I started a new job and I'm panicked I can't do it.

15 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 21,2022 at 9:10PM UTC

   Yep. Don't panic. You've got this. You're new and you don't know what to expect. Perfectly normal. You are not dumb compared to the rest: You are new and still getting trained/acclimated. Breath. You've got this (and never feel bad about asking for help)!

2. AnonymousSeptember 21,2022 at 9:31PM UTC

   The key to learning new tools is to write down the process and create a cheat sheet. Ask around, I am sure you are not there 1st person to struggle with learning a new tool. My cheat sheets have been adopted as work step instructions and are now given to others. Also, each company creates different nuances to adopt a tool, so do not be afraid to reach out for training or use the help feature on the tool.

3. AnonymousSeptember 21,2022 at 9:43PM UTC

   Write down daily accomplishments! I have been there. You are wonderful and smart. That is why they hired you.

4. Carma SchrammSeptember 22,2022 at 9:13PM UTC

   Great idea!

5. AnonymousSeptember 21,2022 at 10:58PM UTC

   It's imposter syndrome.

   The best way through this is not to take on too much at once. One project at a time is best.

   Keep a legal pad or notebook with you at all times and track items and questions. Dedicate a couple of hours to train on the various tools you will need to learn. Organize your time in chunks so you are exposing yourself a little at a time.

   Be transparent with your boss and your team. They chose you. So be honest and keep plugging away. These are Nirmal issues so don't get too far in your head about them. Eventually things will fall into place.

   You've got this! Don't sabotage your efforts by projecting into the future.

6. AnonymousSeptember 22,2022 at 12:20AM UTC

   Another great answer! Yes, I've already booked meetings to learn the software better and I keep several note pads with lists of questions, etc. for my meetings. Thank you for reminding me to not project into the future!!!

7. AnonymousSeptember 21,2022 at 11:17PM UTC

   What type of work is it and what did you do prior? If you were hired it’s for a reason :)

8. AnonymousSeptember 22,2022 at 12:17AM UTC

   It's operational work at a leadership level, but it seems a whole lot bigger than I've done before. I keep telling myself exactly that-they offered and I accepted for a reason. Right now, it feels like a mistake, but I know it's not true. It just can't be.

9. AnonymousSeptember 21,2022 at 11:58PM UTC

   WOW thanks for posting about this. I'm new at my company and I often feel the same way. I felt kinda of alone here...

10. AnonymousSeptember 22,2022 at 12:14AM UTC

    It's the worst feeling! We are NOT alone and that's why I love all of these women who share their experiences and good advice.

11. Barb HansenSeptember 22,2022 at 2:12AM UTC

    Trust the team that interviewed you that they know more about the position than you do.

    They interviewed you.

    They hired you because they knew you could do the job.

    When that little loud voice inside your head starts telling you that you don't belong - tell that voice to go away (or whatever phrase works for you) and remind yourself that people who know more about the company and the job hired you.

    You'll do just fine :)

12. AnonymousSeptember 22,2022 at 12:57PM UTC

    So two things:

    1) Be kind to yourself. You have the skills and background to do the job but you are being flooded with new things every moment. It's okay, that's how it is supposed to be and pretty much everyone feels that way in the beginning. Maybe start your morning with a simple, "I can do this".

    2) Do you feel comfortable having a candid conversation with your Supervisor or Manager? If so, ask them how you are doing. Are they happy with your progress or do they have concerns? Listen to their feed back and Don't be afraid to ask questions.

    You Can do this.

13. JJSeptember 23,2022 at 12:28AM UTC

    They hired you for a reason! Maybe you bring something to the team that you do not see. You can be the best fit and still need training.

14. AnonymousSeptember 23,2022 at 2:01AM UTC

    This happened to me at my job. I started in November 2019 and then in March everyone went remote because of covid and boy did that shake things up. One of my main pieces of experience was tradeshows (the logistics and attending) and those all got canceled so the majority of the work that I was doing was brand new to me. For lack of better word it sucked and was super scary.

    My advice is to first breathe, then figure out a way to make things bite sized chunks, and most importantly realize that you probably know more than you think.

    In regards to the tools, take a step back to evaluate the situation. Are you sure that absolutely everything you are having to use is new? Sure you might be learning new tools but are 100% of the tools new or is it really just 75% of them? I bring this up because it is easy to feel overwhelmed and then go oh my gosh I know nothing, when in reality you probably have done something similar but with a different tool or used the same tool in a different way. Can some of the work with the new tools be done with a tool that you do know? If so, you could try doing the work with the tool you know and then recreate it with the new tool. This will help you relate processes to each other. Yes, it's double the work, but it could help you learn faster.

    As much as possible, the first 90 days you should be a sponge just absorb absolutely everything that you can. No one expects you to know everything or be as knowledgeable as them. What they expect is that you try your hardest to learn what they are throwing at you, and that you ask questions to ensure that you are understanding things correctly.

    Set some goals for yourself based on the different things that you are learning. The things that are easy, see if you can be proficient in them in 1-2 weeks, medium difficulty 1 month, hard 1-3 months. Then when you hit those goals reward yourself! Nothing crazy, but do something nice for yourself to help give yourself that mental push and remind yourself that you aren't dumb after all.

    If it helps you not be stressed, allow a bit of extra time at the beginning and end of your day to practice using the tools that you are having to learn. Think of it as study time like college.

    Whatever you do, do not let yourself shut down or spiral into believing that you cannot do this. Change is scary, that is why people avoid it. As others have said, you were hired for a reason, you applied for a reason. Write it on a post it if you have to and stick it to your monitor to remind yourself of that fact.

    Anyways, this got very long, but I do hope it helps. Good luck! :)

15. AnonymousSeptember 23,2022 at 6:36AM UTC

    Take a deep breath and relax.

    1)Many people have the same feelings of insecurity upon starting a new job. This is common.

    2)The company would not have hired you if they did not feel you could do this job. And you *can* do it.

    3)Remind yourself that you are in training and give yourself time to adjust. We all need time to learn when we encounter new situations or responsibilities.

    4)There are no dumb questions, especially when you start a new job..