Just wondering

11 Comments

1. MARI S PHONASA, CPSM & CPSDSeptember 13,2024 at 1:39PM UTC

   Started late July2023 and my immediate team who are all remote were welcoming and accepting from the get-go. The extended team members in other groups but yet still under the same Director not so much. I am in DFW and the others mostly Canada. I've been here just over a year and still feel a bit disconnected. It could be this whole remote working thing, but it is sometimes hard to hear of all the team building events they are having at corporate in Montreal, and me and my colleagues who live outside of Canada are unable to participate. Could be just me, but I would rather not even be included in the emails if we are unable to participate in things.

2. AnonymousSeptember 13,2024 at 2:07PM UTC

   Thank you for sharing this. I'm about a year into a hybrid role and feel similar to what you expressed here. Perhaps it just us two?

3. Tami L CannizzaroSeptember 13,2024 at 3:10PM UTC

   Hi - for me, starting a new job has followed a 3-month, 6-month, 9-month rule. Meaning, the first 3 months were really tough; I was lost, had few (if any) connections and wondered why I took the job in the first place. By 6 months I could start to see a glimmer of hope - I may have made a connection or two; acronyms start to mean something, I’m more comfortable with work flow. By 9 months I pretty much have it down and wonder why I was so scared to start with. Keep in mind this was pre-pandemic, when we were all in an office. So it may take more time to adapt if you are fully remote. I think you’ve got this!

4. AnonymousSeptember 13,2024 at 3:52PM UTC

   Current job, not long at all...I kinda think I was maybe incorporated into things sooner than I was comfortable with, but I figured it out. And almost 2.5 years later, the colleagues that hired me in are all gone (there were...4?).

5. AnonymousSeptember 13,2024 at 4:22PM UTC

   It really depends on the job. If there are big things that cycle it can take a while for you to be a SME. Hopefully your supervisor is in regular contact with you. In those meetings, you will want to ask if there's anything you aren't involved in that they feel you should be. It's hard and lonely to be new. Hang in there.

6. AnonymousSeptember 13,2024 at 8:00PM UTC

   I ask nearly every week during our 1:1 about this and he always he’s sure there is but never gives me anything specific.

7. Alexis GladstoneSeptember 13,2024 at 5:30PM UTC

   Every company I have ever worked for has been different. Some of them it's almost immediate because they are happy to have someone in the role, while others, I may have integrated with some of the team but not all. There has only been one where it was toxic because I was an " 'outsider' with a related degree, so not to be trusted," while the rest of them had learned on the job. The funny thing is, I think learning on the job is even more valuable than a degree for some roles, including what I was doing in that job!

8. AnonymousSeptember 13,2024 at 6:48PM UTC

   3 months to get a feel for things like process and culture. 6 months to be truly contributing as a team member.

9. AnonymousSeptember 13,2024 at 8:36PM UTC

   I have always told myself to give it at least 2 months to get acclimated, especially if it was a completely new environment. Give yourself some time and grace. Good luck!

10. AnonymousSeptember 13,2024 at 8:59PM UTC

    In my current role, it took me a few months to get my sea legs. I was just coming out of being fully remote. I had to adjust to a lot. The people were nice but I also treaded lightly to figure out who was who. One or 2 took me under their wings and taught me a few of the systems I didn't know how to use. Management structure was terrible and there was enormous stress. I had one person who I truly befriended almost immediately. It took me some time. You are just starting a new relationship so give it time for them to adjust to you, and vice versa. In time, within months you will feel more settled in, within a year you will feel very much part of the team. I began my 14th year this summer, and I still feel like an outsider some days. But I have become the expert in the job and my boss is very much tied to me. Through the years I've made changes that have been implemented by proof. Engage, but observe, a lot. Learn all you can, study up at night, then within a year you will be the SME, I'm sure. Hang in there!

11. AnonymousSeptember 14,2024 at 1:20AM UTC

    At least a year and a half.

    But I started current job March. 2020 just 2 weeks before covid shut down.

    I was pretty much on my own trying to learn stuff in the office while 95% of the staff were wfh. Crazy!!

    But now I am asked for advice because they are returning to in person and so much has changed. They see me as experienced and love to work with me. It is mutual. I am blessed.