To be scared I've fucked up at work?

[LilouLilou]

Moving to a new team in a large law firm (I'm a new grad). Had a call with a few members of the team a couple of days ago and the partner said I should pop round to his office to get some starter work from him; I did but he wasn't there. I really should have sent an email out (and stupidly told someone I did but was feeling a bit nervous so I didn't - stupid! I don't know what came over me).

Anyway someone followed up with me today about it and asked if I had met him yet/sent the email. I said again that I'd sent an email (Urgh don't know why)...

Anyway I finally sent one today saying it was great to meet him a few days ago and to let me know when was a good time to catch up. I got a fairly cold response back saying that because he didn't see me on Monday, he had given it to someone else but that he would keep an eye out for other things. I replied instantly saying that would be great.

He makes or breaks people's careers and I'm so scared of meeting him now - plus I'm sure the rest of the team will be aware of what has happened. I feel like I look like I'm not fussed about the work now - which isn't true and I'm kicking myself!!

May I suggest a seat doing professional indemnity work if you would benefit from some perspective on your (actually incredibly minor) fuck up.

Don't beat yourself up - just deal with it, be honest or say 'sorry saved to draft' but don't bury your head any further, people will respect you for facing up (and if they don't, that's their problem).
One thing I've come to realise in my old age (44?) and it really helps me deal with situations - step 1, ask yourself, what is 'the right' thing to do in this situation? Weighing up everyone involved. The honest ethical thing that has integrity. I find there is often a clear answer. Step 2 is, is there some massively compelling over-arching reason NOT to do what step 1 indicated? Sometimes there is! You want to be at peace, be able to sleep at night, not tormented by doubts. On a different subject, one of my lawyer friends occupied a senior partner's office while he was away. When he returned and she was hot-desking again - she remembered where she'd left her post-gym socks ... she had to walk into his office and say sorry I think i left my socks in your drawer ... he was silent

I have worked in large city firms all my life. Just take it on the chin and move on, lessons learnt and all. People appreciate trainees but are generally far too busy to register what trainees do or did not do and if they did, I question how important they are. Agree that you do not need to raise it again or manufacture any outbox excuse. People will have forgotten and you would seem a little weird to dwell.

Totally stalk the senior partners until you can get hold of them. You have lots of opportunities to make up for it during the rest of your training contract. The firm is investing a lot in you and will want you to succeed. Good luck!