Struggling with new job, advice?

picklekin

Hello all,

I started a new job about 2 months ago in a sector almost completely new to me, but one I had started studying in (completed a very low level course and started working on the next). I was thrilled to get the job as I knew experience is key and this was a massive break as I didn't have any! I gave up a full time permanent job for this one even though its a 6 month contract.

One week after I started my boss left, they have got someone in to cover but they don't know the job yet either. The woman who was doing my job also left to go to another department, her new boss does not want her spending time in her old place to teach me stuff. There is one lady here who knows more what to do than me, but I can sense by now she is fed up with me asking questions all the time (she has her own stuff to do and is NOT my manager nor is she paid to be, so I do sympathise with her lack of patience!).

My real issue is I'm not really sure what I'm meant to be doing half the time, and end up reading the internet and piffling about trying to look busy, the jobs I know I have to do I do, but they don't take long enough. I have tried seeing if there is anything else I should be doing but often feel I get snapped at..

The stress is getting really bad, I burst into tears leaving the house today and had to shuttle back in and clean myself up. I think its doubly bad as because its a 6 month contract I feel like I'm on trial...

Should I keep my head down and look busy or keep trying to find more work to do? How can I make this other lady not so annoyed with me?

patman99

Just do what you are capable of doing & leave what you can't to the lady who can.
Once a permanent manager is in place, make sure to arrange a meeting with him/her with regards to a review of your on-going training needs.