Staying Calm in Your Career Even During an Outbreak
With coronavirus, floods and conflicts across the globe, it can be a very unsettling, overwhelming and anxious time. If you are a recent jobseeker, you are likely to experience the added pressure of how this will impact on you and how to find a job in an uncertain climate. The uncertainty of the external environment perhaps mirroring the tension and worry you’re feeling inside.
Companies that have operations abroad and provide products or services from countries where coronavirus has hit hard are bound to have their businesses affected, which may leave employees feeling anxious about how secure their jobs will be and the impact it may have on their families and life in general. In such times, recognising your self-worth and developing resilience can be helpful, and it is good practice to regularly review your career so you are able to adapt to unexpected change.
If you find yourself worrying a lot and this is heightening your anxiety levels, recognising the areas of your life you have no control over and the ones you can influence may help to release you from worrying unnecessarily. For example, when job-hunting you don’t have much control over how global warming and outbreaks can impact on the economy. But you can take control of preventative measures to ensure that risks are mitigated, which will help you feel more in control in times of uncertainty.
Below are some suggestions to help you with managing your career in testing times.
Your Inner Resources
You possess inner resources and gifts. By reflecting and keeping a record of your skills and experience, it will help remind you of your capabilities and also prepare you for the times when you are job searching and need to draw on past experience to highlight your strengths.
Be Visible
Some people think that by being modest they avoid being seen as coming across as arrogant or big headed. However, being modest does not serve people if they are starting up their own business, going for jobs they really want, or connecting with people who could help them in their careers. They often end up hiding just how capable they are and doing a disservice to themselves and to future clients and employers who may need their skills and help. But because you haven’t shared this information, they didn’t think to pick you!
I sometimes say to clients, if you are talking positively about what you can do and it is the truth, then it isn’t arrogance. I can empathise that going for interviews, tests and attending networking events can be nerve-wracking and often people feel judged. Being self-critical is an added level of pressure that can hinder progress. Self-doubt can arise when you are doing something that’s outside your comfort zone. Recognising that you are feeling this way but choosing not to engage in the self-doubt and instead facing your fears can help you to develop confidence. You can also develop confidence by being courageous and focusing on connecting with people and the job role.
If thoughts arise, ask yourself “is it a fear-based thought or does it serve me?” If it’s a fear-based thought, is there anything you can do to address it or can you just let it go? The fact that you’ve been chosen to attend an interview means, on paper, they already think you have the potential to be the candidate that would meet their needs.
Staying Up to Date
Keep up to date with what is going on in your industry and noticeable trends from reading the news, attending industry-related events, following key professionals in the field and seeing what jobs are being advertised. This will help you to be aware of what skills you need to develop to put you in good stead for future changes. If you are looking to transition to a new sector, start engaging with people in that sector to build up your knowledge of it. If what you discover about the new sector excites you, it can be easier to take the leap in making a career change and move away from the job you are perhaps only tolerating.
Alignment
Identify what is important to you in relation to your values, priorities and preferences. When you focus on activities, you will feel more aligned to the things that matter to you and that you care about, so you will feel the benefits in your overall wellbeing.
Plan Your Career
To feel more in control of your career, set intentions of what you’d like from it. Work out how you plan to carry out your actions, within what timescales, and define what success looks like for you. It can be helpful to find supporters who can provide you with the comfort, challenge and hold you accountable for your goals. By taking charge of your own career, you can shift from feeling stuck to gaining momentum.
