I need to make a BIG impression at work and quickly!!!

[sssg4]

Hi, I started my job in September and whilst I was in a similar role for a year previously, I have a lot more responsibility in this role and the job is a lot more demanding. My 3 month probationary period was extended to 6 months as I had not demonstrated my ability to do the role to the standard that they wished. I passed the 6 month probationary period and all has been well. I have been trying my hardest to do the job with minimal guidance. However, I have recently been pulled up on a piece of work that I did, told that I am the least proactive person they have ever met and that I should have come further in the time that I have been there. In sum, I need to prove my worth. I have a meeting with my line manager and MD in a month to see how they view my performance. I have tried my hardest in this role but it does not appear to be enough. What can I do to be exemplary job? I need a lot of advice and soon as I can not lose my job! Thank you in advance

[CheekyChops]

it would help if you told us what your role is :-)

[sssg4]

I work in research (research executive)...project management, writing reports etc. sorry, was trying to keep it as simple as possible and thought I could perhaps get away without revealing too much information ;-)

[Surreylass]

come in 30 mins before your shift and leave 30 mins after the shift ends at the minimum. dont be a 9am - 5pm person.

put your head down basically

[Katy May]

You could try speaking to your line manager and explaining what you are finding difficult about the role. Don't just wait for he/she to tell you what to do but go into the meeting with solutions -eg i am struggling to do X, Y, Z, perhaps I could job shadow you/have a colleague as a mentor etc. When confronted with a piece of work try and look a little wider, think about the impact that the work might have on other issues, other people, what might be the outcomes etc and maybe start considering those issues alongside.

I've been in a similar situation and now have a post- it on my desk reminding me to think of the imact on related issues, horizon scan (think about what's coming up in the future). Don't be afraid to ask for help but don't be passive about it, take ideas of your own. Expecting you to do the work without help is a fault of your managers - not yours!

Finally, are there colleagues you could ask for help? Maybe someone who does a similar job and does it well. You could see how they cope with the work and try and learn from them.

Good luck, it's a depressing situation to be in but it can be turned around.

[WoWo]

I think you need to be proactive. I had a slightly different situation but with a similar outcome, I was up for promotion but my boss left and when the new one came in I was left on the side lines.

I did 2 things firstly I asked him outright what it was I had to do to get promotion and then I did it. With in a few months I gained the promotion (and then fot a further one about 2 months after that) and even now (we both work at different places) he hoilds me up as the example of the perfect worker.

The secret was keeping him in the loop and making him feel involved in the process, where before I would just do something if asked I would now do it and tell him I had done it. You boss needs to be the number 1 priority if he want's something doing do that straight away.

However here comes that bad news.... it's difficult to turn round a bad performance, mud unfortunately sticks so you need to be really focused.

You don't have to put in extra hours as there is no point, all that will happen is you will be seen as somebody who is here longer than anybody else and still gets nothing done.

[trip67]

look for another job, think the writing's on the wall there mate. Is any job worth the stress you mst be under?