New Year, New Job?
Job searches can be stressful. Working with a therapist while you’re searching can help you navigate toward a successful outcome that balances professional goals with personal values.
The new year typically brings about a myriad of feelings. There is anticipation and excitement for a new year and a fresh start. However, for many of us, lurking below the surface is fear of the unknown. Therapy has been more widely accepted for helping people navigate life versus simply being a prescriptive process for diagnoses. There has been a shift in the culture of the workforce in America. People are navigating unknowns across roles and industries with the state of the economy. Since the pandemic, there has been a trend of people pursuing employment roles based on values and not simply job skills. These values include flexibility, balance, workplace culture, fair pay and upward mobility.
Therapy can be helpful in guiding people navigate the unknowns, soothe anxiety, and make informed choices regarding a new role or career. Therapy is a low stakes place to receive support and identify the emotions that a person may be experiencing about a current position. If you are feeling disillusioned, burnt out, or frustrated with your role or workplace consider the following things you can receive in therapy as you navigate your next steps.
Non-judgmental support
Therapeutic relationships are unique. Therapists are trained and well practiced in opening space for dialogue and exploration of thoughts and feelings without judgment in order to help clients hear themselves think and notice their own feelings. Therefore, as a therapy client you have the freedom to arrive at new insights and ideas without expectations and judgment. Having emotional support to pursue a meaningful and satisfying employment option for yourself is not likely to come from within your organization. And yet, receiving emotional support is paramount to reducing the negative emotions that may arise in job seeking (anxiety, guilt, etc). Therapy is an emotionally safe and secure place where your emotions and thought process related to your career development and employment goals can be explored and validated.
Encouragement to define your values
A major component in why you may be searching for your next role is that the company, leadership, or role do not align with your values. We spend the majority of our lives at work and therefore, spending this much time being misaligned may add to or create distress, anxiety, or depression. In the privacy of therapy, you can honestly name your values and priorities and begin work to align your life accordingly. Finding a role that aligns with your values may be difficult and having a safe place to land during the process is vital.
Alternative perspectives
Therapists will often offer alternative perspectives to help their clients make thoughtful decisions, rehearse important conversations, and practice boundaries, all of which are vital aspects of finding and landing a job or role that aligns with your values. These perspectives are offered in a supportive manner and without pressure or expectation. Anyone who wants to explore different scenarios specifically around interviewing, rendering a resignation, negotiating salaries, and other employment related issues can do so with their therapist.
Pro-tip
Share the job postings that you are interested in with your therapist. Your therapist can help you realistically review responsibilities of the position and highlight any that may specifically challenge you based on the areas you are working on in therapy. This can be a helpful lens that is unique to the therapeutic process.
