To feel useless at my job

[user82918822]

My workplace has a award ceremony every year where members of the team get nominated by fellow colleagues for different categories.
I currently work in a team of 20 and everyone had a nomination except me.
It has really affected my confidence, I struggle with low self esteem so this hasn't helped.
I keep thinking I must be really bad at my job, I always try my best and put 100% into all my work but never get recognised.

It’s really shit if you’re the only one not nominated for something. I understand the feeling.

What I would be doing is using my reviews with my manager to get constructive feedback on what I have to do to be nominated and then working towards that over the next 12 months.

I would say you need to speak to your manager to get feedback on why it might be. If you were bad at your job, your manager would have spoken to you already.

It might not be your work. It could be that you aren’t as chatty or sociable as others. Or quiet come in, do you job and go home. Which is great, but you may not spring to mind when people are thinking of who to nominate.

What are the reasons others are nominated?

I'm so sorry you're feeling like this. It does sound a bit like a popularity contest though - nominating each other for things. I'd definitely have a chat with your manager about your work and whether they have any constructive feedback for you.

View it differently? Whilst they have the spotlight on them, it’s not on you. View it as a superpower to be allowed to get on with your work whilst not being held under scrutiny.

It is utterly demoralising. We have the same 10/15 people who get nominated month after month out of 100 employees. They do the same work as their department colleagues but are usually better at in house politics. You aren’t alone - there must be so many of us with similar workplaces. Plus, just how many laminated certificates of excellence does an individual want or need on the office wall before you look a bit of a tit?