How to deal with Job and work anxiety.

[Karma1387]

I am hoping to get a bit of help and advice. I have suffered with bad anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember.

I am currently job hunting with not a lot of success. However today I had a surprise telephone interview (they apparently emailed but I hadn't received it) I don't think it went well as I obviously wasn't prepared for it.

But after the call I started to think about what happens if I get the job. My anxiety went through the roof and I have been in a bit of a panic since about any job I get.

I have had a career in retail management but the thought of changing careers, dealing with high volume calls, not knowing what I am doing, getting something wrong it has made me feel so scared to actually be offered and accept a job if I get one.

Does anyone have any advice on how to get over this anxiety and feeling of dread at doing things wrong? I need a career to better the life of my kids but the thought of actually being offered one has made me feel mentally awful.

Are you on medication for anxiety in general? This could be a good place to start.

Watched something today which said when faced with anxiety you need to find your anger and courage (perform your battle cry, literally go look in the mirror and Braveheart a battle cry.. Obviously this works better if WFH in an empty room before a meeting you are anxious about, rather than a more crowded environment 😂). Apparently the nervous system more easily transitions from anxiety to anger and from there to calm.

I am anti-medication for myself and the absolute best ways for me to deal with it are to get plenty of exercise, lots of Yoga, try to eat & sleep well.

Face your fear as often as possible because then you get used to it and it ceases to be the thing that worries you. Face your fear - what is the worst that could happen? You get the job, get a pay check, you or the company decide it is not for you... That is literally the worse thing that could happen... Are you worse off than before? - No! . What is actually the most likely scenario if you get the job? ... You quite like it, they quite like you, regular pay check and takes your mind off things. Win, win, win.

Hope you get the job - they obviously liked your CV/application enough to go out of their way to follow it up with you. That is fantastic! Should you not get this one, keep chucking in the applications and you will be ready for the next interview. Good luck!