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I
recently started a new job. It is high-pressure and requires a self-starter.
It's
somewhat a technical field that will take some time to learn. I've been doing
what is expected of me, putting in the time and plugging away at it. However, I
don't recall ever feeling so inadequate ever in my entire life.
I work closely with a dozen or so people; some are supportive and help me. However, one co-worker makes a point of excluding me from luncheons, cigarette breaks, and even went out of her way to ask me a personal question that appeared to be out of concern, only to pick up the phone to make a call.
This was done in front of others and put me in a uncomfortable situation, I felt like a heel. I may be counting too much on the "team" concept to help me along. What can I do here so that I don't feel so inadequate?
Signed,
The Outsider
Dear
Outsider:
Feelings of inadequacy are natural when beginning a new job. Not only must you learn about your job requirement and skills, some of which may be unfamiliar to you, but you must also learn about the corporate culture and workplace dynamics. All of this takes time and being in unfamiliar waters can cause misunderstandings and sometimes hurt feelings.
You must learn to be a bit more thick-skinned and resilient in a situation like that. Of course, we all want to enter a new job amidst happy team members who are eager to help and be friendly. But remember there are all types in the workplace. Some of your co-workers might dislike their jobs, some may dislike you just for being new, some may be testing you to see what kind of person you are, some might be stressed out, some might be helpful, some may be just downright bad people, some may be geniuses, and some may be incompetent and trying to cover it up. You see there are all types to deal with, and being new you cannot expect to know what motivates your unfamiliar co-workers or how respond to every action or statement they make.
Like your job skills, these workplace dynamics and nuances take time to learn. So don't be so hard on yourself; be happy that there are at least some helpful people around you. Some people enter completely hostile workplaces. Do your job, be polite and friendly, knowing you might not always get that in return.
So what can you do to feel less inadequate? Give it some time. Remember how you felt when you first started driving a car. Nothing made you more comfortable behind the wheel except logging miles over time. What once seemed like a looming accident at every intersection is now second-nature. The same principle applies here - don't panic and realize you will make mistakes.
WEGO knows there are rough times growing into any new situation.
Dan West