by Tova Sherman
I recently read the following Reddit comment that perfectly sums up the dilemma felt by so many folks who are entering the workforce for the first time or re-entering after a significant gap in employment:
“I’m 22 years-old and want a job desperately, but interacting with people is so scary that I’ve been avoiding it for the past five years. I have depression as well, and the funny thing is that I know having something to do every day instead of just staring at the walls would make me feel much better, but I can’t bring myself to even apply to any jobs. If I apply to a job, then I have to answer a phone call, then I’d have to go to an interview, then I’d actually have to work there… Even just thinking about it makes me anxious. I don’t know what to do. If I get a job I’ll be less depressed but more anxious, and if I don’t get a job I’ll be more depressed but less anxious. I don’t know which is worse! What should I do?”
This commenter is not alone by any means. In fact, at reachAbility we work with clients facing those issues everyday – and one thing I can say (as I also live with an anxiety disorder) is there are far more folks feeling this way than you might think. After all, according to Stats Canada 500,000 people miss work every week in Canada strictly because of mental health issues. If folks already engaged in the workforce are staying home due to stress and anxiety, of course new entrants will be nervous about getting to work.
These folks need real solutions. At reachAbility, we recommend various approaches to manage the fear to a point they can function through it. I’d like to share 5 steps/actions we would recommend – and I hope you will share this article with anyone you know who might benefit:
- Volunteer. Local pet shelters are great for this as they accept everyone who is able. This will introduce you to the social environment of work, and if you volunteer at a pet shelter you will have animals to calm you during the stressful moments. Plus you can literally decide to go whenever you want. Some folks go daily, some once a week for an hour or two. At reachability we have a volunteer program set up to facilitate this option – whatever the client’s interest, we identify a volunteer opportunity in that field as a step to employment.
- Apply to quiet places. Consider lower sensory places like a fabric store or library. Something very mellow can help you manage anxiety. An example of a first job could be at Walmart but specifically in the produce section. The worst you’ll have to deal with is someone asking you where the oranges are while standing in front of them. But maybe don’t work somewhere like McDonald’s where the pace is faster and folks can get surprisingly irate over things like a broken ice cream machine or forgetting to remove their pickles.
- Practice interviews in a comfortable setting. When you practice interviewing it becomes less scary. I use a mirror (talk about scary) and look at my facial expressions and what they are saying. We recommend clients write down possible questions and their honest answers to them and than review them together. Practice common interview questions and try to be okay with being nervous, because you will be – no matter how much you practice.
- Consider whether full time work is the best starting point for someone who has never or rarely worked. If we can put aside financial constraints for a moment – it is ideal NOT to start full-time but to ease into the demands of a 35-hour week. We encourage clients to set hours low at first if at all possible.
- Be honest! If your anxiety is going to get in the way, practice discussing it appropriately with us. Good employers nowadays are more sensitive to these issues. You can say “I live with social anxiety and would prefer doing things mostly in the back or away from people until I am used to the work environment to prevent any problems from arising.” If an employer values you and is willing to invest time and money in bringing you on board, they’ll often be just as willing to make small adjustments to help keep you comfortable during the onboarding process.
Most important of all, remember that if you get overwhelmed, it’s okay. It happens. And that’s why you disclosed your anxiety in the first place, so that you could plan accordingly, minimize your stressors, and make sure your new employer is on board to support you as best they can.
If you are feeling discouraged, not quite prepared for the workforce, or you’re not finding the supportive employers you were hoping for, please reach out to our team at reachAbility. (902-429-5878 or info@reachability.org) We will work with you to achieve your goals and to connect you with our roster of trusted, reputable, and accommodating employers. Most importantly wherever you are, remember that you are not as alone as you think, and there are more options and resources available than you might expect.
