If there’s one thing the last few years have taught us, it’s that life’s too short to be anything but happy. The same goes for your career—you might as well earn a living doing something you love. So it’s unsurprising that more and more Americans are opting to make a career change. However, making a career change on your own is one thing—doing it with a partner is another completely; it comes with its own new set of challenges.
Make no mistake: Switching jobs is no joke. Career changes have emotional and financial impacts on your life that can be felt in your relationship. Which, unsurprisingly, can cause tension between you and your partner.
That said, if you’re currently experiencing this or one of you is about to make the leap, you’ve come to the right place. Although every relationship is different, there are some key guidelines you can follow during this time. Keep scrolling to learn the 8 ways to help support your partner during a career change.
8 Ways To Support Your Partner During a Career Change:
1. Ask them what they need from you
Asking your partner what they need from you will help open up the dialogue about this time. This will help you both get clear on what support looks like and how you can be there for them. For some, this may be proofreading cover letters or resumes; for others, it may be lending a listening ear or being their biggest cheerleader.
If your partner’s thinking about making a career jump, it’s a good idea to try and have this conversation ahead of time. Doing this will help make the transition a little bit easier and give you both a better idea of what to possibly expect going forward; it’ll help you both get on the same page from the beginning.
On the other hand, if your partner’s career change was unexpected, be sure to bring have this convo during a time you’re both in a good head space. This will help ensure the convo goes smoothly, and you’ll both be more open to hearing each other out.
2. Make sure you’re both on the same page
It’s also important to make sure you’re both on the same page. If you’re not, navigating this time will be even more difficult and stressful. So, take the time to sit down and get clear on what both your life and financial goals are. Doing this will also make it easier to support them.
3. Create a safe space to talk
Career changes are filled with everything from worrying about finances to moments of self-doubt, so creating a safe space to talk is an absolute must. This can be anywhere in your shared home, after a certain time of day, during a certain day of the week, and so on. Whatever you decide, having a place you both feel emotionally safe enough to get all of your feelings and emotions out is crucial to navigating and supporting your partner during a career change.
4. Communicate your feelings, too
It may seem easier to leave things unsaid or shove down your emotions because you want to be supportive, but doing so will only backfire. Instead, make sure you’re being honest with your S.O about your feelings. This is also where having a safe space to talk comes in handy.
That said, just keep in mind that when it comes to expressing any “negative” emotions (think: fear, doubt, concerns, etc), remember that it’s not what you say but how you say it. Always be kind and respectful any time you’re expressing your emotions, whatever they may be.
5. Discuss how this will impact your finances
Finances are a notoriously emotionally charged topic—but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from discussing them. After all, you need money to live, so if there’s a financial shift anywhere, it will impact your overall lifestyle.
Take the time to talk to one another about how this job switch will impact your finances going forward. Are there any areas you’ll have to cut back in or ways you might need to chip in for the time being? How will this change affect your current lifestyle? How can you ensure you’re not blowing through savings? It’s crucial that you take the time to answer these kinds of questions and make any adjustments needed before moving forward.
6. Be their biggest cheerleader
Sadly, we live in a world filled with negativity and self-doubt, and that’s only going to be compounded for anyone going through a career change. Career changes can often wear on someone’s self-esteem; they may make them feel like they have no sense of purpose or leave them questioning whether or not they have what it takes to succeed. This is why being their biggest cheerleader is key. Encourage them to keep going, and remind them that you believe in them.
Related: The Importance of Having Your Partner’s Back
7. Make time for the relationship
During times of stress, it’s easy to put your relationship on the back burner, but now is when you should be leaning on each other. Make time for the relationship, and prioritize spending one-on-one time together. Set aside time for yourselves to not think about work or any work-related things. Doing this will help you both decompress, give you the chance to reconnect again, and help strengthen the relationship.
8. Don’t make their stress your stress
It’s easy to unknowingly take on the problems and feelings of others, but try to be mindful of doing this with your S.O. Taking on someone else’s stress will only add unnecessary stress to your life. Instead, try your best to separate yourself. Being able to do this will only make you more supportive and present.
At the end of the day, support will look different in every relationship. The best thing you can do is be there for them as best you can. Navigating a partner’s career change may not be easy, but life rarely is. Get through this time together, and you’ll come out stronger on the other side.
Great tips!
Author
Thank you so much!