I am rubbish at my job

[muchtooshy]

and so scared about it. My probation period has been extended and I am really stressing.

I just don't seem to be good enough at anything. I really am trying and want to do well but it seems like it isn't enough and I keep getting picked up on things.

I am so scared as I can't afford not to have a job. I don't know what is holding me back from doing well but I need to fix it.

I don't know how to make changes that those above me can see. I feel like I am wrong all the time.

Great advice on this thread.

Main point I've taken is to make sure I remember to call in when DD is sick to make our schools receptionist job easier

Do you have set days for doing certain tasks?

In regards to your review, is there any part of your job you think you could change to make things easier?

Is superwoman actually pulling her weight? Or is she just a mythical superwoman who believes in her own reputation?

If she has been in that role for ages it's quite likely that she has slowed up as well as got expert in what she does do.

But the natural trajectory when everyone thinks you are the bees knees is to rest on your laurels a bit.

So are you in fact overworked and doing some stuff that superwoman could take on?

bunch! it wouldn't appear that she is, an admin assistant doing front office shouldn't be doing orders, First aid or uniform as their job is first and foremost receptionist I can just about see registers as she's probably the person who takes the calls in but most high schools use sims in the classroom and the teachers mark kids in or out, office just needs to print out list of absentees and phone as said up thread probably always sa me ones so list of regular offenders and using parent mail will speed this up. And as for taking delivery and giving them out, yep to signing for them but then just email staff saying order here come and collect don't put it away for them or give it out. I think you're being taken advantage of OP as youre shy and quiet. This job sounds out of control and this is being said by someone who does pretty much what you do but I don't get put down and I know what has to be done and when and won't be pushed around.

With phoning people, I don't know what system you have, but perhaps you need an alternative method for contacting people who don't answer the phone, e.g. text or email. Perhaps have a policy of phoning twice then moving onto the second method?

I would also perhaps try and document your time if you spend any time dealing with things like first aid queries or delivery perhaps just write a note saying "20 minutes spent dealing with ill student" or something like that? Perhaps this way if it seems like you're not being fast enough with certain you can say you had to spend 90 minutes of your day dealing with first aid queries etc.

You've had good advice from others and if you do actually recognise that you need to have more of a can do attitude then that's good. Next thing to do then is to start working on that.

You are probably to me the operations person (probably the junior one) so you need to be clear what you need to do. So like others have said you need to start organising the office. Breaking up the day into chunks will help. So if you have till 11am then think what you can get done in 3 hours. If attendance comes in at 9.15 then how long will it take you to input this? Etc.

Stepping up to the role is crucial. No point saying 'I will try'. You just need to step up. Take control. My maternity cover lady has apologised for several things. My automatic response has always been 'oh don't worry about it I should have told you'. My previous person would have just shrugged her shoulders and blamed it on whatever else that was going on. It drove me mad.

Her senior manager just emailed me whilst I was out of the country to say that we might have problems with the minutes she took. There are also potential issues with some minutes that might not have been filed. She was just rather care-less in her attitude.

OP. I think this manger is just trying to pressure you because she in incompetent herself and thinks that is the way to get the best out of people.I suspect the extension of your probationary period is more to do with funding than your job performance.

Thank you all so much for the advice - I really am taking it on board.

I know that I need to make a different impression but am not sure how to make a big change pretty much immediately and to meet all their expectations.

I think the biggest change just now needs to happen in your head IYKWIM: keep telling yourself you can do this, hold your head high, take a deep breath and then do the best you can. That is all any of us really can do after all.

I would timetable up your day and a lot tasks efficiently, note deadlines etc,

Mark it each day as you complete tasks - find your own efficient way to work.

I am surprised to hear there is a lot of competition for this job, as a) it sounds stressful (you are doing many more tasks than the receptionists at my large school - we have separate attendance people and the main office do first aid and trips) and b) it is hard to get anyone to apply for school jobs. I would try not to listen to too much nonsense about probationary periods. It just isn't that easy to recruit decent staff. The people above you sound bullying and there are strategies for that. From a practical point of view, could you start building up savings to reduce anxiety about suddenly being out of work? Dealing with difficult people requires starting from a position of strength.

That vague statement about not living up to expectations sounds like classic bullying to me. That is a very unhelpful and undermining comment. The criticisms sound a bit too vague to be helpful.

Can you have a meeting with your immediate line manager or both of them, and go through your duties - so you can identify exactly what needs to be changed and which duties are fine.

Keep asking questions so they specify exactly what they think they needs changing in concrete terms - saying that you are "not urgent" enough I think is too vague. They need to say we expect you to get x y and z done in 3 hours, but you took 4.

Then you can ask for tips on how to speed up on the specific tasks.
In the meantime, just pop into local schools with a smiley face and give in your cv - might save them the bother of advertising a post and you could then move soonish.

People organise in different ways - may be they are expecting a carbon copy of super woman, but you could be different but become equally effective.

I feel for you. My boss is a bit of a bully and she'd come out with stuff like that. It makes you feel nervous, on edge and far more likely to make mistakes than someone encouraging you.

I had six months of feeling awful before she decided she liked me and left me alone. She's recently piped up again and I remember how miserable it was.

I'd employ you. It sounds like a relentless job and that you care. I know it's hard but I'd try not to talk about home life at all for the moment unless you are directly asked. Imagine a protective shield all around you and just do your best.

Truthfully it sounds awful. Can't you get a normal admin job in an office instead? It would probably be better paid as well. How about telling them where to stick it and going round the temping agencies?

I think it's them not you. I wonder why the last person quit

The last person didn't quit - she is the super efficient lady. The person above her retired and she moved up.

I have looked at local school and there don't seem to be any admin jobs going at all.

I feel like I am just waiting to be picked up on my next mistake.

You sound so very defeatist and down on yourself.

I honestly thing you should work on confidence, self-esteem and assertiveness.

You may well be picked up on a mistake again - so what? We learn from mistakes, we all make mistakes, I bet MrsSuperefficient made many mistakes before she became MrsSE .

Here's another thought: do you think a public facing role is just not a good fit for you?

It sounds like a really difficult job having to balance constant interruptions at reception with ongoing time-sensitive work, like calling absentees, with multiple moving parts all going at the same time. Now you are having to work under the critical eye of your colleague.

I work in the City and hire people to do admin roles. I have to say that not everyone can do or want to do this sort of role (thinking of the millennial generation ...). The school is lucky to have someone who is throwing herself into the job.

It does seem to require super-efficiency (which comes with practice and time once you have worked out your system) and a certain calm and no-nonsence persona to manage the flak.

Just wanted to show you some support. I hope you find your balance soon and your managers recognise what a sterling job you are trying to do.

^^ what pacific said.

Your choice of username is interesting for someone in a public facing role.

Do you tend to overthink things and be very "in your head"? Can you multitask effectively or do you need to concentrate on one thing at a time? Are you struggling to leave your home life at home?

Unless linked to a pay rise, ignore the probation thing. You can be dismissed within the first 24 months for no reason (provided it's not discriminatory) without comeback so probation is a red herring.

I'd take everything on board that everyone has said here.

I think as someone else said that Ms Super Efficient above you has moved up but used this as a chance to foist more chores onto you and her manager has let that happen.

I had pretty much the same in my soon to be old job! Started as legal receptionist/secretary with one other legal sec who worked 4 day week (not Fridays). Though I think my colleague was sympathetic at some times at others it was like 'oh super can/should be doing this etc'. In a previous job I'd had I'd been told by a manager they'd never make someone do audio typing and reception as unfair. Well I stuck my role 5 years got better job my boss now wants to hire a remote receptionist and typist and not a physical person which means my colleague will have to do my dogsbody stuff (buy milk, filing, stationery etc) and surprise she isn't happy and kicked off about it last week!

I would take all the advice esp from aunt on board but also apply for other jobs in other schools maybe even just admin jobs generally, so you have a fallback plan.

You do not want to be running yourself ragged if at end of the day Little Ms Perfect is still star worker and your manager keeps griping about you!

Good luck!

much - I have many years of experience in a similar environment; I would say that it sounds as if the office/staff set-up is partly to blame and could be far more efficient using improved technology.

Most medium-sized secondary schools would have some form of automated text (with email back-up) system - this would save you hours in an average week. It also gives you a much better audit trail and record of parents who do not contact the school; very useful if the attendance issue goes to panel or further.

Cash payment only for school lunch is also a needless waste of your time. A ParentPay online account plus some sort of pupil cash-loader would save hours of admin time - it seems hard to believe that your school does not have this in place.

You will find things easier as time goes on, but it seems as if you are dogged by a poor system - which is something that is out of your control.

You poor thing. I'm not surprised you're feeling a bit nervy with all the trouble in your family life.

Take heart - we've all been there. Job nerves are grim, but you can make it better. Stuff that worked for me was doing breathing exercises before I started in the morning, using all breaks to have a break not work, and styling it out when, like everyone, I got things wrong. Oh, and looking for a better job in the evenings.

If you think you've got a bad boss, there isn't much you can do except move, however. You'll get something else pretty quickly, you sound competent, sensible and capable. Really, you do.

Oh finally I would say this. Go out at some point if you can (or borrow) a nice jacket in a nice colour that makes you feel good. Add a nice necklace etc.... Get a brighter lipstick and wear it. I know it sounds daft but yes fake it until you make it.

And someone else said above skip lunches, for goodness sake don't skip those or breaks as aunt said you need those breaks to regroup etc...

I'd also go in 1-2 days over half term to catch up and see the other points re efficient ways of IT eg technology. The only thing I could see re budgets is they may not see reasoning behind this, think you're too new to suggest (Or we've done it fine 'this way') but they may well need an overhaul.

As others have said I think it's appalling management too. Anyone else above manager you could speak to maybe?

I agree with Talc that some aspects of your school's systems seem antiquated especially re: contacting parents and payments. That is not your fault and the school should be investing in upgrading these.

What does MsSuperEfficient or Ms Business Manager think about these because if they have not even thought about it, they are dinosaurs and frankly not that great at their jobs.

Your manager sounds awful op. I line manage an extremely poor performing member of staff, who has been performing badly for a long time but has never had it addressed. She has been downright rude to me in the past. And I'm still a LOT more supportive and helpful than your manager! You're new, you should be able to make your own guidance notes if that's more helpful rather than sticking to what you've been given. And comparing you to your predecessor is so wrong.

I'm afraid I can't give you much helpful advice other than tell you that your manager is 100% at fault for handling it this way, even if you are as "rubbish" as you say. Try and identify where your confidence is lowest, and be proactive about what you can do to improve, eg training courses or tips from colleagues. Good luck x