Struggling in new job

9 replies

Galaxyfarfaraway3 · 13/04/2023 14:10

I started a new job last week and I have a feeling that my manager thinks I'm an idiot. I know how to do the job as it's similar to my last role so that's not the issue. It's little things that I need help with. For example I didn't know how to book/schedule a meeting on our calendars. He asked me to do it whilst we were on a teams call and I had my screen shared, and I had to ask him what to do and he looked at me as though I had 3 heads. I felt really embarrassed as it was such a small thing and was really easy to do once he showed me, but I genuinely didn't have a clue as my manager always use to book the meetings at my last job.

Same thing happened whilst typing up an email. He asked me to send one whilst my screen was shared and it was as if I'd forgotten how to spell. He kept having to correct me, tell me to take things out and then ended up telling me what to write and how to spell. I couldn't remember what a hyphen was either ffs and had to ask him. I'm not sure if it was just nerves from being watched or something. I feel so frustrated with myself and just came off the call and had a little cry. It's just made me realise how many things that I don't know about, that I should know and I'm worried he'll think he's made a mistake hiring me as I can't even send an email or add something into a bloody calendar. I'm worried I'll be known as the "dumb" one in the team.

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Original poster

Galaxyfarfaraway3 · 13/04/2023 14:22

My old manager wasn't very hands on and there was a lack of training there, so I feel like my confidence has just plummeted tbh

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Greensleevevssnotnose · 13/04/2023 14:24

Oh dear, I would apologize and say it was nerves and then do a quick brushup course. There's loads on YouTube or LinkedIn learning I'm doing one now in scheduling zoom meetings as I am used to Teams

Jezzballs2000 · 13/04/2023 14:29

i moved jobs recently after 14 years at the old place. I struggled for the first few months as so many small things were different but i'm feeling much better about it all now and i'm sure you will do soon. We have quite different IT culture at the new place so i'm learning to google things and ask if i need to. I'm sure I'll have another blip soon but remember it takes about 6 months to really settle. Good luck! x

Original poster

Galaxyfarfaraway3 · 13/04/2023 14:29

Thanks for your reply. I did apologise at the time, but I feel so shit now I've come off the call. It must have been nerves because I can spell and don't normally have any issues with sending emails. The role is exactly the same as my old job but this company seem to have a lot more calls/meetings/sharing screens etc. We never really did that in my old place.

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Minesababycham · 13/04/2023 14:30

New jobs are tough especially starting remotely as you’re not able to just able to ask someone sitting next to you. Is there anyone else in the team that you can be ‘buddies’ with. For the email sounds like you were just getting a bit nervous and your brain just froze (mine does it a lot! 🤪). Try not to worry and give yourself a break. Cup of tea and deep breath!

HarlanPepper · 13/04/2023 14:31

I wouldn't worry about these small issues. You've just started and you're naturally anxious to make a good impression, but there's always a learning curve in any new job.

Now you know how to schedule meetings in Teams, and as you say yourself it was totally straightforward. You'd have worked it out yourself if you hadn't been asked to do it on the spot. Being observed makes most people nervous, especially in a new job.

Original poster

Galaxyfarfaraway3 · 13/04/2023 14:32

Thanks @Jezzballs2000 you've summed it up perfectly. It's lots of little things that are different and they are more advanced with their IT than my old place was. I suppose it just takes time. I'm just worried he thinks I'm stupid and might get rid of me.

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Jezzballs2000 · 13/04/2023 14:34

@Galaxyfarfaraway3 i know that feeling exactly but try not to over think it, I doubt he'll remember it and worth taking a bit of time to investigate their systems and google really obvious things. You'll get there soon!

Lavender1974 · 13/04/2023 14:55

Ahhh, starting a new job sucks and what you are experiencing is totally normal. I’m a teacher and started at a new school last Sept and honestly felt completely rubbish and incompetent in the first few weeks (I have been teaching for over 20 years and am confident I do a good job). So many little things like knowing how to use the photo copier, knowing who to email about what, knowing where to find the right stuff on Teams made me feel like I was always on the back foot. I also worried that my style of teaching wasn’t the same as the vibe at the school. I do feel much better now but still feel it will take me until this Sept to feel properly settled. Give it time and don’t overthink it. At first I was trying too hard to present an ultra serious persona which just wasn’t me and now I have relaxed more into my natural self things are much better. It is totally understandable not to know how set up meetings with a system you haven’t used before and also to feel pressure writing a email being watched. Any reasonable person would know this. You’ll be fine I am sure. But, as I said, starting a new job inevitably sucks!

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