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New kid on the block

More and more people are changing jobs and switching roles. Tess Drea gives us the tools to deal with the impact that such significant transitions can have on our lives and overall wellbeing.

Changing jobs is more common than ever, with younger people most likely to move on from their current employment. In Evelyn Partners’ Irish Law Firm Survey 2022, more than one in three top-20 firms and one in four Dublin-based firms experienced staff turnover levels in the range of 10-20%.

As a result, newly qualified solicitors starting with new firms, solicitors being promoted internally, or solicitors moving in-house are experiencing significant transition in their lives. We often underestimate the impact this can have on our overall wellbeing.

I spent over five years at a British broadcaster, where I was promoted several times from junior lawyer to deputy, heading the acquisitions team. I was lucky, because my career was my primary focus, so I could grow around the new challenges without anything else in my life noticeably suffering.

When I moved from London to Ireland in 2010, I didn’t worry that I would settle quickly, because I had visited often and the job was so exciting and a step-up, running the business-affairs function of a busy, expanding animation studio.

I gave little thought to how all the transitions stemming largely from the new role would become overwhelming at times. Now, with the benefit of perspective and in my work as an executive, creative and wellbeing coach – primarily in the legal profession and the arts sector – I am privileged to be able to help others navigate these pivotal moments in their careers and lives.

Savouring the moment

Firstly, consciously celebrate and savour this moment. No matter what the circumstances are leading up to a promotion, new job, or the challenges ahead, it is an opportunity for you to feel proud of your achievement.

It’s easy to forget to enjoy professional milestones because of competing external interests. But by bringing your awareness back to yourself (writing your thoughts and feelings down at the same time each day often helps) and your own unique career journey, you will feel positive and create a stronger foundation and growth mindset from which to move forward.

You should recognise that thoughts and feelings are not the same thing – and may seem conflicted or change a lot around this time, and that’s okay.

You can demonstrate confidence in your abilities as a lawyer, while also feeling nervous underneath about the new workload and settling into a new team.

None of us is just one thing all the time, and something that might appear to make you vulnerable could turn out to be a strength or area you can learn from in your new role. For example, if you have never managed anyone before, this will be a chance to embrace your own management style.

How to flourish

Accept the end of your previous position and the fact that there will be a transition period involving high and low points – but which won’t last forever. Here are some suggestions to help you flourish:

1) Make a great first impression – it sounds obvious, but do whatever you need to do to feel your best physically and mentally, because it will show in the energy you feel and display. This may include holidays with loved ones between roles, timing your new commute so you are ready for ‘day one’, and organising your diary to allow for plenty of exercise, sleep, and nutritious food as you settle into the new job.

2) Minimise uncertainty – reduce the chances of feeling any anxiety by controlling what you can. For example, if you know that there is one aspect of the new position that you are unfamiliar with, address it. Don’t bury it and hope no one notices, because it might eventually come to light – and not on your terms. You don’t want to be ruminating over the potential consequences. Work out what existing skills you have that most align with this new requirement. For instance, you may now be expected to present updates to a major external client, but you’ve only presented to a small peer group before. Afterwards, think about what went well and expand on it. If you still don’t like presenting, seek out, early on, someone in the company who does it well and identify training in that area.

3) Build meaningful relationships – your team and your wider network will be crucial to how well you settle, so, in those early days, do your best to get to know colleagues, and be aware of the different styles of working that you come across when managing both up and down. This will make for a much smoother transition. If you are working remotely, this might be more difficult, but try to meet socially in person if you can, or plan specific sessions virtually with a few key people who you want to connect with. Don’t be afraid to ask for help in navigating this.

4) Know your value – they already know why they chose or promoted you, but take time to think carefully now about your strengths, what you specifically bring to the company, and how you can best communicate and demonstrate that from the start, for example, with the quality of your work and your area of expertise. Brainstorm ways to make a quick but lasting positive impact. Review your overall career goals and what success truly looks like to you – don’t compare yourself with anybody else.

5) Listen – you will learn so much in the early days from really listening to what is going on around you. You aren’t expected to know everything, but be prepared to learn and grow in the new role. If there is no transition plan or handover in place in your new role, listen and systematically build your own by getting as much information as possible about what needs to be done, for whom, and by when. Categorise projects carefully according to priority. Develop your own key contacts list. Have resources to hand to help you.

6) Be aware of the consequences of your new position outside of work – let the people you are closest to know that there is going to be a transition period, so they can be prepared to offer support – but also make time to support them. I often see clients going through big stressful life events at the same time as new jobs because that is just how life sometimes works, with relocation, new relationships, having children, and bereavement. Factor all of this into the attention you give your overall wellbeing, and reframe your mindset so that the challenges become opportunities to grow and learn.

Finally, remember that no matter how many jobs you have had before, you are still going to have times where you feel like the new kid in school.

Prepare for that feeling as best you can and make it work for you by being curious. Nobody else will be paying attention to your nervousness due to their busy routines. But if you need extra professional help, seek it out!

Tess Drea is an executive, creative and wellbeing coach who helps clients address everyday wellbeing, nutrition, physical activity, stress management, life/career goals and mental health.

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