Ever wondered why folks lose interest quickly after landing their dream job? It’s a common experience, and there are many reasons behind it. Hiring managers have often complained about expanding their teams with individuals who later drift away. The need of the hour is understanding these reasons, which can help us find ways to stay motivated and fulfilled in our careers.
It’s quite surprising for individuals to chase a dream job, only to find the excitement fizzling out once they’ve achieved it. But you’re not alone! The psychology of landing a job and the subsequent loss of interest is associated with how our brains process goals, rewards, and novelty. While experts have repeatedly dived deeper into this curious human behavior, common people also have plenty to say about why this happens on various discussion platforms like Quora, and others.
This thrill of the chase, while you’re actively looking out for roles, keeps you energized and focused.
The psychology of getting the job involves a mix of strategic planning, proactive networking, and tailored preparation, rather than just submitting online or offline applications. For job seekers, it is no less than a full-time job, focusing on building quality connections and showcasing their value.
These things offer individuals the utmost pleasure, rewards, satisfaction, and inner peace. Candidates often adopt a "performance"-based mindset during interviews, focusing on being likeable and competent. This high-energy state is mentally taxing but provides a temporary sense of purpose.
Soon after you begin working, the dopamine release stops in your brain. Performing the same activity daily will feel like a stressful task now. Also known as the “happy hormones”, which keep pushing us to engage in activities, are affected when we follow a sedentary lifestyle. That’s why sometimes people even feel disappointed while doing something they love.
Humans quickly begin asking questions such as "Is this it?" and “My brain has nothing left to strive for?” This is known as the “arrival fallacy”, a term coined by Harvard-trained psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar. This is typically the mistaken belief that reaching a goal will bring lasting happiness. But when you finally "arrive" at the job, you may feel a failure in reasoning, “fallacy”, regardless of the positive changes.
Negative emotions, a stressful lifestyle, or not receiving what you expect in return can lead to a loss of interest in the field that you once aspired to. But drifting away from the dream position is not often easy.
This is when a better understanding of the reasons behind the post-hire slump is essential. It is said to have fun; instead of doing the same things every day, you need to fill your time with things you love. The outcome will then come in your favor.
To combat the post-hire/victory slump, psychologists suggest:
It’s quite surprising for individuals to chase a dream job, only to find the excitement fizzling out once they’ve achieved it. But you’re not alone! The psychology of landing a job and the subsequent loss of interest is associated with how our brains process goals, rewards, and novelty. While experts have repeatedly dived deeper into this curious human behavior, common people also have plenty to say about why this happens on various discussion platforms like Quora, and others.
What is dopamine chase?
Once you kick-start the job search, your brain tends to enter a "self-regulatory process" in which it stays in a high-stakes, proactive state. The search is driven by intense anticipation, which in turn releases dopamine in anticipation of the reward. In this case, it’s the job offer.This thrill of the chase, while you’re actively looking out for roles, keeps you energized and focused.
The psychology of getting the job involves a mix of strategic planning, proactive networking, and tailored preparation, rather than just submitting online or offline applications. For job seekers, it is no less than a full-time job, focusing on building quality connections and showcasing their value.
These things offer individuals the utmost pleasure, rewards, satisfaction, and inner peace. Candidates often adopt a "performance"-based mindset during interviews, focusing on being likeable and competent. This high-energy state is mentally taxing but provides a temporary sense of purpose.
What changes when you land your dream job?
The more effort and "hustle" you put into getting a role, the more value you subconsciously assign to it. This can lead to inflated expectations about how happy the job will actually make you. Failing which, it directly affects your body's impression management.Soon after you begin working, the dopamine release stops in your brain. Performing the same activity daily will feel like a stressful task now. Also known as the “happy hormones”, which keep pushing us to engage in activities, are affected when we follow a sedentary lifestyle. That’s why sometimes people even feel disappointed while doing something they love.
Image credit: Gemini | A mid-level professional sitting at a desk, disinterested, during mid-morning hours.
What’s the “post-victory slump”?
The decline in interest is a well-documented psychological phenomenon also called the "post-victory slump." People often enjoy the adrenaline and anticipation of pursuing a goal more than the actual possession of it. As the thrill of the chase fades into routine, the new salary and prestigious title soon become the "new normal," leading to an immediate sense of emptiness.Humans quickly begin asking questions such as "Is this it?" and “My brain has nothing left to strive for?” This is known as the “arrival fallacy”, a term coined by Harvard-trained psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar. This is typically the mistaken belief that reaching a goal will bring lasting happiness. But when you finally "arrive" at the job, you may feel a failure in reasoning, “fallacy”, regardless of the positive changes.
Why do they then keep doing the same even after facing endless disappointments?
This is mainly because they are waiting for that one reward that never lets them give up.Negative emotions, a stressful lifestyle, or not receiving what you expect in return can lead to a loss of interest in the field that you once aspired to. But drifting away from the dream position is not often easy.
This is when a better understanding of the reasons behind the post-hire slump is essential. It is said to have fun; instead of doing the same things every day, you need to fill your time with things you love. The outcome will then come in your favor.
To combat the post-hire/victory slump, psychologists suggest:
- Shifting focus from arrival to alignment, which will help in maintaining long-term interest in your job.
- You must actively reshape your tasks to better match your strengths and interests.
- You should focus on daily progress and process-oriented goals rather than just overcoming long-term milestones.
- The process, however, should be continued, keeping the brain engaged through new challenges.
- Set micro-goals daily, such as mastering a new skill, creating a project, or improving a process within the role to restore the feeling of growth.
- Reassessing Reality vs Fantasy helps clarify whether the dissatisfaction stems from the work itself or from a temporary slump in your enthusiasm.
- You can build good connections and relationships with colleagues to boost team engagement.
