Job Seeking During A Stressful Time

[Frogs88]

So I've been having problems with work. And I've just been signed off with my PTSD and general stress. I feel like I'm doing well now, I'm in the therapy and I've just found a new better place to live and i've realized I have to find a new job, that this was a fight I should have let go of a while ago. Fighting one thing but knowing when to not fight is another.

The problem is being so stressed out I am not looking forwards to the search. Interviews make me really anxious as does meeting new people and settling into new places although despite being anxious for a while I adapt fairly easily.

I guess my question is does anybody have experience at job seeking at a very stressful time. Did you disclose? How do you explain why you left the previous job (due to not making reasonable adjustments, triggered by manager). Any tips or stories from anybody?

 

[Anarchy being lazy]

See if you can meet up and talk to someone who already works there, find out what the place is like. I've found that showing up at morning or afternoon coffee time with a packet of chocolate biscuits is a good way to get through the door and get an informal chat (they're never actually informal) as part of you doing your homework.

If you do get really nervous with the person interviewing you - that is information for you too - if that is what they do to your sub conscious when they are on their best behaviour, how is your sub conscious going to react when they aren't on their best behaviour?

my personal dread is of me getting triggered and distraction seeking when I'm supposed to be getting a pain in the arse job finished and out of the door.

 

[illusionist]

Btw glad you have found a new place and all going well, good on you.
Maybe something to consider...try working for an agency for a wee while, they don't tend to ask why you left your last job as they are mainly interested in filling the spaces. It can allow you to be flexible until you get yourself fully settled and build your confidence. Also, when you do go for the permanent job you want, the stress of explaining your last permanent job is far behind you.
One of the problems I've got at an interview is the authoritative figure. I visualise them sitting in their pyjamas....cosy childlike ones.....Mickey mouse always works lol. Do the usual and read up on the company as much as you can, if possible do what Anarchy suggests. Good luck in your search!

 

[Frogs88]

Thanks @richter scale , I'm not sure thats for me though as I get server anxiety the first few weeks in a new joba nd with temping it usually only lasts a few weeks. I need something I can settle down into.

 

[illusionist]

Have you had previous jobs where you had no problems?....I'm thinking along the lines of cancelling out a negative with positive e.g.. if asked at an interview why you left you can explain it as having differences with your Manager but follow it up with saying that you never had problems in your previous jobs as you are a ( fill the gap) person. Don't pull the ex manager down as the person you are sitting in front of will be judging you on being able to fit in as well as having capabilities of doing the job. Be discreet and respectful regarding ex boss even though you don't feel it.

 

[Jon Decker]

Hey really glad to hear how you've been doing. Do you have any personal contacts you could start with who might be able to offer you a job? Might you be able to be open with them about your PTSD? And if not from your inner circle I've found going to the location of the job as much as possible beforehand to get used to the location has helped me. In terms of being open about your PTSD I think that would be an amazingly brave idea and maybe the company that shows understanding might be the place you want to be anyway? I have to work on being more open about telling people I have PTSD myself so hard for me to comment on that. Are you prescribed any type of sedative for a time like this? Like a beta blocker which might make the experience more comfortable for you? Thanks for posting!