muttleynfelix
Junior Associate
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jun 19, 2012 10:22:36 GMT -5
New jobs are scary at first. My first job out of college I ended up not taking a lunch break the first day because I figured something would be said about lunch time and I was scared to be the person to say it. It turned out that everyone else in the office just brought their lunch and worked at their desk while they ate! The next day I brought my lunch. It takes a while to get use to the way things are done. Hang in there. It gets easier.
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kindthatjingles
Familiar Member
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Post by kindthatjingles on Jun 19, 2012 13:56:37 GMT -5
Karma to you. You had enough guts to try something new. You will be just fine. Head up!
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Ava
Senior Member
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Post by Ava on Jun 19, 2012 17:48:42 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. I'm finally back home after my second day. And yes, it took lots of courage to change jobs, at my age and being on my own. I can say that today was better than yesterday. I am still afraid of many things, but I felt more relaxed and I think people noticed. I could even smile There are many things I like about the workplace; they are very laid back, and you work independently. It's just that learning is a little tough. Today the other new hire and I got some things done. We are doing training in the computer. Got some training modules out of the way, with some more to go. Got my parking pass, and I already know where to park. Believe it or not, that relieves stress for me. Every little thing I know how to do takes some stress off me. But I seriously think considering my circumstances, that this is the last employer change I make. It was horrible for me. I plan to go for my Master's Degree next year, and my CPA, but hopefully I will be able to stay with this bank, just advancing there. I don't want to change employers ever again. I thought about you guys during the day, and I could feel the support and the good vibes. Thank you so much for everything.
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Deleted
Joined: Apr 26, 2024 4:31:37 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2012 18:00:55 GMT -5
I am so happy that you are feeling better today Ava! K for you!
And try not to think too much about the future right now, just get yourself settled in!
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movingforward
Junior Associate
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Post by movingforward on Jun 19, 2012 18:05:40 GMT -5
Ava - glad you had a better day and don't worry tomorrow will be even better. There is always a learning curve at every job. Pretty soon you will be "in a groove" and it won't be scary at all. Congratulations.
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taz157
Senior Associate
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Post by taz157 on Jun 19, 2012 21:05:10 GMT -5
I am so happy that you are feeling better today Ava! K for you! And try not to think too much about the future right now, just get yourself settled in! Ava - glad you had a better day and don't worry tomorrow will be even better. There is always a learning curve at every job. Pretty soon you will be "in a groove" and it won't be scary at all. Congratulations. to both!
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Malarky
Junior Associate
Truth and snark are equal opportunity here.
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Post by Malarky on Jun 19, 2012 21:23:21 GMT -5
You got this.
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swamp
Community Leader
Don't be a fool. Call me!
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Post by swamp on Jun 20, 2012 7:43:01 GMT -5
I have an urge to come smack you upside the head. You're not stupid, you're ambitious, but you're seriously limiting yourself with your negativity and fear of change. Don't ever tell anyone at the bank this, because that is giving them free rein to treat you like crap. They know you won't leave, so why give you raises or promote you?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2012 7:54:30 GMT -5
I have an urge to come smack you upside the head. You're not stupid, you're ambitious, but you're seriously limiting yourself with your negativity and fear of change. Don't ever tell anyone at the bank this, because that is giving them free rein to treat you like crap. They know you won't leave, so why give you raises or promote you? Once they see you as a "lifer", they really stop seeing you altogether.
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taz157
Senior Associate
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Post by taz157 on Jun 20, 2012 8:19:22 GMT -5
I have an urge to come smack you upside the head. You're not stupid, you're ambitious, but you're seriously limiting yourself with your negativity and fear of change. Don't ever tell anyone at the bank this, because that is giving them free rein to treat you like crap. They know you won't leave, so why give you raises or promote you?
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Deleted
Joined: Apr 26, 2024 4:31:37 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2012 10:43:12 GMT -5
I have an urge to come smack you upside the head. You're not stupid, you're ambitious, but you're seriously limiting yourself with your negativity and fear of change. Don't ever tell anyone at the bank this, because that is giving them free rein to treat you like crap. They know you won't leave, so why give you raises or promote you? First, I'm glad to hear your second day went better. And remember that if you have questions that you think are "stupid questions", the earlier you ask, the better. What if you still haven't figured it out 6 months down the road and have to ask then? It also helps if you phrase your question with a possible solution or things you've already tried that didn't work. That way they know you're using your brain before you borrow theirs. But swamp is right. Fear will hold you back. Right now I see a natural end to the work I'm doing in my current job and I'm pretty sure if I don't find something else they'll put me out on the street by the end of the year. I'm not panicked- I'd get 20 weeks of severance- but so far I've applied for one internal move where I was narrowly edged out by another candidate, have applied for 2 more, and had a VERY positive interview with a local company that will surprise the heck out of my current employer if they make me an offer and I leave the company. And I'm 59. The days when a company would keep you on forever, offering you promotions and internal moves without your seeking them out, are gone. Sad but true. You need to take charge of your own career.
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movingforward
Junior Associate
Joined: Sept 15, 2011 12:48:31 GMT -5
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Post by movingforward on Jun 20, 2012 10:56:35 GMT -5
"The days when a company would keep you on forever, offering you promotions and internal moves without your seeking them out, are gone. Sad but true. You need to take charge of your own career." So true
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Ava
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 30, 2011 12:23:55 GMT -5
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Post by Ava on Jun 20, 2012 18:01:47 GMT -5
OK, guys. I got the message No, I wasn't going to say out loud I don't want to change employers again. I tend to keep my thoughts to myself. But thinking about it, maybe you guys have a point. At the cafeteria they took me for granted, the manager was becoming too demanding, and they kind of implied I wouldn't be able to find a new job. I had been with them for six years, and they thought I would stay the course with no promotions, no raises except what the union could negotiate. The manager and the bookkeeper (who always assumed I wanted her job) were very surprised when I said I was leaving. Athena, congratulations. You are a lady with the needed energy and desire to succeed. And for the record, today was my third day and I survived. Again. Now the other new hire and me are going through the online virtual university training. It will keep us busy till the end of the week. I assume next week they'll start the real training.
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Gardening Grandma
Senior Associate
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Jun 20, 2012 19:27:15 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. I'm finally back home after my second day. And yes, it took lots of courage to change jobs, at my age and being on my own. I can say that today was better than yesterday. I am still afraid of many things, but I felt more relaxed and I think people noticed. I could even smile There are many things I like about the workplace; they are very laid back, and you work independently. It's just that learning is a little tough. Today the other new hire and I got some things done. We are doing training in the computer. Got some training modules out of the way, with some more to go. Got my parking pass, and I already know where to park. Believe it or not, that relieves stress for me. Every little thing I know how to do takes some stress off me. But I seriously think considering my circumstances, that this is the last employer change I make. It was horrible for me. I plan to go for my Master's Degree next year, and my CPA, but hopefully I will be able to stay with this bank, just advancing there. I don't want to change employers ever again. I thought about you guys during the day, and I could feel the support and the good vibes. Thank you so much for everything. Every day is going to be a little bit easier than the previous. Have a glass of wine. You've earned it.
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Ava
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 30, 2011 12:23:55 GMT -5
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Post by Ava on Jun 20, 2012 21:03:23 GMT -5
Thanks for the idea, Gardening Grandma, but I can't. I am a teetotaler .
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 20, 2012 21:34:55 GMT -5
Then have some iced tea or whatever your favorite drink is. Sounds like you are progressing and that is all you or the bank can expect. Please don't sell yourself short and say you will never go work for a different employer. You are ambitious and there is nothing wrong with that. Just don't start the MBA program this week.
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taz157
Senior Associate
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Post by taz157 on Jun 20, 2012 21:37:28 GMT -5
Then have some iced tea or whatever your favorite drink is. Sounds like you are progressing and that is all you or the bank can expect. Please don't sell yourself short and say you will never go work for a different employer. You are ambitious and there is nothing wrong with that. Just don't start the MBA program this week. Edited to fix mispelling.
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resolution
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Post by resolution on Jun 20, 2012 22:35:12 GMT -5
Ava, I am glad to hear you are getting more comfortable. I am always a bit nervous when I start something new, but experiencing new things is part of what keeps our minds flexible and alert. I expect in six months you will look back and realize what a good experience the change was for you.
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Deleted
Joined: Apr 26, 2024 4:31:37 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2012 8:53:55 GMT -5
Ava, a couple more thoughts. First, there's a lot of mental energy expended in finding your way around a new place. Even when visiting other offices of my company, I always found it a chore to find out where the Ladies' Room was, where the copier was (and how to use it!), what places are in the vicinity for errands at lunch, etc. Everybody else knows this stuff and you don't- and most of the faces are strangers. Everyone goes through this- some just put on a better front when they're feeling confused.
I'd suggest you find a copy of "Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office: 101 Things Women do to Sabotage Their Careers". It's a great book- easy reading, but really important points. You strike me as someone who's got the smarts and the drive, but are lacking confidence. People smell that a mile away and, as you learned at your previous job, they'll take advantage of it. Good for you for getting out of there!
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Ava
Senior Member
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Post by Ava on Jun 21, 2012 18:15:39 GMT -5
Thanks for the recommended read, athena. I probably can use it. I'll check out my library to see if they have it, or maybe buy it in Amazon. I am probably their targeted audience. Today was my fourth day at work, and I am starting to feel a tiny bit of confidence that things will work out. There was a moment of panic because I am going through the modules of the online university, and I failed one of them. You need to get 80% of the test right to pass, and I only got 67%. Then I took a deep breath and kept going forward. I'll worry about the failed module once I finish all of them. And yes, dealing with a new place, new coworkers, etc. is difficult. Some people who've been there for a while look at you weird when you ask them where you can get your parking ticket validated.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Jun 21, 2012 19:55:32 GMT -5
Then have some iced tea or whatever your favorite drink is. Sounds like you are progressing and that is all you or the bank can expect. Please don't sell yourself short and say you will never go work for a different employer. You are ambitious and there is nothing wrong with that. Just don't start the MBA program this week. Exactly. Some tea or oreos and milk. Whatever you find soothing. There was a time in my life that the magic combo was Dr Pepper and Wheat Thins..... ;D
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 21, 2012 22:17:56 GMT -5
Ava, you CAN do the online modules. Believe in yourself.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 30, 2012 18:53:04 GMT -5
How is the job going, Ava?
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Ava
Senior Member
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Post by Ava on Jun 30, 2012 19:06:13 GMT -5
TheOtherMe; thank you for asking It's going better, I guess. I am getting familiar with the place, co-workers, supervisor. I still have a ton of training to do. Hopefully it goes well. My spirits are up because I heard back from another place I had applied to when I was looking for work. It's a job for the town I live in, with good pay and good benefits. They sent a letter with time and place for the exam for the position. I had applied three months ago and never received anything, but I know that government entities move at their own place. I am going to sit for that exam. No guarantees I'll pass, but at least I feel there are other options out there and the job at the bank is a good thing, but if it doesn't pan out, I'll find something else. My life doesn't depend on this job. I am learning, doing my best. I am now more confident things will turn out all right. The first week was horrible for me, though.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 30, 2012 21:47:33 GMT -5
I would use the word "horrible" to describe the first week at every job I've ever started.
Good luck.
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