Don’t Let Fear Get in the Way of a New Opportunity
Looking for a new job can bring up a surprising amount of anxiety. Even when you know you’re ready for something different, taking that first step can feel overwhelming. Updating your resume, applying for positions, talking to recruiters, going on interviews, and eventually having to decide on an offer can be scary. Sometimes it feels safer to stay where you are, even if you’re not satisfied with your current role.
The Hidden Risk of Staying Comfortable
Where does this anxiety come from? Basically, taking a risk can be scary. We worry about leaving a familiar job, losing stability, having to learn something new, or walking into a new environment. But there’s also a risk in staying somewhere that no longer challenges you or gives you room to grow. There’ is a cost to being comfortable when it comes to your career.
Taking a Calculated Risk Without Needing Complete Certainty
You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow to move your career forward. There’s a big difference between taking a calculated risk and making an impulsive decision! A lot of the anxiety surrounding a job change comes from wanting certainty before making a decision. We want to know that the new job will be better, the people will be great, the boss will be supportive, the money will be worth it, and everything will work out. When you’re considering a change, there’s always going to be some uncertainty, but that should not keep you from a new role, because there’s also uncertainty in staying put.
Exploring Opportunities Doesn’t Mean Making a Commitment
An important thing to consider when starting a job search is realizing that looking doesn’t mean committing. Sending out an application doesn’t mean you have to accept an offer. Taking an interview doesn’t mean you’re promising to leave your current job. Even receiving an offer doesn’t mean you have to say yes. Looking is simply gathering information. Once you see it that way, the process can feel a lot less intimidating.
What You Can Learn by Exploring Your Options
Once you start interviewing, you might discover that your skills are more valuable than you realize. You might find a position that pays more, offers better flexibility, has a healthier culture, or gives you an opportunity to do work you enjoy. You might even realize that you’re not ready to make a move yet, or that there is a new opportunity with your current company. Sometimes the smartest decision is to stay where you are, build your skills, save some money, or wait for a better opportunity. But sometimes the only thing standing between you and a great opportunity is fear. That’s when you must remind yourself that being anxious doesn’t mean you’re making the wrong decision. It means you’re doing something that matters. The important thing is to know that you have explored your options.
Start Small and Give Yourself Permission to Explore
If you’ve been thinking about looking for a new opportunity but anxiety keeps talking you out of it, start small. Update your resume and look at a few job postings, maybe apply for one position that genuinely interests you. Give yourself permission to explore.
Don’t Let Fear Make Your Career Decisions
The biggest risk is not taking a chance on something new, it is letting fear make the decision for you. There’s no way to know exactly how a new opportunity will turn out, but there’s also no way to know what opportunities you might miss by not being open to other possibilities.
GROW YOUR CAREER! – WORK WITH THE LEADING ACTUARIAL RECRUITMENT FIRM!
DW Simpson has grown to become the largest actuarial recruiting firm because of our consistent results. Over the last 36+ years, DW Simpson has placed actuaries in jobs at all levels, and in all actuarial disciplines, and you can find current opportunities here DW Simpson. We are constantly growing and evolving as recruiters and industry knowledge leaders, with an eye towards becoming more effective, better educated, and continuing to drive success for our clients and candidates. DW Simpson also provides the industries’ most trusted actuarial salary survey Actuarial Salary Surveys – DW Simpson