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Original poster

New happy in new job

6 replies

Pippielk · 20/06/2024 20:17

NOT happy in new job - the title should read :-)

I’m 2.5 months into a new job in a new organisation. I was made redundant earlier in the year and was really happy to find this new job as I got a decent pay increase but I’m not loving it - that is probably an understatement, I’m slowly hating it.

I definitely have imposter syndrome as while I have some experience in this type of role previously- it was totally different set up in my last employer with less expectations and more supportive colleagues - but I was there a long time and knew my way around.

One of the problems in my new job is that the person who was filling in the role while they recruited for the position is just not that helpful. She’s more of a technical person while my role is more being the face of the team.
she has given me some knowledge transfer but today when I asked her about a spreadsheet - she grudgingly gave me a few sentences on it. I could just tell she didn’t want to explain it all.
Even to locate spreadsheet was a challenge. She just said it was shared in a teams chat - I had to ask her to point me to it - feeling bad that I missed this bit of information - but then I discovered it was put in the chat a year ago !

my manager is good and I know she will want to know how I’m getting on and the trouble is I don’t know what to say - do I say something about this person or try a bit harder to get her to help me like setting up a meeting etc. Today I was just asking her stuff as she was sitting beside me but maybe I was interrupting her - I don’t know as she’s not al all communicative.
For example, today there was an event on we were both going to - she disappeared 15 minutes before it. I hung about waiting for her to come back so we could go together. When I gave up and went there myself - she was there already.

I feel I don’t want to go to my manager about these hurdles and should try a bit harder to resolve it first. There may be cultural differences too with this colleague but I can’t believe how one person can really affect how you feel about a job…

not sure what advice I am looking for - but just having a rant and if anyone has any pearls of wisdom to offer.

OP posts:
atticstage · 20/06/2024 21:38

She’s more of a technical person while my role is more being the face of the team.

That makes sense. She sounds like perhaps she finds the social interaction challenging. I wouldn't take it personally.

For example, today there was an event on we were both going to - she disappeared 15 minutes before it. I hung about waiting for her to come back so we could go together. When I gave up and went there myself - she was there already.

This could be that she's mean and hates your guts - or that she finds social situations difficult and was trying to avoid having to make small talk with you one to one. Given that she's a technical specialist who didn't want to stay in a people-facing role I know where my guess is.

Is it actually this person's job to train you up or should your own manager be doing that? If this person only provided temporary cover and has now returned to her substantive post does she even have time to train you?

FawnFrenchieMum · 20/06/2024 21:44

Everything that @atticstage said, plus you’re almost certainly in the consciously incompetent stage of learning (have a read up on the four stages if you haven’t already) and this effects how much other people’s behaviour impacts your thoughts.

New happy in new job
Original poster
Pippielk · 20/06/2024 23:14

atticstage · 20/06/2024 21:38

She’s more of a technical person while my role is more being the face of the team.

That makes sense. She sounds like perhaps she finds the social interaction challenging. I wouldn't take it personally.

For example, today there was an event on we were both going to - she disappeared 15 minutes before it. I hung about waiting for her to come back so we could go together. When I gave up and went there myself - she was there already.

This could be that she's mean and hates your guts - or that she finds social situations difficult and was trying to avoid having to make small talk with you one to one. Given that she's a technical specialist who didn't want to stay in a people-facing role I know where my guess is.

Is it actually this person's job to train you up or should your own manager be doing that? If this person only provided temporary cover and has now returned to her substantive post does she even have time to train you?

Yea that’s probably it atticstage. My manager is director level and is too far removed from the day to day work to be able to train me much. - I get high level information from them but that’s about it and they are always travelling too. I think feel I’m lacking support and hence directing it at the team member when maybe it’s not her fault.
I can only conclude their onboarding process is useless…..it’s hard being the new person in a large company where most people have been there years/decades.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pippielk · 20/06/2024 23:17

FawnFrenchieMum · 20/06/2024 21:44

Everything that @atticstage said, plus you’re almost certainly in the consciously incompetent stage of learning (have a read up on the four stages if you haven’t already) and this effects how much other people’s behaviour impacts your thoughts.

I had a quick read on the different stages - I think I will be at the 2nd stage for a long time as this rate….if I survive my probation period or can even stick at this job for the next few months.
I will need to do a bit more reading to understand how it might affect my thoughts…

OP posts:
Libre2 · 21/06/2024 00:13

Just to give you a bit of hope, I wrote a similar post about 8 months ago, also having been in a new post about 3 months. I was absolutely hating it. I’m now nearly a year in and really enjoying it. That four stages of competence is really interesting so thanks @FawnFrenchieMum for posting that.

I had a huge learning curve as moved industries as well as jobs.

Give it a good 6 months I would say.

Original poster
Pippielk · 22/06/2024 23:07

Libre2 · 21/06/2024 00:13

Just to give you a bit of hope, I wrote a similar post about 8 months ago, also having been in a new post about 3 months. I was absolutely hating it. I’m now nearly a year in and really enjoying it. That four stages of competence is really interesting so thanks @FawnFrenchieMum for posting that.

I had a huge learning curve as moved industries as well as jobs.

Give it a good 6 months I would say.

Thanks Libre2. That does give me hope. I’ve also changed industry so the learning curve is huge and not really wanted I want to do nearing my mid 50’s!

yes I need to give it at least 6 months more - just have to grin and bear it.
Just some days it’s hard to get up and face the work day.

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