To feel like I’m crap at my job and will get sacked soon?

[AprilMayJuneJuly]

I’ve name-changed for this.

I started a new job recently, and I’m already nervous that I’m going to get sacked soon.

I know that sounds like quite an irrational thing to say, but it’s because I’m getting nervous about my performance and I’m not sure how I can be effective in the job.

I know it’s early days (I started at the end of last week week) but, at the same time, I know that every day counts.

I’m still getting used to the systems and policies at my new workplace, so have been taking time to write down everything I’m finding out and organising it in a notebook so that I can refer back to it whenever I need to. I feel like this is helping, but I’m worried that I’m taking too long to understand everything and that there’s something wrong with me.

I’m worried that I’ll just get passed over and never given any responsibility as I’m a bit crap

It’s a huge workplace with a lot of rules and regulations, and although my job is very junior, I’m finding it hard to remember everything and to try and prove myself at the same time, as everyone is so busy.

I’m in a really small team, and the newest member. Everyone else in the team is really nice, and I really like the culture of the workplace, but everyone’s so busy and I think I’m starting to annoy my team members with the amount of questions I’m asking them.

I’m never sure when to ask a question when I’m unsure about something, as everyone has such a huge and constant workload. I try to ask questions in batches, but I’m never sure when is a convenient time.

For example, I’ll ask my manager when I could go through X, Y and Z with them, and they’ll suggest a time, but then when the time comes, they’ll apologise and say they're really busy and then ask if we can catch up the next day so they can answer my questions.

Also, a big part of the job involves clear and concise communication, but I get so nervous that I either speak way too quickly and jumble up my words and then have to repeat myself, or I don’t express myself very clearly

Please could you all help? It would be so useful to have a bit of reassurance and guidance please.

This is my dream job and I really don’t want to mess it up

Thanks so much.

It’s early days ! And the fact you are trying to ask and learn is great . And don’t feel
Offended that people are busy / they probably are ! I love it when new starters want to ask questions and learn

Your only problem sounds like lack of conference to me

Do your tasks , and listen loads and smile and you’ll be great

That’s very normal imo, I started my current job with a group of other new starters and we’ve all expressed similar concerns. You’ll slowly find yourself knowing it all.

You know what OP? I am a very competent person doing a complicated job that has a huge amount of instructions and regulations surrounding it. Im very good at my job because Ive been doing it for years.

Put me in your job and guess what I would be doing?. Asking loads of questions, Asking them again because I didn't get my head round the answers. Tripping over my words and repeating myself and probably wondering if I even should be doing the job at all.
Yep just about the same as each and every new starter who ever managed to get themselves a job.

Relax and let the time pass. Unless you are playing on your phone instead of learning the role or popping off for breaks every half hour you are probably doing exactly as you should at this stage in your training.

The world expert in imposter syndrome

Thank you so much, everyone. Your comments and advice have been so helpful.

I really like it when new starts ask questions. It means they’re learning.

And just occasionally you’ll get a question that will expose a weakness in a process or suggest a new way of doing something. I always tell people ‘ask, because if you don’t get it, it’s probably me who wasn’t clear and I bet other people have the same question.’

Always ask - there are no stupid questions. And NO ONE picks up a complex job instantly - all complex jobs require learning, observing etc.

It’s the people who swan in and think they know what they’re doing better than those who have been there five years that are usually shit at the job and a pita.

You’ll do fine. Learn, ask, work ethic, positive attitude and you’ll be grand.

As a manager I LOVE people who actually take notes and ask questions instead of nodding their heads as if they understand only to get everything completely wrong so please don’t worry.

As for the “I’ll catch up with you tomorrow” scenario- if it was me (and i do do this if very busy) it means that they trust that you are doing fine (as hey haven’t heard anything to the contrary).

Chill. All new jobs take at least 6 months to learn the basics

OP, you'll be fine! Don't be too hard on yourself in the early days.