Not performing in your first job might be one of the most frustrating situations that you will face in your career.
You are unsure about what you are supposed to do and you may feel it is bothersome for colleagues to ask them for advice or help.
Once your boss starts to notice how badly you are doing your job, it could be the end of the story.
So, what should you do when you are failing at your job? Here is how to deal with being unable to cope with a new position.
Reach out to your colleagues for support
If you are having problems with your work, do not be shy about asking colleagues for help. Introduce yourself and ask for advice.
Try observing what your co-workers are doing to get an idea of how they work and how the team is run.
If you manage to find a person who is really keen to help you out, talk about all the difficulties you cannot solve on your own.
That person could share some personal knowledge and experience that can help you catch up faster.
Do not make excuses
Own up to your failures and take responsibility.
It will show that, despite your underwhelming performance, you are honest and willing to learn from your mistakes. This is an important lesson, especially in your first job.
The best way to stop making excuses is to proactively make the choice not to. At the end of each day at work, take a moment to reflect on your performance.
Make a mental note of not making excuses and figuring out how to solve the challenges in the future.
Get yourself a work partner to push you
Apart from looking for co-workers who can support you, surround yourself with people who will call you out for your lack of ability.
An encouraging work partner can help you achieve your goals and motivate you. Invest more time with your partner to strengthen the relationship with open communication.
If they truly want to support you, they will be more than willing to help you out.
Most of all, support goes both ways. You will need to be there for your partner as well when they need your support.
Seeing things from a different perspective
Not being able to perform at work does not mean your first job is a total loss. Instead of blaming yourself for the failures and your poor performance, ask your boss for feedback.
Bear in mind that even if you have armed yourself with knowledge and the right skill set, the company’s work style may be completely different from what you expected it to be. It takes time to adapt to a new culture.
Instead of berating yourself about how badly you did, come up with a timeline to accomplish your desired objectives and breakthroughs.
This article first appeared in jobstore.com
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