Fear Of Change: What's So Scary About Starting A New Job?

What is stopping us from looking for a new job if we are not satisfied with our current one? Aside from the complexity of the job market and the understandable need to hold on to stability, there are many other reasons that make us think twice before applying for an offer.

Elena Alameda, a psychologist specializing in work and business issues, explains that “People like stability, which is known and familiar. Making a decision that changes our lifestyle and confronts us with something new always causes stress and anxiety and makes us feel like we need to come back to safety. The work we can do well becomes our comfort zone; That is why it is so difficult for us to decide to change jobs.”

Also, not all situations are created equal, explains Rafael San Román, a psychologist specializing in corporate wellbeing. “Changing jobs when you already have one, making a controlled decision, is not the same as leaving your current job with no alternative and then looking for another.”

Such a situation usually generates mixed feelings. “It’s normal to feel positive emotions, like the excitement of starting something new and the hope of achieving satisfying professional success. But negative emotions can also arise, such as the fear of not being good enough for the new job,” says psychologist Bernardo Ruiz.

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The first step is to apply for a new job, which seems easy, but is already a challenge, as it takes time and energy to search and, if necessary, assess your possibilities and expectations. If the company is interested in you, the arduous journey of selection procedures begins; According to LinkedIn, a selection process takes an average of 60 to 65 business days.

“Some processes are very long, very demanding, with a lot of comings and goings, periods of silence where we don’t know what happened to our application and more, as well as factors that influence how we experience the whole thing: how much we want this position, how much we need it, our current situation,” says Rafael San Román in reference to this waiting period.

If all goes well, at some point it will be time to start a new job, which is usually a positive experience. However, that does not mean that adapting to change will be easy.

The answer to the question of how long it takes to adapt to a new job is also relative. According to data from the Harvard Business Review, 72% of people say they are themselves at work, even though it takes them an average of two to three months to show themselves in this environment. Of this group, 60% felt authentic after three months and 22% after nine months.

Adapting to a new work environment through to the natural ability to act is an important process. So much so, that a study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies concluded that the greater employees’ sense of authenticity, the greater their job satisfaction, engagement, and performance.

Regarding this dynamic, Bernardo Ruiz points out that the most important thing is to adapt to “a new work ecosystem”. This includes elements such as adapting to the new tasks, colleagues and the way the new company works.

However, if one of the most crucial factors had to be singled out, it might be the ability to adapt to a new social group. “I think the challenges of being part of a new work environment have a lot to do with how we treat and communicate with our colleagues. We have to accept that we need an adjustment period to learn how the new company works and how things are done; Colleague support is essential in these cases,” emphasizes Elena Alameda.

Of course, the bosses also have their part of the responsibility. “Adjustment is a phase of adjustment between the company and the worker. Both must do their part to ensure that both company and employees feel that their decision to work together was the right one,” reflects Rafael San Román.

The psychologist insists that even as the new hire familiarizes himself with the company during the selection process, when he starts his new job “remains vulnerable because he has to adapt quickly to a new environment that already has a lot of people are established personal and entrepreneurial dynamics that they need to embrace and make a part of their lives.”

With these challenges in mind, Elena Alameda shares some key advice on adapting to a new work environment.

Don’t rush anything. Take some time to adjust and learn all the new things that come with your new position.
It’s important to set aside some time for yourself, engage in activities that help you relax, and remind yourself that despite the changes, you’re still yourself.
Maintain a healthy routine. Consider waking up, going to sleep, and eating at the same time. It’s also important to socialize and reserve some downtime.
Get a good night’s sleep. Stress is part of the process of adjusting to a new routine, which is why it’s important to get proper rest at night.
stay curious The cornerstone of a new job is learning. Try to stay curious and integrate everything you learn with everything you already know.
Listen to your emotions and control them. When we face change, our emotions can be turned upside down. For this reason, it is important to accept and manage any emotion you feel (using techniques such as relaxation, conscious breathing, meditation, putting your feelings on paper, or talking to someone you trust). At the end of the day, it’s about expanding your comfort zone, becoming more flexible and continuing to learn.