God, I’m so pathetically proud of myself.

[JenniferJupiterr]

And it is a bit pathetic as you’ll see when you read on!

I applied for and got a job in the Civil Service - something I never thought I’d have a chance of getting. And I nearly didn’t apply for because one of the essential criteria was ‘competent in Microsoft 365.’

Well, one of the things I’m absolutely not competent in is Microsoft anything. I’m ashamed to say I’ve never ever opened up Excel or Word - and this is despite me running my own business! (I hasten to add I had a business partner who did all that stuff!) … and because I’m in my 50s I genuinely thought I wouldn’t ever trouble myself with this stuff. I find it terrifying and confusing so always have sought to avoid it.

Anyway, this job is something I really wanted to go for, it’s really interesting so I had to overcome my many years ingrained fear

But I’ve done it. I’ve spent the past few weeks teaching myself all things Microsoft 365. I can create a spreadsheet, I can format it. I can filter it. I can open word and create and save a document. I can create meetings in Teams via Outlook calendar

I appreciate it’s very embarrassing and the achievements of a 5 year old and most of the people I’ve told have laughed hysterically but meh… an achievement is an achievement right?!

Congratulations! Nothing pathetic about this. Well done.

Well done! It is a huge achievement to learn something you've never used before, and to pick it up so quickly that you get a job that relies on it is really impressive.
Enjoy the new job.

Not pathetic at all. Congratulations on your new job!

That’s fab. Well done.

Well done!

Thank you 🥰 … but when you find yourself typing into Google ‘what exactly IS excel for?’ it’s hard not to feel a bit embarrassed

Not remotely pathetic. Most people never tackle this type of fear or weakness - and we all have them! I actually find this v inspirational. Congrats on the new job!

Well done, that is fantastic work. I will award you a shiny gold trophy🏆 good luck for your new career. It's exciting to do something new.

Well done you! It's not pathetic in the slightest and fantastic that you got the job, be very proud of yourself 🥳👏

What department was it OP?
I’m in my 50s and thinking about applying for CS.

Very well done - and as a reward you get to enjoy the amazingness of Excel 😍

(I'm actually serious - I may be slightly addicted to Excel, you can find sooo many uses for it! Have fun!)

Getting a new career in your 50s in this market is an incredible achievement. Never mind what you had to Google. You got it!

I pathologically hate Excel OP, and my heart sinks every time our accountant at work sends me a spreadsheet. Well done for learning such a skill.

@BurntBroccoli it’s the CPS! Applied last October, had a total of 3 interviews and was finally offered the role in March. So it’s a bit of a slog but worth it

I’m actually already in the Civil Service but it won’t amaze you to hear that it’s a role that doesn’t involve a spreadsheet 😃

Not pathetic at all! You’ve got yourself a new job, you’ve taught yourself a new skill!

If you need to do lots of excel in your new job, don’t be afraid to look up guides for formula (my job revolves around excel and I google something every week), and copilot can be very helpful for putting complicated formula together!

Awesome! Don’t be embarrassed- we all have stuff we can’t do. You’ve taught yourself and that’s fantastic!

@TellMeWhatToWear that’s the thing … I’m not convinced there’ll be much in the way of excel at all! But I decided that in for a penny, in for a pound , so might as well learn all the basics of Microsoft 365.

That’s what the job ad specified so that’s what I’ve done. 😃

I’m so impressed with you op!

Brilliant, well done.

Well done you. I got dream job in CS last year (quite a niche department) and 6 months on I'm loving it.

I love this! Well done op 😁

Nothing pathetic at all about that! Well done.

It’s always great to see some positive news.

Congratulations! You have every right to be proud of yourself.

Well done! Enjoy your accomplishment!

Ah that’s great! I’m sure you’ll be fab - spreadsheets are actually really useful once you’ve got the hang of them, especially data filters!

I used to be in the Civil Service too but left about 20 years ago now!