7 Insider Tips to Dealing with Job Uncertainty</strong>

Will I get the job? How many others will apply for it? Will fewer teachers take career breaks this year due to Covid 19? What if they only want someone experienced? When will the job be advertised? Will interviews be online or face-to-face?

Summer 2020 – the year of isolation, uncertainty, surprises and pandemics. Especially so, now that the season where teachers are beginning to apply for jobs. It’s reasonable to be anxious about it… but it there are some ways you can help reduce anxiety.

So, what are some things we can do to regain control, step into our power and reduce the fear of uncertainty?

Focus on developing skills

Reflecting on the skills we have and would like to further develop can help us become more centered and in control. It’s a good idea to reflect on what kind of skills you’re using these days… Are you using lots of attention to detail, improving your communication skills, being more patient with your children, negotiation skills etc. How are they developing? Are you a better communicator today than you were 6 months ago? What is the next step?

Focus on ‘controlling the controllables’

What is it that you CAN control? Examples here might be: getting feedback from family and friends on your job application, applying for jobs on time, tailoring the job application and reaching out to any teacher friends who may have insights into vacancies in schools. Writing a list of what you can control can be extremely helpful.

Practice self-care

What kinds of activities make you feel good about yourself? What positive thought can you begin each morning with? Who makes you feel happy, positive and confident in yourself? Including daily and weekly self-care rituals will help keep the spirits up. Just remember… to continue doing them when you don’t feel in the mood. 

Ask for help

I remember my time as a job seeker, as a very lonely time. Life continued on for all my friends and family, while I spent days, weeks and months looking for jobs. I felt that they didn’t understand what I was going through. (Though the truth is… that I probably never allowed myself to be vulnerable enough to explain my fears, jealousy, and general exhaustion with the process.) Speaking to them openly would have been a good idea or to a professional at some stage during those 3-month stints in retrospect… would probably have helped.

Hobbies

Keep up your hobbies. Fresh air is good for the head. Baking… well… it’s good for the hunger… you get my drift. Don’t neglect what you enjoy. You can find volunteering opportunities at https://www.volunteer.ie/ which you may enjoy and they look great on your SAF and CV.

Identify a few actionable steps

In coaching, we talk a lot about actionable steps. These are steps that are feasible to do, they are measurable and are time-bound. By identifying some small tasks that you can complete, you can reduce uncertainty. What would they look like for you?

Breathe

Realigning the body and mind, and incorporating small moments of mindfulness will reduce the impact of uncertainty. Right now… in this moment… everything is ok. In fact, it may be good, even great. By practicing focusing on the here and now, we can reduce uncertainty. 

Working with a coach can help to centre yourself and take small actions that are important to you on your path. Email me at hello@orladempseycoaching.ie if you’d like to find out more about how you could work with me.