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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be mortified that I’m so bad at my new job?

18 replies

HoumiLoomi · 07/06/2019 20:52

I’ve got a new job that has required me moving cities. It’s an Administrator type role.

I’ve been in the job a week and have made a lot of really stupid errors, (using the wrong formatting for letters, inputting incorrect data on spreadsheets etc). It’s made worse by the other new start being incredible and not having put a foot wrong.

I know it’s only been a week but I’m worried that I’m always going to be seen as the incompetent one now. This feeling is made worse by the knowledge that in 6 months time there is going to be the chance of a temporary promotion. I was told in my interview ecause I’m over qualified for the Admin role, they would want to offer it me. If I keep fucking up I’m going to lose that as well.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 07/06/2019 20:54

Why did you make those mistakes? Can you put things in place (extra checking etc) to catch them?
It sounds like this will be a self fulfilling prophecy unless you nip it in the bud. We're you incompetent in your last job? No? Then you can do this one, you just need to work out what you're struggling with before you go much further.

Yesicancancan · 07/06/2019 20:55

Relax, smile and stop comparing yourself.

Merryoldgoat · 07/06/2019 20:55

Why are you making mistakes? Rushing? Nerves? Carelessness?

How were the mistakes picked up? How were they resolved?

Mistakes are inevitable - it’s how you resolve them and put strategies in place to stop then recurring that’s important.

jennymanara · 07/06/2019 21:10

Are you stressed and nervous? Because that is when I find I make mistakes.

Desmondo2016 · 07/06/2019 21:13

She's probably making mistakes too, she's just better at putting the front on. Be yourself, they employed you for a reason.

HoppityChicken · 07/06/2019 21:20

I'm a run-before-I-can-walk kind of person in a new job, I try and multi-task too soon. My mind is always on the next task before I finish the first. Try slowing it right down, take the time to double check what you've done before moving on to the next thing. Don't just read back what you've just done, read it out loud in your head (if you know what I mean). You've only been there a week. There's hitting the ground running and there's hitting the ground at a steady jog.

HoumiLoomi · 07/06/2019 21:26

I think I’m making mistakes because I’m so desperate to get things right, if that makes sense. I was told 3 times how to do a letter and 3 roles today I needed to reprint it because of the same spacing or formatting issues. I looked and felt like a total idiot. The same thing happened with the spreadsheet 3 times as well. I’m so nervous and anxious about it. Then I make a mistake and it’s a vicious cycle.

OP posts:
HoumiLoomi · 07/06/2019 21:31

I’m hoping if by some miracle I can get my act together on Monday I won’t forever be thought of as the office idiot.

OP posts:
EustaciaPieface · 07/06/2019 21:35

It’s your first week! Be kind to yourself, no one could possibly get everything right in their first week. Slow down if you can. You’ll look back on this week in the future and wonder why you were so hard on yourself - good luck next week. Maybe ask your coworker for some tips too? xxx

CSIblonde · 07/06/2019 21:41

Try to stop rushing & panicking.. Strategies that will help you feel calmer/more organised:
If they're a big corporate their intranet will have samples of formats/fonts you can save to your desktop. If they're a smaller business ask for examples & again save to desktop & just type over/in spaces & rename when saving. Put report deadline reminders in your calendar: the day before they're due so you don't miss them.
Right click on any email in your inbox & you can add a red flag that shows its a priority & at a glance you know what's to be done first.
Keep a 'how to' for processes your notebook so you don't miss steps out until it come as 2nd nature. (the average person needs 12goes before a new procedure becomes automatic).

Lllot5 · 07/06/2019 21:42

It’s only been a week don’t be so hard on yourself.

Stefoscope · 07/06/2019 21:54

Don't be too hard on yourself, noone walks into a job able to do it perfectly. Can you take notes as you're being shown how to complete tasks? I'm sure they'd understand if you need to take a bit of extra time to check through your work.

HoumiLoomi · 07/06/2019 21:54

Thank you CSIblonde that’s really helpful. I just feel like making all these mistakes is making me look careless in a job where you can’t afford to be. I had a awful dream last night about my manager telling me that I was too bad at the job to stay at the company.

OP posts:
Geraniumpink · 07/06/2019 22:08

Definitely keep a notebook. I was fairly awful in my first few weeks at my new job- I was just so nervous and sweaty all the time! It wears off around the six week mark.

TSSDNCOP · 07/06/2019 22:24

Know that when Shiny Colleague fucks up it will be a Whopper.

It’s Week 1, you’ve been wearing your clown shoes and gloves and over compensating.

Monday, new week, chill the fuck out.

I made a fucking HUGE mistake today. My boss was like “seriously TSS I’ve put you under 8 months of stupid pressure in a new role and this year, get over it” hasn’t stopped me wanting to beat myself with sticks, but at heart he’s right.

oneforthepain · 07/06/2019 22:39

Draw a line under this week - it's gone, you can't change it, but you can learn from it and implement a plan next week to make next week different.

Get yourself a notebook, and start filling it out as you go with the standards and processes. Make yourself a checklist of everything you need to review before you pass somebody a document. Then each time you complete a task refer back to it and check off everything. And definitely start saving templates to use.

If you have time it can also help to set aside a letter, complete another task, and then review it with fresh eyes. If possible, printing a copy for yourself to review off screen, at least while you're getting to grips with it all, can help. I often notice things when it's printed that my eyes skimmed over on screen.

It can also help to read documents backwards to check spelling etc. When you read normally your brain has a tendency to show you what you think you should be seeing so you can miss mistakes. Whereas reading backwards forces it to pay attention to what's actually there.

Lastly, be kinder to yourself. Employers expect new starters to be anxious and make mistakes as they get to grips with things. Panicking and telling yourself you're useless and about to be fired is just feeding the anxiety, which was causing the mistakes in the first place. You're going to get stuck in a vicious circle if you continue.

What would be a kinder and more rationale thing to tell yourself? They've invested in you, see capability in you, and want you to succeed. You're capable of these tasks if only you can slow down and be calmer.

Find a more helpful, believable thought to tell yourself next time you start to panic and then pause, take some slow breaths, and carry on once you're feeling calmer. Reminding yourself you can do this.

HoumiLoomi · 07/06/2019 22:42

Thanks oneforthepain some brilliant tips there.

I’m a control freak/ perfectionist I’m not used to getting things wrong and I hate it. I will try and chill the fuck out Monday though.

OP posts:
Loopytiles · 07/06/2019 22:45

Sounds like nerves, and like there are very specific ways they do things that you’re not familiar with.

Try not to be hard on yourself or catastrophise, IME that makes it harder!

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