If you’re in an active job search, and haven’t landed an interview lately, you’re likely experiencing a certain amount of stress… and that’s probably affecting your quality of life.
Imagine your life with the perfect amount of stress. Really? That’ll sure make you think!
What is the perfect amount of stress?
According to medlineplus.gov, “Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand. Now, not all stress is bad. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline.”
Don’t let your stress spiral out of control!
When stress spikes and spirals out of control, you may begin to experience emotional signs such as:
- Depression or anxiety.
- Anger, irritability, or restlessness.
- Feeling overwhelmed, unmotivated, or unfocused.
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
- Racing thoughts or constant worry.
- Problems with your memory or concentration.
- Making bad decisions.
Stress can even cause physical symptoms such as:
- Low energy.
- Headaches.
- Upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea.
- Aches, pains, and tense muscles.
- Chest pain and rapid heartbeat.
- Insomnia.
- Frequent colds and infections.
- Loss of sexual desire and/or ability.
Whether you are affected physically or emotionally, you know something has to change.
Would landing an interview alleviate stress?
While no job will ever be completely stress free, what would it feel like to land an interview that could lead to a job with significantly less stress?
Could that change stress from a negative to a positive for you?
It did for me!
Several years ago, I was overwhelmed in a temporary position for State government where it felt like my supervisor was dragging their feet to change my status to permanent. I’m not entirely sure whether that was in truth reality, but it felt so to me at the time.
I admit, I was a little frustrated! Hadn’t I been doing a good job? Didn’t they appreciate my efforts? Didn’t they like me? Wasn’t I saving everyone in my department a lot of time and making their jobs easier on a daily basis? So many questions, but all were unanswered…or so I thought.
A permanent position opened up in another department, so I reluctantly applied and was notified I was referred for an interview. Opportunity knocked, and I answered by scheduling an interview for the following week.
I really didn’t want to change departments, but I was tired of feeling uneasy. I craved stability and I felt compelled to be in a permanent position rather than a temporary position.
Before that interview ever happened, my supervisor and my program manager called me into their office and asked if they could visit with me. I agreed and met with the two gentlemen.
During this meeting, I was told what an asset I had been in my temporary position and how much I was appreciated by them, AND the 40+ staff in my department. They gave me specific examples of how I made a difference internally for our staff and externally for law enforcement, the court system, and our clients.
I immediately felt validated and relieved.
As the meeting progressed, I was not only offered a permanent position in my current department, but I was also offered a sizeable raise that was even above the starting pay grade of the position I was scheduled to interview for the following week…plus a small bonus as additional incentive to stay.
Wow, I was thrilled!
The stress I had been experiencing was gone…all because I applied for a different job and landed an interview!
Sometimes the idea of losing a valuable employee can cause a chain of events that can work in your favor. Not always is this the case, but sometimes the effect is your ability to leverage your on-the-job training, your value, and your expertise.
Could landing an interview for a position mean less stress for you? Maybe so.
And if you’ve already landed the interview, we can help you nail it!
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- Interviews: Can One Job Interview Relieve Your Feeling of Stress? - January 4, 2021
