Decision to apply for job seems like the biggest decision ever

[GeorgieTK]

I have to decide whether to apply for a job by tomorrow and I'm being very indecisive about whether to or not. I'm making it seem like the biggest decision in my life and keep changing my mind but I don't know why I'm acting like the decision I make is going to be the wrong one. People keep saying to me I'll make the right decision for me as I'm very sensible but it doesn't feel like it- I keep thinking the worst about both my current job and the new one. I'm on some medication which I'm coming off now as it's really affecting my mood and making me anxious which is so unlike me and I'm wondering if it's that that is affecting me! I would love some opinions about making a decision to apply when I'm feeling like this. Does the fact I can't decide mean this new job isn't for me? I've only been in my current job 6 months and seem to have majorly lost confidence in myself but I don't know if it's related to the medication or the job. There are some changes happening to the organisation I'm at now and that's making me nervous when I would normally not let it worry me. Also worried I'm jumping to something else as a reaction to that. Really need some opinions!!

You can literally pull out of the job process at any time up to and after getting offered the job. What exactly is the downside of deciding to make an application? It's zero stakes.

Agree with the pp - applying won't hurt

Ask them not to speak to your references before an offer though. I've had a problem where prospective new employers have asked my referees (people I already worked for) for a reference before interview which was awkward as obviously they let my boss know I was looking!

I think you need to go to interview and have a good look round before you know if a new role is right for you. You can't guess yet if the new one will be better or worse for you

Ps: I've also applied for jobs and then decided I didn't actually want to go to interview after being asked. It was completely fine. Sometimes an initial chat on the phone helps you make a decision against continuing, so maybe try that?

Thanks for responses. I've had an initial chat and new job sounds challenging and for quite a bit less money. The money isn't putting me off but the challenge is- like I say my confidence seems at an all time low and I'm not sure if I'd be jumping into something even harder but for less money. My initial thoughts when I saw the job was that as it was less money it would be easier but not sure that'll be the case. It would also be going from a job where I'm often twiddling my thumbs at the moment to really busy

Stick the application in. Go to the interview for practise, for when you get a better prospect. Use the interview to interview your potential future manager. Then decide if you think the role is so amazing you'll take a pay cut.

Being bored at work is stressful, so I can understand wanting something new. However, I once changed role and took a £10k paycut, and have always been resentful about it. I don't recommend it!

Yes being bored is stressful - it's the nature of my work that it's in peaks and troughs but soooo quiet at the moment. The thought of doing an interview at the moment really fills me with dread- nothing seems to stick in my brain!