What to Do if You’re Struggling At Your Job
Starting at a new company takes time.
However, if what should you do if you’re struggling at a job that you’ve been employed at for some time now?
Nearly everyone takes time to adjust to a new company, position, or career.
It’s a normal cycle that your manager understands.
Most companies, though not all, have so-called probationary periods where a new hire is allowed to adjust to the demands of the role.
Though not universal, probationary periods are typically useful in allowing new hires the needed time to adjust and acquaint themselves to a new position or company.
With any new role or career, there is definitely a learning curve.
Time and motivation are needed to adjust to the role and the responsibilities that accompany it.
Although not an exact rule, most companies believe that it takes approximately ninety days for a new hire to become acclimated to a new role and their responsibilities.
Though you won’t be expected to be an expert in your new role within ninety days, this time period gives you ample room to learn the ins-and-outs of the company and how their internal mechanics function.
Each company is different, with different tools, resources, and support structures.
Within the ninety-day probationary period, you should make every effort possible to “throw yourself into” the work and processes.
Asking questions is a crucial step in acclimating to a new working environment.
You may be unsure of certain processes and procedures.
It is in your best interest to ask and verify beforehand.
Though you may have been an expert at a previous company, you will want to ensure that the procedures are similar at your new role.
Getting to a comfortable and expert level at any new job is invariably going to take time and effort from your end.
If you are employed at a company that offers additional support for new hires, I would recommend taking advantage of every available resource.
However, it is completely normal and natural to feel that you are struggling at your job even after the probationary period.
Many times, such feelings can be characterized as a feeling of inadequacy, despite evidence to the contrary.
This is often labeled as imposter syndrome and is a feeling that most working professionals have at some point in their careers.
If you continue to feel that you’re struggling at your job, and evidence points to the same, you can take the following advice to help you gain the momentum you need to succeed.
Before we jump into the advice, we should really make sure that your feelings are accurate.
If you answer yes to any of the below statements, then it would be best to continue reading for advice on how to turn things around.
You’re Missing Deadlines
One of the easiest ways to see if you’re struggling at a new role is by your ability to meet deadlines.
If you are consistently missing or delaying deadlines, then you could be signaling to your manager that you’re unable to handle the workload assigned to you.
You Feel That There Aren’t Enough Hours In The Day
If you’re taking work home regularly and still not able to keep up with the workload, then you may be in a position that you’re ill-suited for.
Though a large workload could be indicative of a systematic issue within the company, only you will be able to make that determination.
You’re Hurting Your Team
When your work is completed incorrectly or you’re not hitting your sales goals, you are directly affecting the performance and advancement of your team.
Take a close look at what you’ve completed and determine whether or not your worked required a colleague to go back and revise to be acceptable.
What to Do to Turn Things Around?
In-order to turn things around you need to address the root issues head-on.
You need to be honest with yourself and make a concerted effort to gain positive momentum.
Doing so will give you the best chance at succeeding and advancing in your career.
Speak to Your Manager
Though it may seem counterintuitive, speaking to your manager honestly will allow them to provide you with the needed resources to gain positive momentum.
Your manager may already see that you’ve been struggling.
By bringing it up to them in an honest manner, you open the conversation to how they can assist you.
When speaking with your manager, be honest and let them know where your weaknesses are.
Ask them for assistance and tools to succeed.
In addition, reassure your manager that you’re aware of your current weaknesses but are actively working towards a fix.
Find A Mentor
One of the best ways to turn the momentum and change your current trajectory is to find a reliable, honest mentor.
Ideally, this mentor should be within the same or a similar department as you.
They should be familiar and aware of the roles-and-responsibilities that you are in charge of so that they can assist you with routine, daily tasks.
Sign-Up For Additional Classes or Certifications
Whether your company has resources that align with your work responsibilities or not, you should sign-up for additional classes or certifications that can help you understand the nuances of your job.
Sometimes it’s good to take things back-to-basics and ensure your fundamentals are airtight.
Mimic Successful People Around You
Especially in a sales-role, you should step back and study what your most successful colleagues are doing.
Is there anything different that they do that you can copy or mimic?
Ask For Training
Whether you ask your manager or a helpful and knowledgeable colleague, you should request additional time for training.
Give exact and specific scenarios which you are having difficulty with and ask that the training is centered on those scenarios.
Conclusion
It’s best to step back and remind yourself why you were hired from the get-go.
Clearly the company and the hiring manager saw something in you.
Take everything back to basics and ensure that you fully understand the fundamentals of your role.
Your coworkers should be used as a resource.
Don’t feel shy or intimidated to ask them for additional help or training.
One day, you’ll have the opportunity to pay it forward.
Whatever you do, don’t just ignore it!
Ignoring it won’t make the issues go away and may only compound the problem.
Face it head-on the moment you feel your momentum declining and you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
