Confidence to move on after 15 years

[Hecksonaplane]

I've worked my way up in the same organisation for just over 15 years, same dept.
Due to various factors in and out of work I think now is a good time to move on but I'm scared!

Confidence in myself has never been my strong point despite excellent feedback and I've been told to back myself more. I've worked on this and felt I was getting there despite niggling anxieties.

A recruiter has been in touch and after a discussion and some research into the company and role I'm very interested. I haven't applied yet but already the doubt is creeping in!

What if they're expecting one thing and I'm not it? What if I can't do it or not their way ? What if there isn't support ?

The company sound great with a culture that I could really buy into but I'd be moving from the public sector to the private and I always think they're better than me despite having worked with new people from private sectors and with private suppliers I know this is not always the case.

I just keep looking for reasons to stay, I'm working with new people so stay and learn from them, I'm working on new projects stay and get that under your belt first, possibility of training so get this first (5his never materialises).

How have you gotten over this and was the new world as bad as you expected? I seriously need a kick up the backside!

Hi op, I’m afraid I don’t have any advice as I’m in the same position as you. Fifteen years for me as well.
Hopefully someone will come along and tell us making the leap to something new was really positive!

It would be great to hear some positive stories, people from work that have moved on are always positive about it but I'd like to hear from an independent

What's prompted you to move on @CarolineForbes

What do you want from life?

If you're still in this same job at the end of your working life, will you be happy with that?

What would you like to get out of moving?

What is your greatest fear? Everybody has to learn how to do things their employer's way when they change jobs, that's not an insurmountable obstacle. And if the first place doesn't turn out to be the right fit you then you move on. Not a big deal - it's not like shopping for a forever home.

What are your goals? How could a different workplace help you meet them? What opportunities could it open up? What might you gain? What would you like to run towards instead of fun away from?

Put things back in perspective and give yourself a reality check. Change always feels scary and uncomfortable, even welcomed change. It is easy to invent "reasons" to avoid the change, but then they will become self-fulfilling.

For instance, "I'm not good enough to work there" so you don't even apply and stay where you are, which you then start holding up as evidence that you're not good enough - you give an opinion with a flimsy evidence base "fact" status.

Attending interviews - even if you're not offered the job or decline it - is a good way to boost your confidence. You'll realise that you can survive the scary new application and the scary new interview and therefore you can survive the scary new job too. You'll develop new skills.

Those anxious feelings about the possibility of change are your body preparing you for the challenge. Same as excitement, just you're giving them a different marketing spin to excitement.

Great post @legoriakelne thank you.
These are things I've considered, I definitely don't want all my career in one place although I have held a number of roles there but this is a new realisation.

What would you like to get out of moving?
I'd like to learn new ways of working, be involved in different services and get on for want of a better word. Funnily enough these are the things that scare me but this company (the one that s prompted this need for change) appears to have a good culture, the type of person they're looking for, the changes they want to make, the development and consideration of their staff really appeals and if I don't apply or get this role I have an idea of what I am looking for - as I'm.not unhappy where I am I can wait for the right opportunity but like you say the interview process will help my confidence.

Those anxious feelings about the possibility of change are your body preparing you for the challenge. Same as excitement, just you're giving them a different marketing spin to excitement

This makes so much sense! I am excited about the possibility of change, I agree with just making the break then doing it again if need be won't be as difficult.

I left public sector after 17 years. I wasn't progressing, I felt I was actually going backwards in my career even though I still got the annual pay rise. Then I experienced bullying and discrimination resulting in a payout. I feared I wouldn't find anything else but within a month had 4 job offers. 9 months later, I have another job offer that is permanent WFH so I don't need to worry about office politics etc. So it worked out for me. I did take every opportunity though to learn new skills, volunteer etc in my spare time to diversify what I could do.

Eeek OP and @legoriakelne, you have motivated me to change jobs after 15 years. Half excited, half terrified...I'll be back in a few months, either still thankful or...

Thanks for the post @legoriakelne, very helpful

Glad it worked out for you @listentomydeclaration, I'm not sure there's anywhere for me to go where I am but I enjoy what I do but I do want to get better at it and take on bigger challenges.
I'm not expecting to get that chance where I am.
I am excited about what's out there but ill be choosey about where I go.

I've just left after decades. Now working for agencies / locum. So far so good...

I've just jumped ship after 16 years, haven't started the new role yet. I was seriously undervalued and have got a 30k uplift so I'll suck it up! Following for advice though.

Good to hear the positives, going locum/agencies is even braver!
A £30k uplift is definitely bearable 😁

Just started a new job after 8 years and feel ten years younger