Embracing Fear: The Surprising Tool That Helped Me Find My Dream Job

Fear is like that annoying roommate we all had at some point: always hanging around and turning up at the worst moments. But have you ever thought that maybe fear isn’t the enemy? What if fear is actually that friend who pushes us to do better and shows us what truly matters?

I went through a rollercoaster of emotions when I decided to look for a new job. I wasn’t exactly miserable at my current employment, but I needed a new challenge, and I wanted to learn new skills. And so, I ventured into the wild jungle of the job market, and boy, was I in for a ride.

Fear #1: The List of Doom (and Hope)

I found some potential jobs, and the descriptions sounded like the love child of Da Vinci and Elon Musk. Needless to say, I didn’t meet all the requirements. Cue the first freak-out! What if I make a fool of myself in the interview, my current boss finds out, and I lose my job? To calm myself down, I made a list of the good and bad things about changing jobs. What were my incentives for a change? What am I looking for and how would I feel when I stay at my current job? Turns out, most of the “bad” things were in my head, and the good things far outweighed them. So, make a list, and let it be your guide through the dark forest of change.

Fear #2: Imposter Syndrome Strikes Back

While crafting my application, I felt like a fraud. I wasn’t lying, but I did take some creative liberties with my skills. Like, you know, watching YouTube videos on a topic counts as “basic knowledge,” right? But then it hit me: imposter syndrome. It’s that feeling of being a total fake despite evidence to the contrary. After gaining five years of experience in software quality assurance, I felt that I had developed a substantial amount of knowledge and expertise. However, the demands of the new job made me feel that I am not good enough. The key to defeating this sneaky villain is to embrace your strengths and not dwell on your weaknesses. It’s important to recognize your past accomplishments and consider any areas where you may have weaknesses as opportunities for growth and learning.

Fear #3: Waiting for the Call (or the Apocalypse)

So, I sent in my application, and then…nothing. No response! My anxiety skyrocketed, and I was convinced I had made a huge mistake. After receiving no response, the second and third weeks passed without any communication. This led to another anxiety attack, as it became clear that something had gone wrong. I believed that I should have applied earlier or taken a different approach, and I began to question where I had made an error. But then, surprise! The recruiter called, apologizing for finding my application in their spam folder.

It’s common to believe that we are responsible for every outcome, even when we are not directly at fault. Many individuals have the desire to control all aspects of their lives, and I too am guilty of this at times. I try to avoid making mistakes and therefore assume responsibility for everything that goes wrong. However, this is not always the case. In my situation, I had not made any mistakes, but it can be easy to forget that others may also make errors and that there are often factors outside of our control. Lesson learned: sometimes, things are beyond our control, and we need to accept that.

Fear #4: The Interview Inquisition

The first interview went well, and I was invited for a second one with my potential team lead and colleague. I stalked them online and was terrified by their impressive list of achievements. Would they grill me until I admitted to being a fraud? I prepared for the worst, but the reality was different. The interview was a pleasant conversation, and we even discussed some topics I wasn’t an expert on. Seneca once said, “We suffer more in our imagination than in reality,” and he couldn’t have been more right. I’m approaching this interview with the belief that they intend to humiliate me and lower my confidence. However, it’s clear that their objective is to hire a suitable candidate for the position, and therefore, they also want the interview to go well. Also remember: interviewers are human too, and they’re just as nervous as you are. They’re trying not to mess up and make fools of themselves. They’ve got their own anxieties and mental torment to deal with. Make sure you’re all set for your job interview but try not to get caught up in negative self-talk and overthinking.

In the end, I got the job, and I couldn’t be happier. My journey was a wild emotional rollercoaster, with fear riding shotgun. But instead of letting it hold me back, I embraced it and let it fuel my pursuit of change. So, don’t be afraid of fear. Let it be your annoying but supportive roommate who pushes you to be better, take risks, and chase your dreams.