When it comes to changing jobs, there’s no shortage of advice and information that you can find online. In fact, if you’re a habitual doom-scroller on TikTok, you might’ve seen business experts on a podcast sharing the benefits of changing jobs to get the most mileage out of your career.
On top of that, data from LinkedIn showed that 86% of workers are considering a job change in 2024, which is 15% more than 2023. Although that advice might make sense in very specific circumstances, there’s also a ton of other factors that need to be considered when it comes to job hopping, especially now that the market has become more challenging in the past few years.
The real struggle
While there are many different perks that come with changing jobs, such as feeling a sense of relief, there will inevitably be some amount of stress that comes from the uncertainty that lies ahead.
On top of that, things like the loss of a stable income and identity that some get from their jobs can definitely invoke some feelings of anxiousness, insecurity, and mental discomfort. This is why it's crucial to build some healthy habits and foster traits that will help ensure your resilience against the struggles that come with changing jobs.
Plan ahead
Quitting your job is not something you should take lightly. Despite many instances of Gen Zs choosing to resign without having another job lined up, doing so can result in heightened stress levels, particularly when the job market is currently facing a rough patch and you don’t have a solid contingency plan in place.
It’s therefore important to think ahead and try to cover as many scenarios as possible before turning in your notice, such as creating a financial roadmap and alternative options if things don’t go your way during your job hunt.
This involves taking stock of your own lifestyle habits. For example, if you’re a frequent spender, you might want to track your expenses to see which areas you can cut down on in order to start building your savings. The rule of thumb is to ensure that your emergency fund can cover your bare necessities for at least 6 months, but it doesn’t hurt to have more in the bank just in case.
You will also need to do research on the job market to come up with fallback options if you’re unable to secure your desired job, like taking on part-time employment or contract jobs, which are becoming more popular due to their variety and flexibility.
Create a routine
Speaking of doing your research, creating a daily routine can be very helpful during your job search. Much like hunting for an easter egg, small actions on a regular basis can not only increase your chances of landing an opportunity, but also help to put you in the right mental state, which is crucial for long term job hunts.
Let me explain. Looking for a new job can take several months, and we’ve all heard about the potential of burnout that can occur, which is why setting a routine is important. This will ensure that you structure your time efficiently, eliminate distractions during a set period of time, and allow you to minimise procrastination to actually do something positive, like sending out your resume or searching different job portals.
The best part is by systematically breaking down your efforts, you won’t find the task of job search quite as daunting without doing so, which helps reinforce your positive attitude towards the task and encourage you to push on in spite of the challenges you might face.
Reframe your expectations
Aside from planning, being able to reframe your expectations is something that goes a long way when it comes to managing stress. Everyone has some kind of set expectations of themselves, or that have been placed on them, and this expectation can induce stress on a person when it's not met.
So for instance, you may feel confident about securing a new job easily due to your high qualifications and strong portfolio. However, the reality of job hunting can be vastly different from your expectations, especially in Singapore where everyone is competing to gain an edge over others in such a challenging job market. As such, you’ll likely have to contend with plenty of setbacks and disappointments along the way.

However, instead of placing doubt on your capabilities or blaming yourself for your "failure", try focusing on a more positive outlook. By emphasising a different perspective on things, like the fact that you’re brave enough to take the leap and pursue your passions, or to seek something better for your future, you’ll be able to boost your morale and self-confidence.
This also helps you to manage stress and anxiety by mitigating your disappointment, and builds your resilience towards things like rejections, and allows you to progress forward confidently.
Rely on strong relationships
Searching for a job will undoubtedly be a difficult endeavour. Even with so many coping strategies, there will always be some level of stress involved during the process. This is why it's crucial to have a strong support system that you can fall back on when times get tough.
When it comes to confidants, friends and family often come to mind. They offer some much needed emotional support and a listening ear as well, which can help minimise stress and restore self-esteem.
Your external connections like colleagues or professional connections can also gain you access to resources like industry insights, feedback on your job search materials, tips on how to score an interview, as well as lesser-known opportunities that you can take advantage of in the future.
Navigating Stress and Uncertainty Through a Job Transition
It's no secret that job change is a stressful and difficult thing to go through, particularly when times are hard and companies are becoming more selective of applicants. This, however, doesn’t mean that you have to tough it out alone. Having the right stress management tips and a strong support system is vital to ensuring that your mental health doesn’t take a nosedive, and can also help you through other stress periods in your life as well.
Be it relying on your connections, reframing your mindset or planning ahead, there are a multitude of options for you to choose from. If these particular techniques don’t work for you, don’t be afraid to try out other suggestions and figure out which ones work for you. It's also important to note that these stress management tips and techniques can extend past job search situations, and help you to mitigate the potential negative effects of high stress levels at any point of life, making them both invaluable and indispensable.