Can’t cope in my new role. Not Imposter Syndrome

[LavenderApple]

Hi all,

I have a corporate job and have been with the company for about 10 years.
My previous job was in admin and it was easy I guess but got very boring and I started to hate it. So I applied for a bunch of other roles internally and (only) landed a complaints handler role.

I was ecstatic at first as it’s at the head office, only need to go in once a week (rest is wfh) and a good promotion.

But now I feel so inadequate. I now suspect I have ADHD since I’ve started this job. The other 6 recruits are moving much faster than me and some of them are even external.

The role involves thinking outside the box, organising, prioritising, investigating and I struggle with all of the above in just my daily non-work life.

I get very overwhelmed and can’t focus and get very easily irritated. I am now incredibly stressed in the job because I have already been “told off” a few times and scared to work now. The weekends are now anxiety-filled on how Monday - Friday is going to pan out and this is very stressful.

My entire body goes hot with fear when I think about work. This isn’t normal. Everyone is saying give it time you will get there, but it’s what I am feeling and experience in that time to (if I ever) get there that scares me.

I don’t even know why I’m writing this post to be honest.

I feel scared and wish I could call in sick but I can’t.

Please share if you’ve had a similar experience.

BTW this isn’t imposter syndrome. I am honestly not good at the role and feel they’ve made the wrong choice by giving me this job.

Thank you

Honestly just find another role as quickly as you can. You've discovered that this role doesn't suit you and it's knocking your confidence. There's no shame in that, but you've got to now act to get yourself out and into something that you enjoy (or can at least tolerate).

Tbh it just sounds like it’s the wrong role for you. Don’t panic about it. Just think about what you’ve learned from this and look for another role that’s a better fit. What you shouldn’t do is think this limits your career. Look at what you excelled at and enjoyed in previous role, and then look at the kinds of roles where those skills are key.

i started in tech in the 80s. The standard career path in those days were if you were a good developer you’d move into project management. They’re completely different skill sets!

start looking for better fit options now and I’m sure you’ll do well in the next one

You poor thing! I’m so sorry you feel like this. That would really stress me out too. I wouldn’t worry about others progressing faster - everyone adapts and moves at their own pace- but if you are spending the weekend dreading Monday and it’s been over a month IMO it’s just not the right fit.

Obviously you could apply for other jobs (maybe contact a career coach for advice- mine was funded by the local council and she was brilliant!) but If you like the company ethos and would be happy working in a different role I think I would try and get ahead of it and explain you are struggling. Is there any one senior you get along well with? You could ask for a meeting and explain how you feel, maybe they can help - another role you could move sideways into that would suit you better for example. You could also ask advice from whoever managed you in your admin job, presuming you still get on!

btw apparently most people have at least 3 major career changes in their life - and it sounds like this won’t even be one of those - just a little blip. Please don’t panic, things will be better soon.

Personally, I don’t think anyone should be “told off” at work, even if someone has made a mistake there are better, more positive ways of dealing with it. This has happened to me too (even though I work so damn hard) and whereas I was previously happy, I now just don’t want to stay in my job, I can feel my mental health slipping. It’s just such crappy management.

Oh I really feel for you. I've been feeling the same but I'm slowly getting my head around the job and I have to stay for 6 months.
Can you ask to redeploy again?

OP I know how you feel, I have been in my new job for a few months now and it's just not clicking. More than that I don't actually enjoy the work and it stresses the hell out of me. I recognise what you say about getting overwhelmed and then not being able to focus or really do anything. They also keep piling stuff on me, and I never had a proper induction so I feel like I'm sinking. Honestly, it's not worth the stress.

I have started to look for something else. I'm not even sure what I want to do, but I don't want to be in this current role anymore.

Would it be possible to go back to your previous role?

If you're being pulled up on your performance then it won't be a surprise if you tell your line manager that the role isn't working out for you. I'd be sympathetic (and relieved) in this situation and work with you and HR to see what else was available that fits your skill set.

If you're in complaints handling then it sounds like you might work in a company with a quality department. Quality admin is generally pretty interesting and has a series of relatively gentle steps up the career ladder.

If you do decide to stay, look into getting ADHD work coaching via Access to Work. I found it incredibly helpful.

Life’s too short to be scared to go to work. I’d talk to work and try to get a role that’s a better fit. Even consider going back to your old role if u can afford to.

Hi all, I just want to say thank you so much for your advice, suggestions and kind words. Genuinely blown away at how understanding and sympathetic everyone was.
I’m not sure what I want to do right now exactly.. But I know what direction to go in based on what some of you suggested.

Thank you so much again.

Good luck for tomorrow LavenderApple I hope the Sunday blues aren’t too bad.

Thanks @Gunpowder 😊