To be disappointed with new job

[LittlePeepoToy]

To clarify the type work it’s fantastic but I started a few days before lockdown and it’s been so difficult.
I’ve got stuck in the best I can often working more hours than I’m contracted to and in difficult situation as have kids at home.
I feel unsupported my boss is under immense pressure both professionally and personally atm so don’t feel like I can approach them. I don’t have any buddy’s or mentors I can talk things through with.
On a zoom meeting with 6 other staff - 4 of which I’ve never met before and there wasnt any introductions or chat I felt lost.
My boss asked me to prepare something and was very specific about the format it would take. I prepared this work and checked it with boss beforehand who said it was perfect but had an email back senior who work was for basically said it was nothing like they’d requested complete mess, needs redoing.
I love this work I’ve been building up to this role for years but I feel I’m completely alone no support or colleagues I can talk to.

*the type OF work
I meant 🤦🏻‍♀️Sorry long day

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What work is it?
That might help me with understanding your situation

That sounds really hard!
Can you set up 121 with all the people in your team? Try and find out what they are interested in, what they cover, how your work overlaps with theirs? Do you have a team chat where you can ask questions, that don't require a full meeting?

I prepare lots of briefings for senior managers. It's normal for them to, what it feels like, tear my work apart. Often, and especially in the current situation, the circumstances evolve so quickly that their thinking has moved on and they have not had the time/forgotten to tell you/expect you to be telepathic.

The key is to work with them, not for them. Be professional, however hard it is. Share your work, ask for comments and suggestions. When receiving feedback then thank them for the time they have taken to input, and tell them you will get back to them with a revised version.

Sorry now- it would be outing for me to say I think- but public sector.

Thank you name great advice. I’ve revised the work and will send back tomorrow.

Also, try and cut out the messenger. Even a 5 min chat with the person commissioning the work is worth so much and a lot more efficient.

It can be quite normal to get feedback from a senior person saying it isn’t what they asked for. There can be multiple issues

1. Your direct boss gave you the wrong instructions or misunderstood
2. the senior person didn’t give much thought to what they actually needed and once they saw the first results knew what needed to be different.
3. The senior person doesn’t remember what they asked for. This happens all the time
4. The senior person doesn’t actually understand the task well enough.

2-4 are the most likely scenarios.
A few things that help
A. If given a task verbally, write it up and send an email confirming the instructions. They likely won’t reply, but this creates a paper trail
B. Time. Over time you will know the job better and will know if what they are asking for is the wrong thing or should be done a different way and you can tell them that before or near the beginning.

Thank you really helpful advice I will definitely be doing that going forward.
Once tomorrow’s sorted out I think I will arrange some one to one zoom meetings. I’m very quiet in the team meetings as I don’t know them or the get the office jokes etc so think it will be a good way of getting to know people a bit more.

Oh I feel for you. I started my current job two weeks before lockdown and felt incredibly overwhelmed at first. However my manager has been fantastic and I’ve now settled in and loving working from home even though I’m new and there’s still a lot to learn. I know your manager is going through a tough time but you need to discuss this with them before the situation gets worse. They are there to manage you and their personal issues shouldn’t be getting in the way of that. Hopefully they’ll be able to give you more support or at least point you to others that can help. Don’t be afraid to ask them for more guidance. It shows you want this job to work out. Good luck

Thank you I will ask for more help going forward.
I’m glad it’s been more supportive environment for you Tabitha.
I’m a teary tonight about it all which is very silly but I just feel so overwhelmed by it all and think i must be coming across so badly in all these zoom meetings.

Aww I completely understand feeling teary. A couple of days into lockdown I had a meltdown and considered quitting but I knew being unemployed during a pandemic would leave me feeling worse so I stuck with it. I wrote a list of things I wanted to get to grips with and discussed it with my manager and he was happy to take me through everything. I also tend to be quiet when I first start a new job. I’ve realised it’s easier for me to be social when wfh. 9 times out of 10 my camera isn’t on so I just go for it and ask everyone how they are/did they do anything nice over the weekend/ how are they muddling through lockdown? I also ask about their children etc. They can’t see how nervous I am but it’s really helped me start a few conversations and I’m feeling less like an outsider if you see what I mean. Unfortunately when you’re new you have to make most of the effort to socialise so I’ve been striking up conversation more. Even small talk is fine. I used to work with a woman who always said fake it until you make it and it’s very good advice. I’m sure things will get better for you soon