Started a new job, they are constantly giving me feedback - is this normal?

[passitivity]

It's my first graduate job (my first ever office job, I'm working in PR).

They are constantly giving me feedback and it is really positive, to the point where I'm wondering if they are just trying to be nice to help me feel more settled and content. I'm quite quiet but I feel secure in what I'm doing and haven't struggled adjusting to the work aspect of the job, but have struggled with the social aspect. After anything I do my line manager or some other senior staff will email me to tell me what a great job I did. I had a meeting with the head of the department as just a welcome/introduction and he mentioned that my manager had emailed him to tell them how well I am doing.

I've never experienced this in a job before and I'm wondering if they are just being nice to help me feel more secure in my role or whether it's normal to give lots of overly positive feedback to new starters?

Also this isn't an attempt to stealth brag. I just feel like being in an office working environment can be quite a different/difficult social environment to navigate when you're not used to it. Just trying to learn

That does sound weird. At least it's positive!

I’m old and I get quite a lot of feedback still 6 months in! But I'm remote working, and its a statutory service. Not all mine is “well done” but it's all constructive. I suppose if you get no feedback it's harder to know if you are doing what is expected, or desired? Well done you, for doing well!

Meh everywhere has a different culture. They’ve probably been instructed from higher ups that they need to give lots of positive feedback, or you’re just really good at the job. Either way not a bad thing

I did a grad scheme and found the constant feedback exhausting (it was mostly negative, which for somone who had always done well at school, in part time jobs etc was totally demoralising. They invited me and other graduates to a meeting before I handed in my notice to try to work out why the resignation rate on the scheme was so high ). Good or bad, sometimes you just need to try doing things without it all being judged. I find it bizarre now I look back having been in the working world for 15 years, completely unnecessary.

Possibly others that started struggled and it's relief coming out as praise? I'd take it and run with it (getting tons of positive feedback in my new job too but I think it's relief as I made some dumb mistakes last week)

Here's my theories:

1. they think you're shy and they're trying to help you relax and settle in by giving lots of encouragement

2. you're particularly great at the job

3. they have a bit of an odd (but positive) culture there where they make sure they give lots of praise!

4. they are giving you a 'shit sandwich' but it's too subtle and you're not picking up on the 'shit' part?

I'm old and worked in toxic office cultures as a graduate. Just awful. I struggled watching the office at the time because it was so close to reality. It's a difficult one. You obviously feel uncomfortable and that's valid. Hopefully it is an attempt to make the culture an inclusive one but done cack handedly. Offices generally are bloody weird places to be.

It's really strange. I even had a shout out in the department meeting for adjusting to my new role so well.

I was also told by the head of department that they had kept my job open for quite a while and interviewed and turned down a lot of people until they found someone who would be a perfect fit.

I feel like an imposter who has somehow duped a company into hiring me.