My bosses told me I'm not progressing quickly enough. How do I get out of my head enough to focus on improving?

Question

I started a new job about 8 months ago. A couple months ago, a new guy started. He came at a good time -- didn't have to do any busy work, got to jump right into the good stuff. And today my boss wanted to chat… He basically said I need to be progressing fast and that the new guy has already caught up to me. I respect that he said this and I’m so mad at myself for not making a strong presence. I do feel like I’m drowning a bit with work and might have taken something that was a little over my head to begin with. The conversation was productive, and I've got some ideas about where to go from here. But I'm afraid that I won't progress enough and that it might be too late.

Anonymous · Answer

My quick thoughts on your situation: you may want to gather all your information supporting the work that you are doing and what you've accomplished, and start letting your boss know via email (keep a copy for yourself so that you can later transfer a summary of your accomplishments to your resume).   With that said, it may be time for you to quietly update your resume, and start looking for work elsewhere. You didn't mention what kind of support you got from your boss when you started out ---- if any. To just throw someone in without any kind of initial guidance is not a good sign. Was this 'chat' after 8 months on the job the first time that your boss offered any kind of feedback? If so, that is a problem right there. A competent boss starts by giving out a list of expectations from the very beginning --- not after 8 months. However, I am here to tell you that many bosses are incompetent, and so you have to manage them. You may need to take the bull by the horns, and manage your boss. There are some books out there on how to manage (ie. your boss) when  you are not in charge.  Also, you did not mention whether or not you sought feedback. You may need to bone up on your assertiveness skills.  The new guy may just be good at shooting the breeze with the boss, and promoting himself . Many women think that working hard and being modest will get them promoted. It won't. You have to be able to form good professional interpersonal relationships and the ability to toot your own horn. That you say that you are 'drowning a bit with work' and the new guy 'didn't have to do any busy work' tells me that probably you may be doing most of the work, and the new guy is not doing much of anything. I think it's great that you are willing to work with your boss to 'rectify the situation', but there are signs that you may be working in a toxic situation. From your comment, you clearly are articulate, bright, and hard working. All the qualities most employers would practically kill for. Why stay in a situation where you are doing the bulk of the work and not being appreciated? I say, get your resume in order, quantifying your accomplishments on it, and get yourself a juicy job with a great company that appreciates women of your caliber. In the interim, please get yourself some assertiveness training. You may want to take a look at 'Gutsy Girl' by Kate White and take a look at the 'Knock 'Em Dead' series on job hunting. I trust you will do well. :)

Ladyboss709969 · Answer

You are welcome! :)

My bosses told me I'm not progressing quickly enough. How do I get out of my head enough to focus on improving?

You're invited.

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