Emotions during Job Change

Emotions during Job Change

Looking for another job is not easy and nor does leaving the current one. It doesn't strike till the time we have put down the papers and the count down starts. This is the phase when we have excitement for the new opportunity but somewhere we are nostalgic for our current work place as well.

How to tackle those emotions while taking opportunities in your Carrier

Part one: For the company you are working in

“I’ll put my heart, mind and soul to my work” cheesy, but we all say this at the time of interview (or near about this). Though we try our best not to but somehow we do give our mind (consciously), heart and soul (sub consciously) to our work. It appears glossy till the time you are going along but the twist in the tale comes when the matter of interest changes aka when you decide to part your ways. In our corporate it’s very common and a classic example. When we are in good term with our management, there are opportunities our way and we get an opportunity from outside or even worse when we know internally that we will be looking for opportunities outside. At that moment we feel guilty as a criminal who didn’t even committed a crime. Let’s see what are the possible emotions we can feel at the time of job change and ways to handle them.

Confrontation

“I’ll straight away go to my manager tomorrow and will disclose that there is a ‘chance’ that I ‘may’ take an opportunity”

You want to be honest with your manager as you are very emotional to your work, I agree. But the key words here are “Chance” and “may” so you are going to create an issue out of something that is “probable” to happen in future. Chances are you may lose some key opportunities in your current role for something that may not even exist and then your manager may not even trust for valuable projects on you.

Self-Guilt

“I feel selfish of ‘just’ thinking about me. I am betraying my manager and I am a horrible bad person”

Okay first thing it’s just not bad to think about yourself, it’s natural. In this era other version of “being selfish” is “being practical”. While “Being Practical” sting very badly in personal life; it sounds worse than actually it is when it comes to professional life. With great work and handsome salary in your hand you may think a little less guilty or may be guilty with good money won’t hurt that bad. On that note I want to make it very clear that I am not justifying any sort of cheat or fraud with your boss, it’s just an extra fuel to make those emotional decision in life turning opportunities.

Care for your Work

“Who’ll take care of my ongoing projects? My company may lose this work in my absence”

Frankly we all go through this and especially when we are in our first job. Where you have this “Irreplaceable” feeling and you feel responsible like hell. But always remember every work place has one golden rule

The company was running before you were there

It is running when you are there

And it will continue to run when you’ll not be there

So neither your seniors who have left were irreplaceable and nor are you. You have handled their work seamlessly and someone else will handle yours.

Feeling bad for your Boss

“He’s so good and I feel very bad for him. I feel bad of leaving him in middle”

That’s a very lame justification you’ll find of ruining your career after n years when you’ll look back. At that time your juniors may not feel the same way for you as you are thinking right now for your boss. They will take the decision of moving on in life that you couldn’t take. Honestly, if you really want to do something for him and don’t want to leave him in middle then create your replacement with your own hand.

Blocking the Coming Rewards

“I shouldn’t be taking those opportunities, as it wouldn’t be fair that I take them and then leave!”

This is a very obvious thought comes into your mind when you are actually planning to leave and when someone just gives ticket of a travel in your hand. But, think it like that; why only you? There are other people in your team as well if it’s only you then obviously it’s not a treat for all, “You are the chosen one (One of my favorite phrases from Harry Potter)”! So, you must have worked really hard for it, then why not reap the benefits? Secondly, its benefit for you but its need for them and that’s also part of work only.

All of the suggestions may not hold true for everyone but I would suggest give it a shot and consider this a third person’s perspective, as usually emotions fade out the truth!