Written by: Aileen Carson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Even when you have done a job for years, you can still doubt your own abilities and wonder whether you’re capable of moving on and doing something else.
You might feel confident in your current job as you’ve been doing it for years, but the thought of moving somewhere else makes you feel as though you know nothing. Deep down you know that’s not true as you learnt how to do your current job and you’ve always done it well, but moving to another employer and doing a different job is filling you with anxiety.
Will another employer value your skills and experience? Do you have the ability to do another job? Will other employers want you?
Your current job might have become predictable which makes you feel safe. A new job won’t be so predictable as you’ll need time to settle in and learn the systems and processes of a new employer, as well as forming relationships with new colleagues.
It’s perfectly natural to have doubts, but it’s important to keep them in perspective. Here are a few tips to help you.
Identify your skills
Remember you’re not starting all over again. You’ll have gained a lot of useful skills and experience with your current or most recent employers, so identify these skills and think of ways of demonstrating them to a new employer.
You might have got used to doing things in a certain way with one employer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t adapt. Look at how you’ve adapted in the past when you’ve experienced any changes or difficulties in your life.
Reflect on previous jobs
Think back to when you started a new job in the past and remind yourself how you settled in. How did you learn how the company operated? How did you build relationships with your manager, colleagues and customers? What skills or behaviours did you need to do this? What worked well and what would you do differently next time?
Separate your environment from your ability
Sometimes your environment can cause you to lose confidence. If you’ve spent years being managed by someone who has belittled you or who has micromanaged you, you might think this is because you’re not capable of doing your job. You might have experienced workplace bullying. All these things can cause you to believe you’re not good enough, but ask yourself if this is true or whether your environment has contributed to a loss of confidence. If it’s the latter, it’s definitely time to make a move to an environment where you’ll thrive.
Challenge your beliefs about yourself
This can often be easier said than done. Ask yourself if your lack of confidence is a belief you hold about yourself. Where is the evidence that you can’t do any other job? You managed to do your current job well, so what makes you think you can’t do other jobs?
Your lack of confidence in your own ability is your perception. It doesn’t mean you can’t do your job. Give yourself some credit for what you have achieved over the years and use this to help you with your next challenge. Let go of whatever stories you’re telling yourself if they’re not serving you.
Adopt a growth mindset
If your confidence has been affected by previous experiences in the workplace, try not to let this cloud your judgement when considering new opportunities. Perhaps you don’t have all the skills you need for your next job, but having a growth mindset where you believe you can develop and grow will help you. Recognise that the only person keeping you in your current position is you and that you can change this.
If you’re still trying to decide whether to make the move, imagine how you’ll feel in a year’s time when you’re still in the same job, having been too scared to apply for anything else. Then imagine how you’ll feel when you’ve found the confidence to move on and you’re doing a job that’s more fulfilling.
If you’re struggling to find the confidence to look for a new job or if you’re not sure what you want to do next, get in touch. I can help.
Aileen Carson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Aileen Carson is a professional coach who specialises in helping managers find ways of reducing stress and avoiding burnout to help them gain clarity on the next steps of their career.
Aileen works with people who are unclear about where their career is heading as they are under constant pressure to achieve results. She helps them work out strategies to deal with stress so they can focus on their career ambitions.
Aileen’s own career transitions and personal experience of burnout have given her valuable insight that feeds into her coaching work. Her previous clients have learnt to recognise their own needs, improve their wellbeing, work out their next career moves, recognise the signs of burnout, increase their confidence and improve their leadership skills.
