Need advice on how to fix bad impression at work

Dear Summer

Golden Member
Sep 30, 2008
1,015
1
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Just work hard and go above and beyond. He'll eventually recognize the effort your making.

Yeah, but the problem is that I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be working on or doing if they don't give me any assignments. Like I mentioned, I ask the manager if he needs help with anything but he kind of blows me off so I try to not bother him as much.
 

LiuKangBakinPie

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2011
3,903
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you work till its time to go home. Your there to make your bread and butter not a popularity contest
 

MayorOfAmerica

Senior member
Apr 29, 2011
470
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Take some initiative if possible and figure out what your next set of tasks are without constantly letting him know you have nothing to do. I realize not all jobs allow for this, but nothing makes a worse impression than doing nothing. Get together with a senior coworker, and ask them.
 

Stuxnet

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2005
8,392
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Working for (and with) people like that can be one of the largest sources of stress at work. The best thing you can do for yourself - which took me years to figure out - is to come to accept that some people are just unhappy people and there's little you can do to influence it. Don't kill yourself trying to please him or live up to crazy expectations. All you can do is do your job to the best of your ability (while maintaining an appropriate work/life balance), be pleasant to be around, and live your life. If he doesn't warm up to you under those circumstances, that's his problem and there's nothing you can (or should) do to change that.

Managers like that usually don't last long, and even when they do, they earn a reputation of being difficult; what they say and do tends to be taken with a grain of salt.
 

richardycc

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2001
5,719
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Yeah, but the problem is that I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be working on or doing if they don't give me any assignments. Like I mentioned, I ask the manager if he needs help with anything but he kind of blows me off so I try to not bother him as much.

unless you are hired to be his assistant, you don't ask your boss if he needs help to do his job. That's like telling him "you are so incompetent, can I do your job for you?"
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,125
780
126
Show up on time (not late)
Don't call in sick
Take breaks on time (if it's 15, don't take 20)
Complete assigned work (double and triple check it, no sloppy work)
Get along well with others
Don't brown nose boss but be respectful
Leave on time (don't leave early)
Use your own time to improve work skills

Eventually, you'll get back on track
 

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
198
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I've heard from others that his patience is very short and he did blow up on former colleagues in the past.

In other words he is a bully.

His personality does intimidate me so I'm not sure how to best approach this and gain his trust/respect.

Screw him, it sounds like you are trying to suck up to a real Ahole. That is probably why he acts like he does, because he intimidates the people around him.

Do your job the best of your ability, do worry about your Ahole/bully boss and go home at the end of the day.

If the job is that bad, start looking for another one.

A job might ask you to do a lot of things, but sacrificing your morals and values is not one of them. You are not there to be anyones emotion punching bag, and you should not be treated as such.

~edit~

I have been on jobs where I almost got in a fist fight with bully bosses, and its not worth it. Some people never mature past high school. They think that since they were able to bully people in high school, that is the way life is supposed to be - screw them.

Sometimes you have to say "its not worth it", and move on.
 
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chusteczka

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2006
3,399
3
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From a manager's point of view, it is understandable that a new hire may be confused and will take some time to learn the processes. What matters is your attitude toward the situation. If you put yourself down, others will put you down too. If you feel confident in your learning ability, others will also feel confident in your ability.

To gain your personal confidence, you need to do everything possible to feel confident that you are learning at an appropriate speed. Work hard, focus, get proper sleep at night, and put your personal issues aside. Then get the job done.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,664
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i've had 2 "real world" jobs so far in my career, and both of them i didn't really do jack shit for the first month or two.

also you have to remember that if they were to hire you and simply fire you 3 months later, it is a HUGE waste of time/money on them too, probably more of a waste to them than you. companies don't want to do that, and they hired you, so they think you are a good fit for the job.

so as long as you are doing what you are told to do and getting the work done, i wouldn't worry about anything.
 

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
2
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That sucks dude. In my first job, they never let me make mistakes. And when I did make mistakes, it was the end of the world. This job was a wreck from the first day. In fact, on my first day, I thought they said work started at 9....nope it started at 8. Bad first impression that my boss never got over.

Then about a year later, we got a new PM. He took me on some projects and we just clicked. He eventually assumed the role as my mentor and had a one one one meeting with me. I was literally on deck to be fired, but the new PM said not to do it because they were utilizing me wrong. Well, it worked out well and I was busy for most of the year. Then, one day, he brought me into his office and kind of hinted that now may be a good time to look for a new job because he felt I would be better as a "real EE who dealt with design work" and that the consulting business is not for everyone. I kind of ignored it because I liked working with him. A month later, he left the group mysteriously. 4 months later, I was laid off.
 
Nov 7, 2000
16,403
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be more confident, capable, assertive and do a better job

all of those things will help improve peoples impression of you. if you are looking for some other shortcut to earning people's respect, it will end badly for you.
 

GotIssues

Golden Member
Jan 31, 2003
1,631
0
76
Slash his tires, then when he realizes what has happened, jump out and yell "Gotcha!" You'll both have a hearty laugh and he'll take you out for some beers. Works every time.
 

Saint Nick

Lifer
Jan 21, 2005
17,722
6
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I am sort of in this situation at my job. I was hired part-time earlier this year, but didn't move to full-time until a few weeks ago.

My boss spends lots of time in meetings and coordinating different projects. I used to think I wasn't living up to my expectations, but, I just try to deliver the best thing I can and on time. If no one talks to me to get help with anything, or he doesn't contact me, then I guess I'll hang out and try to teach myself a new skill or something.
 

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
198
106
Slash his tires, then when he realizes what has happened, jump out and yell "Gotcha!" You'll both have a hearty laugh and he'll take you out for some beers. Works every time.

Buy the supervisor a year subscription to some gay porn magazine, and have the magazine mailed to the work address.

Be sure to pay for the subscription in a way that is not traceable, like a money order, or just send cash for the payment.

Request some free HIV information, and have the packets mailed to the bosses work address.
 

GotIssues

Golden Member
Jan 31, 2003
1,631
0
76
Buy the supervisor a year subscription to some gay porn magazine, and have the magazine mailed to the work address.

Be sure to pay for the subscription in a way that is not traceable, like a money order, or just send cash for the payment.

Request some free HIV information, and have the packets mailed to the bosses work address.

It works much better if you have it sent to his neighbor.

1) It's easier to change jobs than move
2) Their neighbors will either have to walk over to his house, hand it to him directly saying "I got this, it's for you. Please have them update the address" or continue to receive said subscription.
 

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
198
106
It works much better if you have it sent to his neighbor.

1) It's easier to change jobs than move
2) Their neighbors will either have to walk over to his house, hand it to him directly saying "I got this, it's for you. Please have them update the address" or continue to receive said subscription.

That is a good idea, thank you. Maybe the OP is paying attention and getting some ideas.

After the gay magazine, its essential to follow up with some HIV information.
 

SZLiao214

Diamond Member
Sep 9, 2003
3,270
2
81
Don't think the guy is a bully. A bully is more of a person who attacks you when you have done nothing wrong.

I think your best bet is just try to work as hard as you can to do well.

From your post in the past few years it really doesn't seem like you have a lot of self confidence. You are over thinking the situation at work. Just do better.
 

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
18,811
198
106
Don't think the guy is a bully. A bully is more of a person who attacks you when you have done nothing wrong.

????

There are various types of bullies out there, so they should not be classified into a single group.

When I came across this article, I thought about this thread.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellne...iolence-adults/story?id=13774706#.Tu9C_VbnupQ

People who bullied kids in school are likely to continue their behavior into adulthood - or at least that is what a new study says.

My personal opinion on the issue, some people never mature past jr. high or high school. The behavior they used in high school, is the same behavior they use their the rest of their lives.