Do you think some people just aren't competent and won't fit into any 2022 workplace?

[majellalos]

The skills that are required in so many professions these days don’t come easily or naturally to everyone and most jobs require a fairly advanced level of technological talent and a certain set of social skills that don’t come easily to everyone.

I really am not good at anything and despite being University educated I've struggled to hold down jobs because of performance issues in many jobs since I was 17. I'm 40 now and off ill but before that was doing temp work and agency jobs but just never felt right in any workplace. I'd always make a mess somehow or say the wrong thing.

AIBU to think some folk just aren't made for the workplace?

I can think of about 18 people to begin with. They report to a man called Rishi Sunak.

Has nobody else experienced this-just not being able to hold down a job?

I am really rubbish with computers.
Most office jobs would be beyond me I'm afraid
It is a bit depressing and I have done courses

Maybe you haven’t found your fit yet oP?

is it the drudgery of it all? If there anything you might enjoy such as a library?

No but I've only had crap low paid jobs thanks to mh/alcohol issues and then a disabled child, if that's any consolation.

If technology is tricky for you then surely a different career may be more suited, e.g. retail, caring, etc.
I don't particularly feel like working either, that doesn't mean that's an option.

The thing that makes most of us fit for the workplace is the need to earn money. I've had jobs I've loved, jobs I've hated, jobs I've been good at and jobs I have been poor at. You need to find the right job, but I don't think you can say some people aren't fit for the workplace.

Yes I recognise that completely, have an MA - passed with distinctions but no good at holding down a job. I struggle even with entry level jobs because my executive function is so poor and often find the social aspects difficult and exhausting. It's very common in people who are ND.

The thing with doing lots of temp work is it takes a while to gain experience and confidence in doing most jobs and the permanent people who are already there have that while you’re still learning. You get good at what you’re doing, then your temporary contract ends and you move on. Then you have to learn all over again.

You must have amassed so much experience and skills over the years! Have you considered looking for permanent work? I think you’re being very hard on yourself; permanent workers will get feedback and maybe even the chance for personal development that can lead to promotion. Things that build confidence. If you’ve only ever done short term jobs you wouldn’t get that opportunity.

You’ll have so many transferable skills from the different jobs you’ve done. Have you considered volunteering outside of work (or now if you’re not working) - so many places are crying out for volunteers and you’d be made to feel welcome and valued for what you do. It’ll then look good on your CV for future work.

Everyone I work with is incompetent. It’s rare that I’m impressed with someone’s work. I work in an underfunded public service, so even with the best intentions, work will always be delivered to a poor quality as the resources aren’t there and corners are severely cut

fairly advanced level of technological talent

um what do you consider this to be? At the end of the day, children learn how to do the basics at school now so your viewpoint of advanced might not match what the baseline is

and a certain set of social skills

like what? There’s job where you don’t have to socialise with people. But again, being able to build rapport and influence others will take you far in life.

Depends on where I've worked.
I've worked in places with some really smart people. I'd leave for the day and get the train and it became more noticeable.

Forgot to mention. Have you had any counseling for this?

I agree tbh. Find most people incompetent.

Are you neurodiverse OP? Not putting a label on you or anything, but it explains a University education but saying the wrong thing or worrying about saying the wrong thing is often vecause of a lack of confidence or a lack of understanding.

If you are neurodiverse, you are likely to have good number, analytical or investigative skills.

Ask yourself what you enjoy doing and why. Complete a few 'what job should i do' type assessments online. There are several free ones.

My view is that you haven't yet found the right role.

BTW I have dyslexia so am neurodiverse. I earn a >6 figure income due to my skills/knowledge and experience. I sometimes worry about what I should say but I've muddled through.

Good luck OP.

I think for the majority of people once they find the right type of job they will be fine. I can honestly say I would be completely incompetent at caring type roles. I just don’t have the patience or other skillset required, but am quite happy in a more technical type role. We would all feel incompetent if put into a role that doesn’t suit our personalities and skills.
There is a small percentage of people who wouldn’t manage in any role I think for a variety of reasons like a very aggressive, argumentative type personality. There are others who would succeed if given extra resources and accommodation.

Yup, well paid civil servant here. Many, many of my colleagues are completely incompetent and couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery. Several also have no tech skills, even the admin level jobs.

I get it. It’s frustrating because I’m smart but I struggle to stay organised and have a real issue with procrastination. I can talk the talk in an interview but it rapidly falls apart when I start. I keep trying different things in the hope I can find my ‘place’. So no advice but I empathise.

My personal experience is that I lack the assertiveness and confidence to be direct and back myself that leads to many in corporate business environments doubting my ability. When I worked for a small agency it was even worse and i put up with a lot of issues from male colleagues which really shouldn't have happened.
We have done many insight personality tests and although it sounds obvious, previous companies have been dominated by my "opposite colour" and they seem to take an instant dislike to me... maybe an easy target for bullies.
It has got a lot better now im in my 30s and I am employed in a company with a mixture of different people. You do need to find somewhere you click but I appreciate it isn't easy.

I am fortunate that I can read and write well and I’m good at technology and I can wing my way through most tasks.

However, my brother and sister are the complete opposite and struggle with reading and writing due to undiagnosed dyslexia and basically never going to school because of it and finding technology difficult.

I have known many middle aged - older people who really struggle with jobs these days and many have left my work ad they feel they can’t keep up.

Unfortunately, many of these are women who chose to become SAHM for a few years and now struggle with the massive changes in work.

I work in a school and my colleague returned in September after a few years out of work and was shocked how much is now done on computers.
It’s knocked her confidence so much that she’s handed her notice in and she’s not looking for another teaching job.

My partner would agree op
he doesn’t like people ( very much not a people person) or computers - a technophobe to the point of deleting all social media except watts app and only doing email if he’s got no other option.

he’s a long distance lorry driver- no colleagues. No boss in his office Spends a lot of time alone Ignores the phone if he doesn’t want to talk Bliss ( apparently)
The one time he was forced/ persuaded to do a customer facing role he lasted under two hours before he told an annoying customer to F off ( the boss was warned before hand that this was a bad idea )

you’re not alone

I used to think I was great at my job but I have realised that it’s just that so many people are a bit shit.
Some things I thought everyone did such as turn up on time, not skive, do the basic tasks that are asked of you and show at least some enthusiasm for the job are apparently not always standard.

I have met many people entirely unsuitable for the workplace.

However I suspect it’s the case of a bad fit.

I think most people would be good at something but some may take longer to find it than others.

Conversely they are some who can turn their hand to most things with ease.

I have a temp at the moment - she’s 62. She’s brilliant. I cannot imagine there’s much she couldn’t pick up but she’s constantly weeded out owing to age. She picks up the tech very easily and just diets her shit out. I really don’t want to lose her but her contract is ending soon.

I have been out of the workplace for 12 years, due to ill health (mental btw, before anyone suggests I can WFH coding or something).

I have worked in the past, but I got fired a lot. I don't even think I would pass any interview now as I can not make eye contact at all. I have tried uni 3 times, and dropped out each time. I have tried OU and the free level 2 courses. I have even tried leisure courses on Domestika. Can't do it.

I am scared to death about being found fit for work one day and having to go through writing a CV that wont have anything on, a patchy work history from over a decade ago.