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Mental health

My perfect job is being advertised but my anxiety issues are holding me back. Should I go for it?

8 replies

BluelightsAndSirens · 14/11/2012 22:07

I work 5 days a week as a secretary, spent 4 years at home raising my family and prior to that 10 years in another admin role.

I travel 40 minutes each way every dat and have been taking meds for anxiety for a month or two, I'm still quite shaky, no appetite, jumpy but holding it in and managing to work well every day.

A vacancy in our local high school has been advertised for an office admin role, term time only.

The hours mean I would find a minder to take and drop DC to school but no holiday clubs etc and time at home for me in the holidays

The thought of an interview makes me feel physically sick as does the rejection, I don't think I can put myself through it but now I would be very good at the job and as it is so local I wouldn't have to so that hellish drive everyday which would ease my anxiety by 50%

I have a made irrational fear of crashing whilst driving, it's totally stupid but very real to live with it iykwim.

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Soupla · 14/11/2012 22:15

Visualisation works for me. Try to anchor the feeling you would have physically if you got this job. Think of it all in the present tense ("I get home from work x-minutes sooner ..." and so on.) See yourself pulling into your parking spot at the school. Keep thinking about being IN the job, not the interview.

Go on: apply. It could begin the upward spiral. Here's a Brew before you start your visualisation. Close your eyes put your feet up!

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BluelightsAndSirens · 14/11/2012 22:22

Yes, visualisation is a brilliant idea. I use a technique that helps me see all around so I'm not so jumpy not working yet but it will do I'm sure Smile

If I managed to secure this job it would be so great not to do that drive in the dark and the fog with my brain working overtime wondering how I will cope when it rains or snows!

The advert said they send a medical questionnaire to occ health will anxiety issues cause a problem working in school admin do you think? It doesn't start till January.

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BluelightsAndSirens · 14/11/2012 22:39

Bump I can't decide by myself.

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MrsMuddyPuddles · 15/11/2012 11:35

Call the school (whomever is doing the hiring) and discuss the oppertunity with them and your skills, saying that you are trying to decide whether or not to apply.

If they sound positive at all, apply as soon as you can. This might help your anxiety unless you're like me and also HATE talking on the phone (and also might make you look quite keen)

What works for me is to imagine the worst case scenario for each option. For this, if you apply and don't get it, what happens? You stay where you are. Whereas if you do not apply, you're left wondering about the perfect job that got away... for me, I would feel worse for not applying than I would for trying and the job goes to someone else.

I will leave it to someone else to answer the question about occ health (but I shouldn't think it would scupper your chances, esp if you big-up how it's the DRIVE that is bothering you at your current position, not the admin work)

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sandripples · 15/11/2012 19:54

I hope you go for this job - sounds ideal for you.. Don't worry about Occ health - they can't turn you down for health reasons anyway, so all occ health can do is ask you whether you have any condition you might need any support with.
Think of the interview as a conversation with a structure and purpose. Prepare by writing down your 4 key areas of strength, then for each heading jot down 3 examples of when you shown how well you do those things. match these up with the person spec and that way you'll be prepared for the questions.
Take the note in with you and when they ask at the end if you'd like to add anything, you can scan it quickly and point out anything important that hasn't come up.
Think about all the positive feedback you've had from your current job too.

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BluelightsAndSirens · 15/11/2012 20:12

I just don't know!! There are some great pointers there sand thank you.

I spent some time on the school website today looking into its ethos and history, I also ended up standing next to the head this afternoon but was to scared to say anything to him Hmm DD attends the school opposite the senior school and the head stands outside school at home time.

I think I will regret it if I don't apply, I probably won't get it any way, 30 hour term time is going to be very popular isn't it?

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MrsMuddyPuddles · 19/11/2012 07:42

If you don't apply, you definately won't get it! Go for it!!! (if you haven't already)

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Bearandcub · 19/11/2012 07:45

YY apply!

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