How long did it take you to learn your job?

[Oddoneouta]

I’ve just started a new job and I really enjoy it so far. I’ve had someone explain and show me something so many times but it’s just like my brain won’t work I just can’t understand it and it’s so simple.

im only 3 days in so I am being probably a little bit tough of my self. But it’s just causing me so much stress. I come home from work and I have kids to look after and then I’ve got all this stuff in my head.

Its like I have a mental block and I just can’t override it.

I feel embarrassed having to keep asking for help with the same thing.

Some bits I'm fucking amazing (complex project planning, giving presentations, networking) other bits (admin and simple processes) I am terrible at. Honestly, I can forget it after 5 minutes. So now I have a fool proof method
Write it all down step by step, as they tell you, then write it up as a simple checklist and save it. Works for me everytime.

Write it down clearly step by step

If it’s a process, write down the steps.

3 days is nothing, you’ll be fine.

X-post with everyone else!

About a month (dental nurse) but was constantly learning through out the way. The key for me was a certain person training me she loved what she did and loved to teach and I felt comfortable enough having to ask her something either again or if I needed help with something.

I think that helped me was that she was understanding but strict!

I had no choice but to learn it after a month because I had to go solo after that!

Ive written it down but then when I come to look at it I’m just like what the hell!

6 months in and I still refer back to my notes sometimes.

Where I work it's a good six weeks before anyone doesn't have someone with them, and 6 months before they can work completely on their own. At a year they are still very new and still learning.

Document it well. Step by step. 6 months minimum. I've changed jobs a few times since covid and am about to start my third job since 2020. Hopefully, this one won't be a complete shitshow. One thing I have realised is that it will seem so complicated and then one day, you realise you can do it without thinking twice.

My old job I was bewildered for 9 months

I cried nightly but loved the people and knew it was a good job, I just thought there was something wrong with me

Then it clicked

Even got promoted

New job? I was fine after 6 weeks, but didn't have much choice as the job needed to be done. I just identified the useful members of staff, was very nice to them and was not above saying "I've no idea what I'm doing - please help" and they were very pleasant they no doubt thought I was an idiot

Now I can do it with my eyes closed, and regularly do you'll be fine

I've never learned my job. There's always more to learn, more research to be done, more to understand.

8 months and I was gone 3 of those months with a pretty much deleted work record whilst playing pass the manager who cares But had new people approaching me even today for advice cos the Manager and their training is so crap.

Good luck, you’ll need it.

I’n meant to soak it up and say Manager who started in Nov 22 was everything but I’d rather die.

I’m 8 months in and still learning so much. My job is cyclical, there are things routinely cropping up at different parts of the year and then other random curveballs come in unexpectedly too.
people doing the job say it takes a full year to have completed most of the tasks at
least once but that it takes repeating them for it to properly stick.
It’s very varied which I love but I still don’t feel comfortable in it yet. Some bits I’ve picked up quickly and I don’t have to refer to my notes much anymore which is a good sign. Some days I find myself have to ask things that I have forgotten but the team are really supportive and helpful!

3 days is nothing, be kind to yourself.

About 9 months been there 17 months now and starting to get itchy feet.

I started a new job last month, totally brand new processes to me. So I wrote everything down as we were going through it. And I asked the person showing me to wait whilst I wrote things down. Later on, I wrote my notes up again more neatly. Next time, I follow my notes and have so far never needed to be shown things again, but I do still use my notes a lot, presumably at some point I won’t need them anymore.

5 months in and I’m just now getting a handle on things. It’s a new department in a highly political environment. Ugh.

You need to take better notes!

What type of thing is it you are not grasping? If it is on a computer for example, once you are shown can you go back immediately and give it a go yourself, take screen shots and highlight the important bits and put notes beside them. I work much better visually with screenshots.

Even if the tasks themselves are not complex, if there are lots of steps, it takes a while to learn the routine. I'd say probably at least 3 months to feel comfortable understanding the basics of everything you need to be aware of.

Probation periods at every company I've worked at since 2003 has been 6 months, which seems about right for knowing whether a person is right for the job.

Be kind to yourself, you're only 3 days in.

I've been qualified since 2002 and am still learning daily!!