I need encouragement

[Ava]

Today I started my new job.
I just came home, took a deep breath, and started crying.
The bank is good, people are nice, and the benefits are awesome.
I thought they were o.k. when I read the offer letter, but they are really good. HR gave us an orientation today.
The problem is that after the orientation they sent me to start my new job.
The supervisor put the other new hire and me in two cubicles, one next to the other, and let us figure things out for ourselves.
I started getting stressed out right away. I am not good with computers. I know the basic internet browsing and doing school problems in excel, or writing a letter or a resume in word. That's about it.
The bank has everything done by computer. You have to sign up for benefits on the intranet, you have to use outlook. You have to do assignments sent by your supervisor by e-mail.
It was a lot for me and felt overwhelmed. I want to do good on the new job, I don't want to go back to cashier jobs. I want to go forward and succeed.
Nobody helped the new hire and me. We were on our own. He figured a few things by himself and helped me a little bit. But I am really behind in all the signing up and all the new passwords and things we have to do.
Please encourage me. I feel like a moron right now. I worked so hard for many years going to night school. I also left my previous job. I don't want to think about the chance of not passing the trial period. I need the income.
Sorry about the pity party, but I feel really down.

[Ava]

Thank you, Nasgul Girl. I am taking the deep breath. That's as far as I got. Trying to calm down. I am sure I can figure out Outlook, but not right away. It will take me a couple of days, maybe a week.
I didn't use computer programs in school, except for excel to do accounting classes. We used that and the intranet to sign up for classes, see our grades, etc. Nothing too fancy.
This is a lot of information in just a few hours. Lots of pages where you have to sign up, and the supervisor seems to be the type of person that leaves you to your own devices. And that is fine, I don't like micro-managers, but my first day it's kind of tough to figure everything on my own.
I hope it gets better tomorrow, and the day after that.
Thanks for your offer to help, but if I keep working on that today, my head is going to explode. I'll take a good night sleep, and start fresh in the morning.

[Ava]

Iggy, I asked the other new hire. He's a young guy just out of school. I am fresh out of school, too, but I am almost 40. He seemed to be kind of cool. Cooler than me for sure. Then he started having questions and getting a little overwhelmed. But he was able to do more than I did.
Nobody was there to answer our questions. The supervisor disappeared, and left the person we are going to replace to help us. But the guy went back to his spot and didn't help much when we went to him with questions.

[swamp]

Every job sucks when you're first learning it. Your just as smart as the other guy and the guy you're replacing. It takes time, but in about 2 months you'll have it down pat.

[Ava]

Thank you, Swamp. I am just freaking out I guess. I talked to my mother on the phone and she said the same thing. Maybe because I had been in my previous job so long (6 years), I feel so stressed and stupid. Like I'm slow or something.
But that's exactly what I have to think; I am as smart as they are and I'll get this under control in a short six or eight weeks.

[Phoenix84]

Ava, you're smart. I know so because they don't give accounting degrees to dummies.

If computers are something you're defficient in you'll need to address it. Like any new skill, it can be scary at first, but computers really aren't that complicated. They have plenty of good books and classes out there on just about everything related to computers. Check out the local library or bookstore. You already managed to go to school and work full time, so learning a bit about computers in your off hours should be no sweat.

[quince]

You'll be fine- being dropped in the deep end sucks, but it will get better. Take a look at what top priority is to figure out, and take it piece by piece. It's easy being overwhelmed by an overabundance of new information, and poorly explained tasks.

Definitely see if you can do some home-study on the commonly available software they're using.

I completely understand feeling dumb even when you know you aren't (and you should know you aren't!) Not knowing how to do things properly when you feel like you should is tough- but if they're as awesome as you think, they don't expect you to hit the ground running and doing cartwheels, and you shouldn't expect it either.

[Cookies Galore]

Aw, Ava! First day jitters affect everyone! It's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed on the first day!

I've been with my company for three years now, but I remember during my first week everyone telling me that the job essentially had a yearlong learning curve. And that is exactly what I tell all the new people now!

[TheOtherMe]

Ava, keep telling yourself that you can do this.

My mother used to tell me that you can't start to judge a new job for at least a month. I don't think I've ever had a new job that I didn't feel overwhelmed by the end of the first day.

If you feel you need more education on computers, there are lots of books and also online courses where you can learn.

I don't know what your job is, but the bank would not have hired you if they didn't think you can use the job.

I have had managers who did to me what has been done to you. I need more direction than that myself.

[Cookies Galore]

Jun 18, 2012 19:49:04 GMT -5 Nazgul Girl said:

Ava, you have time tonight to try to read up on Outlook. I found a tutorial for " using Outlook 2007", which is probably the version your bank is using. Even if it isn't, you will still find many similarities between it and whatever your bank is using. Do a couple of lessons on this tutorial and tomorrow you'll feel much better. When I can't figure out some kind of computer program, I google " how to use -----blank----" and there is some kind of schmoe who had to face it before me, so I profit from his experienc. Besides, if you can use excel already, that is a great start ! See the link below....

office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/up-to-speed-with-outlook-2007-RZ010115400.aspx

I'm pretty good with excel (people at work know to come to me to figure things out), but even I've become a pro at googling "how do I..." questions about excel and other programs. I have a Microsoft Office book, but google allows me to find a solution quicker.

[midjd]

Ava, you will be FINE. I promise. This is YM and everyone's being nice to you - that means you are special.

I would be worried about you if you didn't feel overwhelmed. Think of it this way - if you start a job and know how to do 100% of the tasks on the first day - or even 50% - how much of a challenge will that be after 3-4 years? Challenges are good - they force us to grow. You have dealt with more challenges than many others have, you'll deal with these, no problem.

I know a little bit about Outlook too, if you have any questions and Nazgul isn't available, you can PM me.

I don't think I've ever had a new job that I didn't feel overwhelmed by the end of the first day.

Me neither. In fact, I cried on the way home from my current job - which I LOVE. It is overwhelming to start a new job and have a ton of info thrown at you. I think everyone goes through it at least a little.

[wvugurl26]

Jun 18, 2012 19:38:06 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Aw, Ava! First day jitters affect everyone! It's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed on the first day!

I've been with my company for three years now, but I remember during my first week everyone telling me that the job essentially had a yearlong learning curve. And that is exactly what I tell all the new people now!

My place is like that too. There are just so many program details to learn. My two year anniversary is Wednesday and I finally feel like I have a handle on it and that I'm contributing.

Google is a great suggestion. I'm sure once you figure out logins and stuff like that it'll go smoother.

[taz157]

Jun 18, 2012 19:38:06 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Aw, Ava! First day jitters affect everyone! It's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed on the first day!

Looks like Nasgrl found a great tutorial that you can complete tonight and I 3rd the advice to do a Google search of "How do you complete XXXX" to!

Good luck and faith in yourself. You can do this!

[taz157]

FWIW, I'm a CPA and my 1st job out of college was a small public accounting firm before I received my CPA license. Talk about an over whelming experience, but I survived as you will too! I started in the audit dept and in my 2nd year (my 2nd "busy season"), I felt like I actually knew what I was doing. Now, it's like 2nd nature and it will feel like that for you!

[simser]

I have a PhD in a technical field and Outlook still threw me when I got a job that used it. Take a deep breath and you'll be fine!

[saveinla]

F1 (Help key) is your friend for any new program. A side bar will open if you press F1 in Outlook and you can type in your search criteria and it will take you to the relevant section along with examples. Outlook is one of the easiest email programs there is and it's pretty easy once you work on it for a week.

[Waffle]

I have no doubt that you will get through this. At some point in the not to distant future you will be back here talking about how simple outlook is. Trust me, I remember the dread I felt when our company first switched to outlook and now it seems easy as can be. Other things will be like that too.


ETA: be sure to get a good night's sleep. Things always seem worse if you haven't had enough rest.

[taz157]

Before I worked at my 1st employer, that had used Lotus 1-2-3 for several years before MS Excel was as popular as it is now. My (former) co-worker wasn't listening to her boss (also was my former boss) on how to us Excel as they were getting rid of Lotus 1-2-3 soon. Sure enough, my former boss got rid of Lotus 1-2-3 in the middle of "busy season" one year. Sure enough, she learned Excel on the fly and listened to him when he warned off other program changes.

Like Waffle says, get a good night's sleep too! When I'm tired, things can bother me more than when I'm well rested.

[Deleted]

Don't worry, you will get it. That first day (week) is overwhelming, trying to learn the process and the software simultaneously. As far as the software goes, less smart people than you have learned harder software than whatever it is they have. Give it time, the software will feel less alien and the process will click. When I first started they kept throwing numbers at me that were meaningless to me. It was a week later when I was doing something else, that I realized those were the account #'s and then it actually made sense.

[NastyWoman]

You'll do fine Ava. Get a little notebook and write all/most steps down when you start with any new software. That way things won't be so overwhelming because you are trying to remember everything at the same time.
And remember, you have what it takes to do this: the fact that you persevered and got your degree while working full time proves that. As for your age --- I was 9 years older than you are now when I reentered the job market as a new grad after a very long absence (a totally new field from what I had studied/worked in before).

If you have specific software questions post them here. I am sure that between us there us someone who'll know the answer. We are all rooting for you.

[Deleted]

You will do fine. Deep breaths when you are stressed.
Help key and print for reference when you need it. Sometimes (especially when stressed) I can see better from a printed page than pc screen.
I'm not great on computer still and had little experience when starting a new job.
I would keep saying "I can't do this" My co-worker would say "you are doing it " Tell yourself that if no one else does when you are doing it.
You can do it.
It will get better.

[Ava]

Hi, everyone.
Thanks for all the good wishes my way.
I went to sleep early yesterday. I am now getting ready for my second day. There were some things I could do at home, log in and fill out some of the paperwork I need to complete. But I headed to bed and today my head is clearer. At least I am well rested. Keep plugging at it after such an overwhelming day wasn't a good idea.
Thanks for the link posted about the Outlook tutorial. I just saw it right now. I will go through it tonight when I come back. Last night I felt so overwhelmed that anything having to do with the new job would just make me feel worse.
I'll be heading out the door in an hour, and with all the support I got here, I am a little more confident than I was yesterday.
I'll be thinking about all of you throughout the day.

[happyscooter]

I worked as a temp for many, many years. My assignments lasted for 1 week to 6 months. So I 'started' a lot of new jobs. It was ALWAYS hard on the first day. Each place is different. Computer systems might work the same but how a company wants something done can be totally 180 degrees the other way. Take lots of notes and know that EVERYONE feels the way you do.

Good luck!

[Deleted]

go get 'em, Ava!!!


And our company switched to Outlook last year from Lotus Notes. I LOVE it! I'm one of those "learn by doing" types, and I just set aside some time during my work day to fiddle around with it.

[happyhoix]

Ava I am computer ignorant and every time my company upgrades to a different type of software I feel like I can't make it work for a good few weeks. We just upgraded to the new version of Outlook about a month ago and I hated it at first, because I couldn't figure out how to make it do what I needed it to do. However, I just started clicking around on the tool bar, experimenting, and now, a month later, I actually like it better than the previous Outlook version. Easier to use and more options. However, after a month, I'm still discovering new things I didn't know yet.

Every job has a learning curve. I assume they didn't hire you for your computer expertise, but for your accounting skills. You'll gradually pick up on the computer part - I never had a formal class in any of the computer programs, but I use many of them daily without a problem, and so will you. You'll do fine!

[cronewitch]

I expect a new hire to learn things the first day. Where the bathroom is, when is lunch and maybe when payday is. That is all you can learn in a new job on day one. My job the first day I was introduced to about 30-40 people and shown all the shops. I couldn't remember any of the locations and people except my boss and his boss and the women leaving my job. Then they sent me to a 3 day workshop on the software I had only seen that day for the first time. I happen to be a software expert so my only work the first week was to take all the files I was getting and make directories for them, short cuts and move the files, the women leaving had everything in one directory and didn't know how to do that stuff.

Don't worry if you can help it just wait until the middle of next week and you will know much more and start to feel productive.

[Wisconsin Beth]

You'll be fine Ava. You can do this job. ;D

[andi9899]

You'll be fine. I can honestly say that I think my first day on any job I've had was overwhelming. I know how frustrated you are, but it will be ok. I sell insurance and on my first day in an agency, my boss told me he forgot that he had an all day meeting the next day and that I would have to hold down the fort by myself. Talk about overwhelming! But it turned out ok and I'm a master at it now. Just breathe and take it in at your pace. I'm actually training a new hire with no insurance experience and I'm sure I send her home with plenty of headaches at the end of the day. You aren't going to reach Rock Star status in your first week.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Don't worry about not knowing how to operate the benefits site. Ours switched to doing it thru firefly and it was a huge PITA at first. Fortunately they had tutorials every step of the way so I knew which buttons to push. If they don't have them online you should be able to ask the benefits office and they can walk you thru how to register.

Outlook took me four times to register for when they switched from LotusNotes. It kept rejecting me even though I followed the emailed instructions to the letter. So even with tutorials sometimes you don't get it on the first try.

[Deleted]

Ava -

All new jobs are the pits to start. Give it time; learn people's names learn your way around and get into your new routine. It will be fine.....just give it time!!