New job, impossible expectations!

[Lushmetender]

I work in an area of expertise which is wide reaching. Depends on projects you work in to define the experience you get😊. I recently moved from one area back to another area which I’ve been out of for 2.5 years. I received a request to review something that I’m not an expert in and there is an impossible deadline. If I had time to research I’d be ok but I don’t and the client wants a response yesterday. Should I highlight to my boss I don’t feel comfortable in such a short timeframe to do what they need or try and do loads of research in short space of time? I’ve been given difficult projects already so feel v much under pressure with no time! I’ve only been back in this area for 3 weeks so feel overwhelmed with this request but don’t want my work to think I can’t do the job?

Hi, that sounds tricky, I sort of think maybe as you've been out of the field and it's a new job that is colouring your response as want to prove yourself and do well in new role but remember you wouldn't have the job if didn't think you were capable. I'd be very careful about setting up the expectation that you can be lumbered with a project in short time frame and deliver, on what you already feel are high expectations . Is it so bad to let your boss know you really want to do a good job on it but that's going to be difficult in the time frame, and ask what should your priorities be? : )

It is entirely professional and appreciate to say "this isn't my area of expertise. You need a specialist in XXXX to advise you on this one"

You wouldn't expect to be able to consult a lawyer who specialises in wills and probate to deal with intricacies of corporate finance law, or expect a lawyer who specialises in criminal prosecution to take on a case requiring a specialist in divorce. Part of professional behaviour is knowing the boundaries of ones own expertise and not over reaching into areas you don't know about. Failure to observe the boundaries of your own expertise is the behaviour of a charlatan and a chancer. If your new employers want a charlatan/chancer in your role then you are better off parting ways sooner rather than later.

If it's outwith your experience, then just say so. It's very unprofessional to pretend you can do something when actually you've never done it before, and potentially you could mess it up bigtime.

Just say to your boss that as you have been in X section for a few years, you are not yet back up to speed with the latest in Y so think you are not the right person to undertake the review. Suggest it would be better to give it to a colleague with up to date Y experience or you offer to do it but the deadline must be end March due to current workload and the need for research.