Understanding the Emotional Aspects of Job Transitions

Hello Friday. When we leave a job, are let go from one, or make a big career transition, it’s natural to experience a flood of emotions. Reflecting on my own experiences, it’s always been difficult to categorize the array of complicated feelings that accompany big change—but since my career shift, with more time and space to process the many chapters of my career, I realize that in certain moments what I was actually experiencing was grief. We don’t often talk about grief in the context of work. We talk about the excitement and challenge of new opportunities, disappointment when things don’t go as planned, and the exhaustion and frustration that comes from working too long or hard or against our values. But like so many other areas of our lives, grief has a place at work, as well. When we start a new job or change our careers, the choice to pursue one path may come at the cost of others. When we lose a job and it’s not our choice, we forgo an imagined future in that role and with that team. For many, a job can become deeply personal as well—their identities so tied up in what they do that it can be incredibly disorienting and confusing to navigate, even when it’s their choice to move on. These circumstances can bleed further into our personal lives, affecting our routines, our value systems, our finances, and our relationships. But grief is also a journey that helps to crystalize what matters to us most. It opens a window to our values, our priorities, and how we may want to live, and in this case, work differently in the future. When we embrace it, it serves as a powerful tool for becoming—that is, the process by which we’re continuously evolving into who we’re meant to be, moment to moment, day by day. As Irving Berlin once said, “The song is ended but the melody lingers on.” We take the lessons from each loss and goodbye with us and use them as both anchors and springboards for our growth. Have you ever thought about grief in the context of work? I’d love to hear more about your experience in the comments! #HelloFriday #grief #careerdevelopment #careertransition #careertransformation #loss #reflections #change #leadershipdevelopment #personalgrowth

The job search is an incredibly stressful for so many, not just professionally but emotionally. For many, it's a path paved with uncertainty, rejection, and silence – a challenge to one's mental health that often goes unnoticed. 🔍 The Silent Struggle 🔍 Job seekers today face numerous challenges: from ghosting after interviews to convoluted hiring processes and the heartbreak of rescinded offers or the promise of an offer that never materializes. Each of these instances isn't just a professional setback; they're personal. They chip away at confidence, inject anxiety into enthusiasm, and leave many feeling undervalued and invisible. 🤝 The Need for Authentic Communication 🤝 As professionals, we understand the importance of clear, honest communication in our daily work. Shouldn't the same apply to how we engage with potential team members? The job search is a two-way street, requiring empathy and transparency from both sides. It's about more than filling a position; it's about building relationships and trust, regardless of the outcome. 🌱 A Call to Action 🌱 Advocate for a change in how the hiring process is. To the organizations and HR professionals: remember the person behind the application. A simple update, feedback after an interview, or a timely response can make a world of difference to someone who is investing their hopes and efforts in the opportunity to work with you. To the job seekers: your value is not defined by the outcome of an application or an interview. Your worth is inherent, your skills invaluable, and your resilience commendable. Keep pushing forward, and don't lose sight of your worth. 💡 Remember 💡 Create a culture of empathy and authenticity. Transform the job search from a daunting challenge into a positive experience, regardless of the outcome. Commit to honest, respectful communication — and understand the tables do turn and you that are on the side of hiring, can one day be that job seeker. #JobSearch #MentalHealthAwareness #AuthenticCommunication #HiringProcess

The moment you realize a career transition is calling your name: A flood of emotions. Fear, stress, anxiety, uncertainty... All flowing in suddenly, feeling so very real it seems they’ll never go away. But with some effort you can make them temporary. The first step: Shift your mindset from reactive to proactive. The key now is to maintain your composure and chart a deliberate path forward: 1. Buy yourself time and space to strategize This doesn’t mean checking out, failing to do your job, or becoming the toxic colleague. This means carving out time to make a plan, check your behavior, and think about your legacy at this company. 2. Start documenting your accomplishments Outline your: → major projects, → performance metrics, → the outcomes you and your team achieved, → the tools and systems you used, → your lessons learned along the way. This will help you build an inventory of information that will make it easier for you to update your resume and your LinkedIn profile. 3. Reflect on your values and desires for your next role Answer 3 questions here: - What do I really want? - What am I excited about working on? - What does the world need and want from me? This will help you define your path forward, and narrow the scope of your search to roles that objectively meet your needs and desires. 4. Lean on your support system Your mentors, and perhaps a career coach. Finding a great new job is not easy, it will take time, and there will be bumps along the way. The people around you can be instrumental in helping you see this through. If you’re going to hire a coach, doing so several months before you plan to leave your current role can give you the best return on your investment. Remember, how you handle this transition will leave a lasting impression on your colleagues (your network) and your own sense of professional integrity. Navigating a career inflection point can feel overwhelming. But you don't have to do it alone. If you're ready for a thought partner to help you clarify your goals and make a plan, let's set up a time to have a conversation.

My 2 Cents… I haven’t done one of these in a while because I haven’t had the capacity to engage outside of obligations. Going through personal and professional transition is taxing on the spirit and can directly effect how you show up. Especially as a Leader. The amount of emotional gymnastics I’ve had to perform to lead a team through change is whew! 😅 And I think about my team, and have empathy for them because they don’t have the same advantages I have. I recognize my privilege in being emotionally intelligent, and knowing what tools to use when life is lifing. Education is a privilege. There’s privilege in management and leadership that allow for building on social and emotional intelligent skills (classes, courses, retreats, summits, conferences, etc), that’s not easily accessible or created for our nurses in direct patient care. I can control how much I engage and hide when my emotions are big and distracting Staff Nurses do not have that advantage as KPIs, metrics, Press Ganey, dashboards and other people are micromanaging them. And if they call out due to limited mental health capacity, that’s a problem too. What’s the win-win for them? What does allowing them space to feel the feels of change and transition look like for them? How can we make this privilege equitable? Or should it be? Looking forward to your 2 cents.

#Perspective Navigating a job search can be daunting, especially in challenging times. In her Forbes article, Esther Choy highlights two key perspectives often overlooked that can make a significant difference: 1. **The Emotional Toll**: Acknowledging the emotional impact of job loss is crucial. Feelings of anxiety, loss of identity, and even survivor guilt among those still employed can hinder a job search. It's essential to manage these emotions effectively. 2. **Effective Job Seeking Strategies**: - **Internal Narrative**: Maintain a positive internal dialogue by embracing encouragement from others. - **Networking**: Proactively build connections and offer help rather than just seeking opportunities. - **Documenting Accomplishments**: Keep a detailed record of your achievements to strengthen your resume. - **Personal Branding**: Invest in building a strong personal brand through thought leadership and public engagement. Choy also emphasizes understanding the perspective of hiring managers, who seek candidates aligned with their company’s values and skilled in remote work. Authentic storytelling, rather than just listing accomplishments, helps convey your true character and fit for the role. For a deeper dive, check out the full article on Forbes. https://lnkd.in/gvwJbCe7 #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #Networking #PersonalBranding #EmotionalIntelligence #Forbes

You're going to feel a lot of emotions during your career transition. Many won't be enjoyable ones at first either. Whether you're leaving for mental health reasons, salary concerns, or simply seeking a career where you feel appreciated and supported - you need to acknowledge and learn to manage these complex feelings too. You may encounter: 1️⃣ Shock, loss, and numbness: Feelings of grief and a sense of not belonging is normal during this mourning process. 2️⃣ Anger, self-doubt, frustration, and anxiety: The job search process can be challenging and constant rejections can lead to feelings of anger and being stuck. It's crucial to seek help and support during this time, as it can deepen self-worth issues and strain relationships. 3️⃣ Hope and optimism: It's essential to allow yourself to feel hope and maintain a positive outlook. Discussing your feelings with professionals or those who have been through a similar transition can provide valuable support and help you see the future with a renewed perspective. Remember, career transitioning is not easy but it can lead you to a better place. Embrace your emotions, seek support, and stay hopeful. You have the power to shape your future. If you're currently going through a career transition or considering one, reach out for help and guidance. Let's make 2024 a year of growth and fulfillment! #careertransition #emotions #transitioningteachers #emotionalwellbeing #newbeginnings #personalgrowth #linkedincommunity

How you know you’re bringing past workplace trauma into your current role: - Hypervigilance - Anxiety - Excessive rumination - The need to be “always on” - Job insecurity (hello mass layoffs!) - Struggle with assertiveness Workplace PTSD is common and can be complex to deal with. There was a season in my career where I felt like I couldn’t shake it. Frequently facing emotional triggers in a new job after leaving a toxic one. Replaying old scenarios in my head where I was mistreated, overworked, overlooked not recognized. It weighed a lot on me. And it affected how much I was able to enjoy the employee experience of my new company. It took a while for me to feel safe enough to be “me.” There are many of us who clocked into our jobs today carrying that baggage of PTSD. Here’s how you can begin to let go of that burden: ➕Positive self-talk & self-compassion ➕Plan for your triggers ➕Find closure and acceptance of the past ➕Establish and maintain a support system ➕Set boundaries ➕Prioritize yourself ——————- What’s one thing that has helped you to grow from past workplace trauma? Let’s chat! #employeeexperience #employeeengagement #workplacetrauma #worklifebalance #worklifeharmony #workplaceculture

I had the pleasure of meeting with the Hiring Our Heroes' Skills-Based Fellowship cohort a couple of Fridays ago, thanks to a kind invite from Eric Putt. The theme was "Success Through Adversity" and looking back, it couldn't have been more timely. It dawned on me. as I prepped my slides, that I was #laidoff a year ago this month. And this past week's news of more #layoffs was another gut-punch reminder. As much as people like to say that it's not personal and just business, well try explaining that to those of us who've endured it and try to manage unsettled and uneasy feelings of uncertainty, churn in the pits of our stomachs, and chaotic emotions (not just our own but our families' emotions too) weighing heavy about the future. It sucked - and it absolutely felt personal. My point being, there's a #wellness aspect to it that we don't often talk about. The same can be said about #militarytransition. Fortunately, I work with amazing people like Angenetta Lambert who genuinely check-in, are open to ask "How are you really doing, Gary?", and willing to stress the importance of emotional well-being. To me, it's another reminder that despite the uncertainty of where I was a year ago, I'm absolutely in the right place, employed by the right organization, and surrounded by the right people. Now, with all that said, I'm not anywhere near qualified to lead a discussion about the #mentalhealth aspects of layoffs or military transition, but I know it all starts with the willingness to have the conversation. So let's start it. From those that have gone through, currently going through, or supported others in similar situations, what are some of the things that helped you overcome adversity? #payitforward #lifehappens #veterancareerreadiness #veteransuccess #transitionbetter #achievemore #postmilitary

Has your company recently announced significant changes? If so, and you are a #leader, you will need to not only implement the changes, but you will also need to #lead your people through the emotional transition OF the #changes.   #Emotional #transitions begin with an ending.    I know it sounds strange to start with an end, but it’s important for your team to say goodbye to the way things used to be before they can wrap their heads around the future idea.   Saying goodbye means many people will experience a sense of loss. Loss brings up #emotions. People will be feeling many things:   😥 Sad 😨 Scared 😟 Worried 😤 Frustrated 🥹 Overwhelmed   Your first job in leading a successful change is to empathize and acknowledge with these emotions. If you don’t, you risk passive-aggressive behavior —and your changes, never taking hold.

It was a pleasure to join Christine Samuel and Laura Casale on the Women's Career Mastery podcast for a conversation about navigating grief in career transitions! Although grief in career transitions is an extremely common and normal part of the range of emotions we experience while navigating a career transition, we are often expected to feel only excitement or joy in a career transition. Creating space to grieve the parts of a previous role and professional relationships we enjoyed while also being excited about the new chapter ahead is critical to creating space to be fully human and to be as successful as possible in our new role. Tune in on your favorite podcast platform to gain valuable insights and inspiration for your own career journey and to learn how to best support someone who is navigating a career transition. Apple: https://shorturl.at/douLO Spotify: https://shorturl.at/moITU Google: https://rb.gy/db5nq Amazon: https://rb.gy/h2yxp #CareerTransition #WomenAtWork #CareerDevelopment #CareerAdvice #WomenLeaders [ID: Photos of Brandy, Christine, and Laura against a navy blue background with the Women's Career Mastery Podcast logo in neon pink and the episode title Navigating Grief in Career Transitions above them.]