Feeling inadequate at work

[devon2018]

Hi All,
I really need advice. I have recently joined a company as contractor. The field of work is completely new and I have been choosen as I have the technical skills but not the background knowledge of the field of work.

Over last 2 months, there has been several occassion when I feel inadequate. I am a perfectionist and I want to do my job well and proper. I ask a lot of questions in my role to make sure I have covered everything. My manager is always busy and lately (since last week) has started to avoid my 1:1 meetings. He is starting to get rude with my outputs and always point out faults which I have asked before but not received an answer for. Since this is not my field of work, I am struggling with basic details and need to be pointed out to me.

Lately, I have noticed that my manager would try and avoid one to one with me when I can ask him his feedback on my performance. He does not answer my questions clearly as well. He is always "not present" in my meetings. I cannot even ask my other colleagues as I don't want to gossip.

Now I am very confused that either I am throughly bad at what I do or that my manager is not happy with my work. This is my first time contracting and I am feeling very much like "fish out of water". So far in my career I have managed to achieve everything I wanted to and was praised for it. This is the first time i challeneged myself in a new field.

I have been having very strong instict that something is wrong. I feel cornered at work place. I don't know what to do. I feel as if I should resign but it has only been 2 months in the office and the contract is for 6 months. Any advice to calm me would be great!!! Am I being paranoid? I can apply for jobs but I don't want to keep running from one job to another. Any advice? Anyone gone through this? I don't want to quit so early. I want to give my 6 months to it and then leave with dignity.

Thank you so much,

Hi @devon2018 this sounds like a challenging first contract if you’ve no expertise in the actual field. Can I ask if you’re working inside or outside ir35? Normally clients expect contractors to be subject experts and require minimal/no supervision (especially if outside ir35). As a contractor you can’t expect any positive feedback ime (that’s not to say you won’t get any just don’t expect it). If you’ve been there 2 months though then you’re obviously doing something right, so I’d try not to worry too much. If your manager is pointing out faults are they something you can correct easily going forward?

My advice is keep your head down and I’m sure you’ll pick up the new field and feel more comfortable going forward. I wouldn’t resign personally as it doesn’t look good on your cv, and will impact your confidence. Stick with it and unless your manager starts to be really negative I’m sure you’ll get through this and feel a lot more confident by the end. Good luck with it!

I'd be more proactive in re scheduling your 1-1s as it sounds as if the managers avoidance is the fundamental thing holding you back.

Start looking for another contract, and try and negotiate a way out once you've found something different. Happens all the time to contractors.

Can you stop asking for feedback on your performance? Might be your manager is busy and doesn’t feel the need to tell you that you’re doing well.

I personally don’t think I’m doing crap until it get pointed out, which rarely happens, chill a bit and breath, trust that you are ok to the job without the need for praise al the time

Thank you everyone! Your messages really gave me strength that I was not doing anything wrong. Or that I should quit before contract finishes. Actually the clients side have been rather complimentary to me. I feel as if I am doing ok despite not being a subject expert but I have picked up things.

He is just too busy as you point out and as a contractor I know I don't have the right to ask for feedback but he should atleast give me a heads up if I am going in right direction.

Working with other team members have been rather pleasant experience. It is just him who seems to be always in a rush for everything. He is not giving me proper instructions or directions. I feel a bit lost. Specially in a new environment.

I wonder if I should go back to normal permanent role rather than contract. I thought this was a good experience to gain in terms of work. But circumstances have been tensed.

I’d try and learn from other team members. Arrange a ten minute chat here and there for them to give you the background on what you’re working on.
If you’re asked to do something that you’re not sure about, ask them if a similar one has been done before and for a copy of it.