself, but do not give a clear answer as to which profession is suitable for you.
Expert advice
Some useful tips to help you feel more confident when applying for a new job:
- first of all , be friendly, smile and don't try to pretend to be something.
- secondly , don't be afraid to ask questions. People love to talk about themselves and show their competence in something. However, don't go too far; your questions shouldn't be too personal or intrusive.
- thirdly , the well-known saying about someone else's monastery is very correct. First, observe how the employees of the new team behave. Gradually you will integrate into it, and if you earn authority, then you will be able to correct some aspects that seem inappropriate to you.
- fourthly , do not let us push through your boundaries, and at the same time do not flaunt them. And finally, if you can’t calm down your excitement and anxiety, think about how you react to new people in the team? Would you pay attention to everything that is bothering you now? Do you change your attitude towards a person depending on how he is dressed, or how quickly he has mastered his new job? Don't overestimate others and value yourself.
Life and business coach Larisa Kislova discusses how you can overcome your fear of a new job in the following video:
Let's recap
It's normal to be afraid of change. Fear indicates mental stability. But being afraid and not doing it is not normal. If, because of the fear of the unknown, you continue to live in your uncomfortable but familiar world, this means that you are not doing your job and living a life that is not yours.
If you want to go remote, you need to find a way to deal with your fear of change. Because freelancers constantly work with different customers, perform new tasks, and fear slows down and interferes with successful work.
Fight your fear of change, practice the techniques that help you most, and start moving towards achieving your goals!
conclusions
The fear of a new job is familiar to almost all of us to one degree or another. Some people are able to overcome it on their own, while others need to consult a psychologist. This is not surprising, because for many people work is a second home, and they really want it to be pleasant or at least comfortable to go there. Before starting a new job, try to accept the idea that this anxiety is temporary and gradually you will become familiar with all the nuances and feel good. And if not, then to hell with it, you’ll find a new one!
Focus on immediate goals
Set small and easily achievable goals that will help you navigate through change with the best results. The brain will be busy with business, therefore, there is simply no time to worry, and at the same time you will develop the necessary base.
While going through or just planning changes, track your development process
It is best to keep a diary where you write down what needs to be done and what the result was.
Such actions will allow:
- or congratulate yourself on a small success (which will go towards your self-esteem);
- or identify the cause of failure and consider further steps .
Achieving the goal
Apotomopesophobia
The first car appeared in 1885, and people started talking about apotomopesophobia relatively recently.
This long and complex word refers to the fear of pedestrians suddenly running onto the road. Every year there are more and more cars on city streets. The number of drivers experiencing fear is also growing. Now 26% of all Russian motorists are susceptible to this phobia. If you periodically experience such sensations, do not delay, try to solve this problem immediately. Independent work or a psychologist - choose any methods, do not forget that the situation on the road depends on the psychological state of the driver.
