4 Things to Look for in a New Job Now That You're Sober

By

Sober Recovery Expert Author

Now that you have some sobriety under your belt, you may be considering getting a new job. After all, recovery involves gaining back full responsibility for your life, and it's important to be self-sufficient and productive.

There are various factors you should take into consideration during your job search. Coming out of recovery is an intense experience and the last thing you want is to find yourself in an uncomfortable situation that may make you feel desperate for an escape.

Finding a job is a key component of recovery. Consider these tips to find one that will provide both support and satisfaction to your newfound life.

Here are 4 things to bear in mind as you plan out your next career move.

1. Find an environment you actually like.

This may seem obvious, but it’s an important reminder. At some point in life, many of us have had jobs we didn’t particularly love and perhaps one or two we even absolutely hated. There are times when you’ve got to take what you can, but when you’re new in recovery, it is imperative that you do your best to choose a role you wouldn’t mind waking up in the morning for. If you dislike your job, you may end up quitting or being very miserable, both of which can become triggers to start drinking again.

2. Keep the stress low.

Choose a job that is not going to stress you out. Being in a high-stress level role can make you more apt to dislike your job and cause you to get all riled up. High stress can also lead you right back down the road to drinking as a coping mechanism. As you go about your search, make it a priority to find a position that can help you continue feeling relaxed and safe.

3. Make sure the commute is reasonable.

Aim to find a workplace within a 30-minute commute from where you live. This will keep you sane while driving in rush hour traffic. People who spend more than 45 minutes in traffic to and from work tend to experience more stress than those whose commute lasts less than half an hour.

If this is not possible for you, be mindful of relaxation techniques you can employ to de-stress while in traffic. You can listen to your favorite playlist or motivational audios. For some, this is a good time to practice deep breathing exercises or do shoulder exercises to relax the muscles. Whatever it may be, choose an activity that helps you make the best of your commute each way.

4. Stay away from drama.

Some job sites are packed with employees that create and invite drama. Perhaps they are young and immature, or they can be old and cynical. Either way, being surrounded by such an atmosphere will not do you any good.

While it could be hard to predict what kind of vibe other employees set off in the workplace before you get hired, it’s much easier to establish while you’re still new that you do not tolerate gossip or negativity. Should you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, you may discuss the matter with your supervisor so he or she can address the problem or ask to be moved to a different area if possible. Sometimes, you’ve got to be proactive to keep other people’s drama out of your life.

Do you have other tips for those in a job hunt while in early recovery? Feel free to share on the comments below!

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