New job is a mess!

31 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 27,2023 at 12:28PM UTC

   As someone who was an EA to one of the most challenging people I've ever known -- just read the room. You're not special, and chances are you were just told what you wanted to hear to get you in the door. It depends on what the work is, but personally -- I say feign some ignorance and leverage out the weaponized incompetence for the first 6 months and state you're onboarding still, then in that time find a new job. I say this as I fought for my team while in a similar position and to improve working conditions, and my team essentially chose themselves while I almost ended up in a lawsuit with the company over unfair practices. Unless you have generational wealth or exceptional clout socially, just take care of yourself. Trust me

2. AnonymousApril 27,2023 at 12:29PM UTC

   If you choose to stick it out, start a paper trail. You’ve asked for expectations and they won’t discuss them. You’ve asked for training and they’re too busy. They need to put that in writing so it can’t be held against you, otherwise it’s going to be made out that you lack initiative.

3. Rebecca MillikenApril 27,2023 at 12:59PM UTC

   Look for another job. Is this worth the stress? It sounds like no one there appreciates what you do or even cares. I feel like all I do is tell other people to quit their jobs but I've been in these situations and things don't get better.

4. AnonymousApril 28,2023 at 1:09PM UTC

   I’m so fed up with the figure it out yourself way managers are doing it these days, then when you make mistakes they blame you! Is it really too unrealistic to take a little time to train your employees and make them great as you need them to be? Not worth the angst, youre better than this.

5. Thalia MoshosApril 29,2023 at 12:52PM UTC

   Managers like this are too lazy to do their job. God forbid they have to train a new employee.

6. AnonymousApril 28,2023 at 3:21PM UTC

   Stop feeling sorry for yourself! Since the manager is unhelpful, Go ask the team members , either individually or collectively, for the top 3 things they need from you. Some may answer you and be helpful and some might tell you to go away. Some information is better than nothing. And now you’ve made a colleague/friend/helper. Go ahead and ask!

7. AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 12:09PM UTC

   Cut your losses and move on.

8. Well BalancedApril 29,2023 at 12:24PM UTC

   Start looking for another while you still have this one. Somehow, something has shifted. For whatever reason, they are not communications this with you and that is already a sign of a toxic culture.

9. Jennifer FingerApril 29,2023 at 12:33PM UTC

   Since you're not getting the training you need and your supervisor is so unhelpful, I would look for another job. The culture sounds toxic.

10. AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 12:35PM UTC

    You ask for training and you are new to the job. They tell you “no?!” How much bigger of a red flag do you need?! Start looking for new jobs, asap.

11. Tahirah WineglassApril 29,2023 at 12:36PM UTC

    This is a bright RED flag! RUN while you can!

12. Janine LefflerApril 29,2023 at 5:42PM UTC

    I’d have to agree with you.

13. Al McleanApril 29,2023 at 12:38PM UTC

    Not worth sticking around with the stress and culture. Believe me Im contending with both. Sounds like they don't want you on the team. Keep the job while looking for a new one. Hope it goes well for you.

14. RApril 29,2023 at 1:03PM UTC

    This depends on your financial dependency on that job. If you are 100% dependent on it and don't have a support system you can fall back on while scouting for another job--take control of the situation and do things the way you believe works for all stakeholders--yourself included. If you do something they don't want, let them tell you or get on board. If corrected, I would let them know, my supervisor told me to 'figure it out' and explain your thought processes behind your actions. This could be a pivotal moment where someone actually takes time to help you themselves or get the right person to help train you properly. They might even go with the flow if your way works.

    If you will continue to live as you are now without this job....I would cut my losses and let them 'figure it out' with whom will be supporting the team that you're supporting. It's not within your scope of experience, you're not being supported by leadership and what's worse you're going to eventually get fired anyway for poor performance if it's as bad as you say it is. I would cut my losses IF you can afford to do that.

15. Sandy NagelApril 29,2023 at 1:46PM UTC

    This happened at my last job and I stayed for 13 months and the software kept getting changed every 6 months and training was when someone was available. IF your finances allow you cut your loses. I am at a job now that I love and the pp are helpful and friendly. You deserve better

16. C AnnApril 29,2023 at 1:49PM UTC

    It's time to move on. The money is not worth it. I had a job with great pay and benefits but had the same problems that you describe. I was bullied and starting having panic attacks. I went out on sick leave and found a new job that I love. Less pay but good benefits but I look forward to going to work.

17. JoyApril 29,2023 at 1:49PM UTC

    The same thing happened to me. A few days into my "new" role in my company, I was told not to ask for help from anyone, just "figure it out." I wasn't ready, but shortly after I retired from that company.

18. AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 2:00PM UTC

    Do not spend another moment in a position where you are set up to fail and are limited in growth opportunities not because of your own doing. I'd start looking right away. There must be issues in the company that led it to a point where they would hire someone and have them do a completely different job than was promised. I'll bet this is only the beginning of the other issues you'll find.

19. AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 2:01PM UTC

    My suggestion.... Create a little action plan for yourself. Include several steps, including speaking briefly with various people who seem to be knowledgeable, so you can learn and document a few processes. Let your supervisor know your plan and this will enable you to create some order - and let them know you are moving things forward.

20. AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 2:07PM UTC

    I would also gravitate towards trying to find the best exit plan for yourself, i.e. looking for a new job and jumping ship. Obviously this place, sounds like they have a problem wa-ay out of your control and chances are it has very little to do with you. Some might say that you can stick it out, be proactive, whatever, however I would suggest that you choose to not fight this battle as your talent and skills can be used towards building and being valued in another place, rather than filling the holes from the deficit and satisfaction this place is currently giving you.

21. AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 4:12PM UTC

    leave the job. They do not value you. It’s important you value yourself because that sets the standard for how your employer and peers treat you. This company will never treat you well. I’ve worked places that have done this to me, and I eventually learned to ask the right questions ahead of time in interviews and on the rare occasion I missed something, I now just leave politely when possible. If you are financially able, I would leave before it hurts you in the long run.

22. K. LaSeanApril 29,2023 at 4:26PM UTC

    Never ignore red flags. If you are not being supported in the beginning it will only get worse down the line. The more you allow and tolerate something the more people are apt to continue bad behavior towards you. I know this from experience in working in toxic environments where I stayed on and endured, but ultimately, things never changed. Value yourself. Know your worth. You do not have to prove anything to anyone who does not show you the respect and consideration that you deserve. I would go where I am valued and appreciated as a team member and as a human being.

23. AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 4:29PM UTC

    Very few companies have the time and/or resources to provide formal training. You need to figure out very quickly how you can add value to your team. Study previous work from your predecessor, reach out to the person who previously held the role, Google, research, ChatGPT, get feedback and try again when something isn’t right. Work late. Come in early. Figure it out. You’ve got the experience and talent according to those who chose YOU for this position. Don’t let them down.

24. Shanthi CollooruApril 29,2023 at 4:43PM UTC

    I have recently started a new job as well in September and the same thing kind of happened to me. I was hired to be an administrative assistant and a designer at a medical office and got training for a few things through their computer program but everything was totally different when I actually got to the front and did my job. So everything I actually learned went out of the window and I had to do on the job training and just watch and learn. Even to this day I am screwing up a little bit, but getting corrected by my boss and my admin and trying to apply those to my job.

    I feel like my situation is kind of like yours.

    Just take a little more time on the job, learn from others around you by observing what they are doing and how they are keeping up with the job. Those things that you cannot learn on the job but still need those skills just google them at home. I wish you all the best on your job.

    Create a mantra for yourself to keep yourself going on those days that stress you off and remember it's not the end of the world, as my brother always tells me. That always makes me keep going. Hope this helps you.

25. AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 5:29PM UTC

    This one's tough, not knowing what you were hired to do and if they have no resources to help you be successful doesn't sound promising. You cannot put lipstick on a pig if it is what it is then perhaps look around while you sort this out in your head. Cutting your losses sooner means you tell prospective new employers you were hired to do one thing but in reality the role once you got on board did not exist and they only wanted an admin. As an alternative you could try for a limited time to manage them. I would put a weekly meeting on with each person you work with make it 15 minutes, do an agenda and keep it simple. Be prepared for whatever questions you have and be positive about the outcome and feedback that you get no matter what. Time box this to maximium say 6-8 weeks and then reassess the situation. During that time period stay focused on doing great work no matter what is thrown at you. At the end of that time period meet with HR and if the upswing of what they hired you for is just not there give notice that you are not happy.

26. AbeApril 29,2023 at 7:54PM UTC

    Move on good career is on for word not back word . look the bright side of bad day that will prepare you for good day ,so make you so strong in further!

27. AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 8:45PM UTC

    I understand what you are saying. I recently took on a role as a special ed. substitute teacher. Even though I have been working at a school for over a year, I just finished my formal onboarding process just yesterday. I was not was of my job duties were nor I was aware of duties and my work hours were employee. Even though I have been working for over a month, I still haven't gotten paid at all for the times and dates I have worked either.

    I am consideirng leaving this opportunity and working at another school.

28. AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 11:43PM UTC

    There is no perfect job. The communication is poor wherever you go, so it is better to bloom where you are planted. Unless, there is something so unbelievably impossible to deal with in your current position, I am finding out it is better to stay, and grin and bear it, because it can be far worse elsewhere. The grass is not greener on the other side. If you are quitting for better pay that is one thing but to quit for difficult management, difficult coworkers etc. Don't bother, they are every where.

29. Lisa MarieApril 30,2023 at 11:09AM UTC

    Exactly! There's crappy people/leaders everywhere. The OP just needs to teach herself her job tasks to best of her abilities, and keep collecting her paycheck. As long as she is really trying, she deserves every penny on that paycheck.

30. Lisa MarieApril 30,2023 at 11:00AM UTC

    Hello Anonymous with a messy job!!

    Understand that quitting is never the answer - IF you haven't TRULY tried.

    There are a few things you *need* to do, starting right now:

    1) PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE: start looking for another job. If you are dependent on the paycheck, do not quit - as you will not be eligible for unemployment wages while you try to find another job.

    2) BECOME A SELF-STARTER: Monday morning get a note pad and pen, write "Action Plan: on the first sheet, then flip over 6- 8 pages, then write down the names of the people on your team (one name at the top of each page) - and as soon as there is an opportunity - **go and ask each person you are required to assist to kindly tell you *the top three things* they need you to take care of for them each day** and write them down under each persons name. Be sure to ask which one is MOST important to each person and put a star next to the most important one

    -- pretty soon, you may see a pattern/repeat of tasks on each person's list

    3) Go back to your desk and on page 2 of your note pad, write Week 1 and the date - then make *one long MAIN LIST of all the tasks* the team told you. On your Main List, write the *most important tasks* from each person first, then add the rest of tasks.

    -- at this point you should see if there is a clear pattern or not.

    4) Use your smarts and wotk out a timeline for the day when you will/need to do each task each day - paying special attention to take care of the *most important* tasks first.

    5) Next week - go and ask the tram members for the *NEXT 2-3 important tasks* they need you to help them with. Then repeat step 3 above, but write Week 2 in the line where you will add to your MAIN LIST.

    6) You should now have a clear idea of what the team wants/trusts you to handle for them, and should be doing those tasks consistently.

    Use your smarts and figure out *how to* get each task done. **Ask Google and YouTube** how to do things you may not readily be familiar with.

    Keep doing the above until you get into a routine. See if that helps you to assist your team. If AFTER you do all of that (and you really should - because you ARE getting paid to do productive work), a few things will have happened:

    A) you trained yourself to do the work - and can now add "self-starter" to your resume

    B) you actually do start to contribute to the team

    C) others will see the effort you made to learn your job *on your own*

    D) you may become comfortable and not need to find another job

    E) you may fina another job and leave - or they may be petty idiots and terminate your employment.

    Whatever happens, if you do 1- 5 above, you would have honestly tried your beat to do the job you were hired to do.

    Stay positive, and good luck. Keep showing up on time and collect your paycheck - until such time...

31. Paula BrantnerApril 30,2023 at 5:53PM UTC

    I have been in your situation, and while it might not work out long term, there are things you can do in the short term.

    1) build systems that streamline your executive assistant work, write them up, and create a record of how to do that part of the job which makes it easier for them to define the job for the next person who comes along and actually wants to be an executive assistant. Seeing that concrete evidence will help demonstrate you're capable to do more than the simple demands of the job. 2) the job related tasks, organize them too, and figure out what training you would need to do them effectively.

    The easier you make it on the rest of the team with 1, the more room you'll have to work on 2, and you will have built stronger relationships with the team so they will be more inclined to share information instead of either hoarding it or not having time to share.