New job - I feel like a looser - I feel like I do not deserve to breath

Hey guys,

I have started this new job and straight from the first hour I have being given so much work and I am still new.

I am not doing well and its being a week, what I mean by that is I am slow but I do get things done but most time I miss the SLA.

What should I do?

Has anyone ever being in this position?

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Comments

atorven

Ask for help, don't just sit there struggling with stuff on your own, if you don't know something ask or read up on stuff. Also, cut out this looser talk, have some confidence.

Ismaeljrp

atorven wrote: »

Ask for help, don't just sit there struggling with stuff on your own, if you don't know something ask or read up on stuff. Also, cut out this looser talk, have some confidence.

Definitely , part of being new, and if it's entry, is that needing help is expected. Part of a senior's role should be to guide and mentor a junior in the workplace...and even if it's not in that senior's job description, he/she should do it anyway out of ethics, and proper leadership.

Stay confident like atorven says, get excited for an opportunity to learn. If you can take some work home do it, or take notes of what you are having trouble on, and train yourself on your own time, or talk to your senior or coworkers.

Page404

Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness - it can often be looked upon positively as it shows you are able to spot, communicate and look for a solution to the issue in hand.

It's common to feel overwhelmed when you start a new job - I definitely did when I started my first job in IT!!

I hope everything works out well for you!

JustFred

Try not to put yourself down, it will only make you feel defeated. Just ask for help. Tons and tons of resources and people who are genuinely going to help. Just ask

truckfit

yeah i do research the issue i stay up all night too.

I am working as an intermediate and not a junior does that mean I am suppose to know the stuff?

networker050184

If they hired you on above entry level then they most likely expect you to know some things that an entry level person wouldn't.

You need to let them know you are struggling now while you are still new. If you try to hide it and keep missing SLAs then you can probably kiss your job good bye.

Michael2

If you were being completely honest when you composed your resume, then the problem is the company and the way they operate. Obviously, someone looked at your qualifications and decided you had what they needed. You shouldn't be having any problems if you know what you're doing. It might be the company placing to many demands on you.

truckfit

In thé interview i did well and aced it most of thé things they give me i havent done it and i told them

tpatt100

Were you honest in your interview? I have gotten jobs before where I had to really dig to find out EXACTLY what was to be expected of me if hired. I remember one job I was hired for, during the interview I think I asked them more questions than they asked of me. I was respectful when they asked why and I told them I wanted to make sure I could perform the tasks they would hire me for and what I would need to study up on. Believe it or not there are people that hire based on resume alone and no sense wasting an employers time if you are not capable of the job.

Since this is entry level figure out what you are struggling with and ask for help. Find somebody that is patient and willing to work with you. Though expect a limit of assistance, find out how to figure out stuff yourself off work and the weekends. Don't be the guy that needs to be spoon fed everything.

ccnxjr

Also, when you ask for help keep a list of things you've tried or resources you've used in pursuing your own solutions.

People are (rather *should*) be more willing to help if you can demonstrate that you've attempted to find solutions on your own and provide specifics.
It's sorta like writing a trouble ticket for learning

Also , be a little nosey, when/if someone magically delivers a solution to you ask details such as:
which resources/search terms did they use ?
why did they choose one avenue of thinking as opposed to any other?
were there specific details that clued them in on what the problem may be and/or solution?
or just generally "what was your thinking process in finding a solution" to a problem.

If it's time volume of work spend a few mins at the end of the day to list your activities.
Don't ask for a workload reduction , rather ask for assistance in the form or extra hands or additional training.
If you can identify specifics your manager/supervisor will at least be aware that you've put some thought into the activity and not just despairing.
(even if you feel despair, it's not something you want to communicate to your managers if your fairly new)

truckfit

Yea i did well in thé technical test they gavee me and i connected well and understood what i was up against this is not entry level its intermediiate. I didnt think ill get a work load like this only being here a week. I do ask for help when im Stuck i guess its a case of being new.

tprice5

Starting a new job is overwhelming for most people. It WILL get easier.

truckfit

Here is an example.

Last friday i was given a task to configure SMS txt when disk is full this was a urgent task I couldn't do it in working hours so stayed up Friday night and did it. Manager said good work

Iristheangel

@Truckfit - For issues like that, Google is your best friend. Seriously. As far as more complex issues like actual code issues or proprietary one-off software, you should always ask for help since that's not something you'd easily know from experience or from searching.

If you were honest during your interview then they should have a decent understanding of the limitations of your abilities. If things get overwhelming, just ask for help. Sometimes all you need is a point in the right direction

truckfit

Yeah of course i use google

Well its just i have to fix CRM router issue in 2 hours but

i do not know how i guess i have to do it on the spot tommorow things like that i never listed i know how to do.

Iristheangel

Just say "Hey Boss, Sorry to bug you but I've actually never worked with the CRM routers before. Do you mind pointing me in the right direction for documentation? If it takes me a little longer to fix it, it's just because I'm learning it on the fly."

No matter what the position, no one expects you to know everything but you are expected to be able to handle yourself under pressure. Set realistic expectations with them. Don't tell them you'll fix it within X amount of time when you're not sure you can. If they don't see that there's going to be an issue, they're not going to understand why it's taking so long. Breathe. Relax. And explain to your manager what the situation is. It's not the end of the world not to know everything.

NotHackingYou

Iristheangel wrote: »

Just say "Hey Boss, Sorry to bug you but I've actually never worked with the CRM routers before. Do you mind pointing me in the right direction for documentation? If it takes me a little longer to fix it, it's just because I'm learning it on the fly."

No matter what the position, no one expects you to know everything but you are expected to be able to handle yourself under pressure. Set realistic expectations with them. Don't tell them you'll fix it within X amount of time when you're not sure you can. If they don't see that there's going to be an issue, they're not going to understand why it's taking so long. Breathe. Relax. And explain to your manager what the situation is. It's not the end of the world not to know everything.

Everything Iris said is spot on.

Akaricloud

Do exactly what Iris said.

If you get assigned something that you don't know go to either management or a senior member and politely ask if they could walk you through it since you haven't previously worked with X technology directly.

DB Cooper

Attack the problem with a positive attitude. We all have times when we don't know something, its your attitude that makes you worth keeping and developing.

Try to swim in unknown waters, that's how we grow professionally and in life.

CodeBlox

Lol... I'm in the opposite situation wishing I had a ton of work to do. My daily duties can be done quickly and I almost end up with nothing to do. Tomorrow I plan to ask for more projects as the ones I have been given were simple and are done.