Managing the Emotions of Career Change

The exciting new job offer is in your hand, the opportunity is perfect, and then suddenly – it hits you. A wave of anxiety that makes your stomach churn and your mind race. What initially felt like a clear-cut decision now feels overwhelming as emotions flood in.

Learning how to pump the brakes on your racing thoughts and work through these feelings can help you transition to your new and exciting job with assurance and confidence.

Why This Career Change Feels Different

When we partner with accounting and finance talent going through career transitions, they often tell us, “I know this is the right move, but…” That little word ‘but’ carries so much weight.

Leaving a job means changing where you work, but it also means leaving the place where you’ve grown, celebrated wins, and built relationships that matter.

If you’ve been lucky enough to work for a leader who’s made a big difference in your life, then saying goodbye sometimes feels like you’re letting them down. But here’s the thing – maybe it’s your time for something more. They can’t necessarily offer you that, but they know you’re ready. Great leaders always want the best for their people, which sometimes means letting them go so they can continue to soar.

So, no wonder this transition feels big. It should – it matters.

Making Sense of Your Emotions

You wouldn’t be reading this blog if you didn’t care about your work and team. That’s why leaving feels so complicated. The emotions come in waves, and that’s perfectly normal.

We’ve noticed something interesting: the highest performers we partner with often feel these waves most deeply. They’re usually the ones who’ve poured the most of themselves into their work, their team, and their relationships.

Common worries we hear:

“What if my work friends feel like I’m abandoning them?”
“I don’t want to burden my team with extra work”
“Will I stay connected with mentors and colleagues I value?”
“Will this role be everything I’m hoping for?”
“How long will it take to prove myself again?”
“What if the company culture isn’t what I expected?”
“Am I making the right choice?”

Your mind is likely racing in a million directions – from big career questions to everyday details like your new commute. And that’s exactly where your head should be! It shows how much you care about doing this transition right.

All those thoughts swirling around are actually helping you prepare, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now. The real power move is channeling all that mental energy into your game plan for what’s next.

5 Steps to Move Forward

Now for the good part: turning those feelings into action. These 5 steps have helped the thousands of people we’ve placed, and they’ll help you navigate this change, too.

1. Own Your Emotions

Remember those emotional waves we talked about? Here’s how to embrace them. Having mixed feelings means you’ve invested in your work, and that’s something to be proud of.

Use the ‘both/and’ approach – let yourself be excited about your new job AND bittersweet about leaving your current team
Create a gratitude list about your current role to honor what you’ve gained
Share your transition journey with a trusted mentor and friend

2. Keep Perspective

Remember those emotional waves we talked about? Here’s how to embrace them. Having mixed feelings means you’ve invested in your work, and that’s something to be proud of.

Write down your “why” statement to review when those doubts return
Map out your career vision – where this move takes you in the long-term
List 3 ways your workplace succeeded before you arrived – they’ll adapt again

3. Protect Your Wellbeing

Big transitions can easily take over your thoughts. That’s why taking care of yourself isn’t optional—it’s your foundation for success.

Maintain your established routines – workouts, meals, and daily rituals
Plan coffee dates and calls with friends and family – your support system matters
Keep up with activities and hobbies you love – they’re your stress relief now more than ever

4. Make a Smooth Transition

You’ve built something valuable here. Let’s make sure your good work continues even after you move on to your next adventure.

Document key processes to help your successor succeed
Schedule regular check-ins with your manager to track progress
Create simple “how-to” guides for the processes only you know by heart

5. Prepare for Your Next Chapter

This is where excitement meets preparation. Setting yourself up for success means thinking through both the big moments and small details of your fresh start.

Plan your first-day logistics – commute, dress code, and lunch spots
Start a ‘learning dashboard’ to track new terms and processes
Take time to celebrate – you’ve earned this next chapter!

Final Thoughts

Some of the most rewarding career moves start with the most butterflies in your stomach. Remember to take a deep breath and move forward one step at a time.

Don’t let your emotions be the barrier that keeps you from pursuing meaningful career growth.