I like working but...? (tips, application, owner, employer)

[GypsySoul22]

I'm temping (I've written about this in another post). I am happy to have a job even if it is temp. It's great to get out of the house and make money and TALK to people who see me more than "someone's mom or wife."

However, I still feel like a noobie after 2 weeks. I am totally lost half the time the woman leaving is training me. The main person I have to report to keeps saying 'you know how to do this or that, right?' when he stops in. I try to smile and follow along but I am really confused by all the processes. I also feel I am very, very underpaid for what I am expected to do. (I am working via an agency).

The woman training me says it took her MONTHS to understand her job. I feel like I am going to flub this up. I don't want to quit because I like having a job and making money. I just feel like I will not be able to do what is expected (it's so complex you need to understand a wide background in several fields to get a handle on it.)

Any advice?

[slove1106]

I would be honest about what you can and can't do. I would hate for the person training you to leave and you be stuck not knowing what to do in a situation. If it's things that you can figure out yourself, then I say go for it, just keep nodding. But if it's something you really know that you won't be able to grasp without someone there showing you, I'd tell them then and there so they can show you before they leave.

So you're covering someone on leave correct? If so, then yes, that's what I'd do. I know you may feel a little ashamed or you may feel that they'll think they hired the wrong person and regret hiring you, but think what would happen if she left and they depended on you to do something (which you previously told them you can handle) then you end up not being able to do it. If you're the only person there for that job, that may highly upset your authorities. (Imagine being the only person in the office to handle payroll, then finding out they don't know how to do it when the time comes... lol)

[GypsySoul22]

Thank you for replying.

The point is, as I see it, this is a job that in order to be done 'properly', needs months of real one on one training.

It's not a matter of 'grasping' how to do A & B...there are many variables and complex steps to each 'report' and so forth. It's really a matter of having been in a job 5 years vs. 10 days or 2 months.

The busy season is coming and I am going to be thrust in it.

I think THEIR expectations are unrealistic, especially at the amount of money they are paying. I'm serious. I could go to Kmart and make almost the same hourly rate...

I am 'just temp' so at any point I can call my agency and say 'This is too much' and quit. The problem is, the job has some pluses (very near home, fairly nice people, the potential for a 'full time' job (in another dept). (I'm not holding out on that one) and a few other perks I am not going into here.

Also after looking and being 'displaced' it is nice to pull in a paycheck.

My theory is to try and hang on while looking for a full time, 'real job'. I know they are grateful someone has taken on this job but it's really confusing. I can't grasp some of the procedures. (they do not make any sense to me without the experience or training needed).

I'd love to hear any other comments.

[Racelady88]

Sadly, most companies do not offer more than a few hours of training. Often it is done in between other tasks. I had a very complex position that I got no training on whatsoever, other than the manual that came with the software.

I agree, don't be afraid to ask for help or clarification. If you feel like you are in over your head after 2 weeks that is entirely normal.

[gardener34]

"The woman training me says it took her MONTHS to understand her job. "
If she said this, you will be fine.

If you are not working out, the temp agency will be asked by the employer to get another person and you can ask to be re-assigned.

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

I'm temping (I've written about this in another post). I am happy to have a job even if it is temp. It's great to get out of the house and make money and TALK to people who see me more than "someone's mom or wife."

However, I still feel like a noobie after 2 weeks. I am totally lost half the time the woman leaving is training me. The main person I have to report to keeps saying 'you know how to do this or that, right?' when he stops in. I try to smile and follow along but I am really confused by all the processes. I also feel I am very, very underpaid for what I am expected to do. (I am working via an agency).

The woman training me says it took her MONTHS to understand her job. I feel like I am going to flub this up. I don't want to quit because I like having a job and making money. I just feel like I will not be able to do what is expected (it's so complex you need to understand a wide background in several fields to get a handle on it.)

Any advice?

Just keep doing what you're doing and you'll be fine. One step at a time, one step at a time. You're further today than you were a few weeks ago when you were posting about not being able to find anything that's flexible, etc. As far as the pay, that's the breaks. You have to start somewhere and build back up.

As far as the woman who took months to understand her job, good for her. You're not her. Are you performing brain surgery? Is someone going to be maimed or die as a result of your work? If so, get out now, if not, then stick it out and keep learning. You have to break through that brick wall of self-doubt that you've built for yourself. If not, you're going to go back to square one of the doubt, the looking all over again for another job, etc. Don't torture yourself. Until they escort you out the door, then you're there.

You've come a long way. Don't stop now because you have a few doubts or because it took Mary or Susie this long or that long to learn something. Maybe Mary or Susie are slow. I don't know. I think that you can do anything you put your mind to.

P.S. - You said that you're "lost" half of the time. That's good. That must mean that you know what you're doing the other half of the time. Keep learning until you know what you're doing 60% of the time, then 70% of the time, and so on until you feel comfortable. Again, until the temp agency says you suck and you need to leave, then stay there. If they could find someone that knows what they're doing 100% of the time, then they probably wouldn't be there for the low pay that you say that you're getting. I'm sure that both the company and the temp agency is aware that it's going to take a while for the temp to learn the job.

[bibit612]

Gypsy - can you give us an idea on what it is you do? While people may not be able to give you advice on a blow-by-blow basis, someone might have experience in this particular industry/application/position and might be able to provide better tips than just generic take-down-notes type of solutions, yes? The approach to picking up new work may differ depending on what it is you are being trained to do.

[GypsySoul22]

You guys are greatly supportive, thank you.
Today went a bit better. It's hard to tell you what I do. It's a lot of administrative work but you really need a background in building and architecture to understand the various 'infractions' and so forth.

I work in a department that handles 'how homeowners can build their buildings' in our development. The work I am being trained to do is really very involved. I can do some of it, but still have a long way to go.

I am taking your advice to heart...like you say, if they want to get someone else, then fine...otherwise I will do my best.