I just started a new job and I've got no idea how to do it...

[BigToque]

I'm a vocational consultant and my job is to help get people back into the workforce after they've lost their jobs due to injury/illness, etc.

The people that come to see me are sent by their insurance companies and the hope is that we can get them doing something that in the long run will cost less than paying disability benefits until the people are 65.

I was sent for a week of "training" that was terribly organized and three weeks into this job I realize taught me nothing of value related to the work I do.

Basically my job is meeting with people and then generating reports for the company that contacted us.

I'm the only person in the office (besides my secretary) and my boss is in another province.

My boss offers no help or advice so I feel like I've just been thrown into the fire and I've already started to get in trouble because I'm not billing properly or enough (meanwhile she told me during my interview that it'll take at least 6 months to figure billing out).

I've just been sitting at my desk all day doing absolutely nothing, not knowing how to do my job.

I feel like hiding.

I wish I had a different job.

Anyone else ever been in a similar position?

 

[pontifex]

didn't you just post about this the other day?

 

[Platypus]

why did you take a job you had no idea how to do?

 

[BigToque]

Originally posted by: pontifex
didn't you just post about this the other day?

Well, this is a somewhat unrelated topic

Originally posted by: Platypus
why did you take a job you had no idea how to do?

Job > No Job

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: BigToque

Originally posted by: pontifex
didn't you just post about this the other day?

Well, this is a somewhat unrelated topic

Originally posted by: Platypus
why did you take a job you had no idea how to do?

Job > No Job

Yet you're complaining about it?

Why don't you spend the time at your desk that you're not doing anything to learn a skill that could get you a better job then?

 

[JS80]

How many people had your position before you got there?

 

[dud]

Welcome to the real world. I wonder how many of us REALLY know what the #$%^ we are doing anyway ...

 

[GT1999]

Originally posted by: dud
Welcome to the real world. I wonder how many of us REALLY know what the #$%^ we are doing anyway ...

They sure don't put them into management, that's for sure.

 

[MaxDepth]

Canada, eh? Hmm...do you have a social network at the office? I was thinking not only in person, but through instant messenger? You might be able to ask the right questions from your peers at other offices.


Anecdotally, have you noticed whether or not the people you see really want to work or not? A friend of mine used to work in Worker's comp here in NC (lasted about two years). She quit because she had a better job offer and because she felt she wasn't making any difference because an overwhelming number of applicants were looking for a free ride and didn't want to work anymore.


EDIT: jeebus, aren't you guys a bit harsh? I don't think he is complaining about the job but more like he feels ill prepared to meet the demands.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: Geekish Thoughts

Originally posted by: dud
Welcome to the real world. I wonder how many of us REALLY know what the #$%^ we are doing anyway ...

They sure don't put them into management, that's for sure.

Maybe not where you work. We've got a boatload of them at my place.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Ask yourself what you should have before taking the job. Are you there just for a paycheck? If so, enjoy your 'nefvana' for as long as it lasts. If you have a shred of self pride, educate yourself in your job by putting yourself in your clients shoes and find the answers they are seeking. Man up and do the right thing.

 

[OrByte]

first off, dont worry OP...you are not the first and you certainly will not be the last to go through what it is you are experiencing.

Second, it sounds like you FEEL as though you have nothing to do at the office but you aren't using your time wisely. If you don't know your processes and procedures you should be proactive in learning. You will learn that sometimes if you wait around for someone else to train you or show you how to do your job then you could be waiting for a looong time, that is just how the workplace is.

I am sure that it is a job you can learn to do. Ultimately it is up to you to figure out whether or not it is worth the time and energy.

 

[Gibson486]

welcome to my first coop...actually...no...all my coops

 

[Baked]

Fail... at least you didn't put the country into elenventy zillion debt before the end of your 2 terms, like that Taiwan president. What a totally corrupted douche bag.

 

[sdifox]

lol, 90% of people on here don't have a clue what they are supposed to do. Google is the only thing keeping this economy going.

 

[jonks]

Fake it. The president has for 8 years now.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: BigToque
I've got no idea how to do it...

Wrong forum?

 

[Scarpozzi]

I used to work for a non-profit org that did this.

Basically, just interview the folks in the program and try to figure out what skills they have to offer and keep in touch with the local industries so you can help place them.

See if you can setup training seminars for them and teach them basic computer skills or help them with high school equivalency tests....that should be all there is to it.

You just have to setup a process for those coming in and those going out of the program.

 

[Mr Pickles]

Was it finally after the whole week of training that you realized you were learning nothing of value or was it about half way through that you thought "hey, maybe I'd better ask a few more questions so I don't start off on the wrong foot"? I'm guessing choice #1 would be the most logical answer.

You know... i'm in Tampa (that's not even a Province!) and I can still find a place where you are complaining about not knowing what to do. Do some looking on that desk of yours. If you find something that resembles a telephone, tell me if this gets too technical, you can use the device to contact your boss; regardless of the fact that s\he is in the a different Province. I'd start off with being honest... maybe give it one of these: "Ok, I'm going to be honest.." and the follow up with "I need some direction here. Training didn't give me all I needed and I was hoping for some input."

I hate seeing posts like this from Lifers. Completely disenchants the fantasy of being awesome.

 

[Rock Hydra]

Wait....being a lifer makes you awesome? YES!!!

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: Geekish Thoughts

Originally posted by: dud
Welcome to the real world. I wonder how many of us REALLY know what the #$%^ we are doing anyway ...

They sure don't put them into management, that's for sure.

Maybe not where you work. We've got a boatload of them at my place.

I concur. Most jobs that I have had in the past do not consist of the majority of management having a clue of what they really should be doing. At best, you got a few people carrying all of the weight or the company is so big that it already makes too much money to care.


OP, there is nothing you can do in your shoes except try your best and spend some of your "doing nothing" time each day checking for job postings and hopefully finding a better job which provides you with more security since you know what you are doing and generally makes you happier. It sounds as if whoever hired you was hoping to just grab someone and stick them in chair assuming they already know what to do.