| Topic Name: |
All I want is a thank you... |
| Message Name: |
been there!!!! |
| Date Posted: |
03/27/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
I just started a new job. But with the way the economy is, I'm walking on eggshells, thinking that if I mess up, I'm out the door with nary a bat of the eye.
I'm basically an assistant to a hyper-powered entertainment executive who rarely says a kind word, barely a thank you. I can't gage the quality of my work because all I get are criticisms. There's virtually no training program here so I'm forced to learn everything the hard way, as everybody is too busy to lend a hand. Inevitably, I mess up, and I'm super hard on myself whenever this happens.
I have a steely work ethic. I'm serious. Educated. Easy to get along with. I've put in 36 hours in three days, taking only smoke breaks and no lunches. I'm the first one in the office, and the last to leave.
I just feel like without the positive reinforcement I'm going to be constantly paranoid about losing my new job. I've asked my boss if there are areas I could improve in, and he was noncommital in the conversation and vague. So I'm definitely making an effort.
I love the people I work with and am excited about the industry I'm in. I'm just trying to figure out if there's anything I can do about the situation or if I should brush all this off as simply having to pay my dues. Help!
|
| Message: |
NYCDame,
Listen, I have been where you are now and I handled the situation completely wrong. As a new graduate, I landed a great position as an AA in a major PR firm in NYC working on major accounts. My team was super cliquey and my immediate supervisor was a nightmare. I allowed her to intimidate me to the point that I was second-guessing my own knowledge and afraid to take chances because I didn't want to risk doing something wrong and giving her ammunition. As a result, the VP on my accounts thought that I didn't care and didn't have the necessary ambition or drive, which was completely untrue. I passed up a lot of opportunities to show them, and myself, that I was really good at what I was doing and deserved greater responsibilities. I felt so frightened and unsure, that I didn't know how to speak up for myself when the time came and I eventually left the company. I really regret it b/c the company was great and had an awesome environment.
To you I say, make a formal appointment with your supervisor and come prepared with examples of the effort you've put forth and some of the opportunities that you'd like for greater responsibility. You need to make this person understand your need for feedback and why it matters to your work/production. Another thing you can do is find someone who knows the ropes, but is your supervisor's junior, to serve as a mentor and a guide. This person can act as a cheerleader and a critic. Most importantly, if you like the work and you're happy with the company, stand firm and don't doubt your talent or ability. If you were incapable of completing the tasks, they would have hired someone else. I didn't believe in that statement until it was too late.
|
|
