Advice for new job needed, how would you handle this?

[StrivingStrivingStriving]

I'm just starting a new very part time job, stepping back into the world of work after many medical issues that trashed my confidence. I'm anxious to make a good impression and do as good a job as I can, of course.

I have not got a contract yet, but have had a couple of Zoom calls. The second was today and my boss asked me to contact another member of staff who I haven't spoken to yet to ask them why something hasn't been uploaded to a shared site.

I said I hadn't been included on the original email chain about these documents that need updating, and she said oh ok I'll do it then.

Now my anxiety is seeing a red flag that I didn't do as I was asked and have already started to "fail" at the job, but also felt it was slightly inappropriate for my first contact with this colleague to be basically chasing them and getting on their case a bit? Sorry not sure if I'm explaining properly.

She also asked me to read over the agenda for the next meeting which will be the first I will be joining, and make any suggestions as to things to discuss. But I don't feel like I can do that since I'm just starting - I don't feel I can contribute anything of value along those lines? In time yes of course.

Am I being silly? I'm just panicking I'm being absolutely shite at this job already.

I feel like crying I've already proved I'm useless haven't I.

You're worrying too much! I agree that it was odd of your boss to ask you to chase your new colleague about something you don't know about.

It's a good idea to read the agenda so you will know what they're talking about, but I don't think you can be expected to suggest additions to the agenda!

Don't overthink things. I'm sure you will be just fine!

Breathe.

You can’t ask someone to do something you have no knowledge of. So don’t panic.

Re the meeting. Just read through the agenda, reply to boss saying as it’s your first you’ll sit and absorb the information but if something comes up that you feel you can comment on being it up in the AOB part

You’ll be grand.

How about a suggestion of something to discuss being an intro to each of the team members and to you, and a discussion of whether you could spend some time with each team member, especially if there's some on the job training. Then you sound positive and proactive.

Also you're there because they value you already. You're an adult who has knowledge and opinions. Your boss is showing that they value your input already, take that as a positive.

Ring the other person up –or even better go round face to face - and say hello and introduce yourself, " I just thought I'd say hello because it's likely will be working together. I'm trying to introduce myself to my future colleagues blah, blah, blah. By the way, Boss Person asked if there's any chance you will have done that upload today please?".