Working with a boss that never interviewed me

[Pastypop]

In mid-June I took a new job. They ended up putting me with a boss that I did not interview with and he is terrible. I was thrown into a failing project and not given any training or documentation. When I ask for the documentation to learn the job, he tells me to go find it myself even though he has a copy that he constantly pulls up and tells me to update. Next, he will never let me close an issue. He wants me to research it further and re-question everyone who was involved. I do not want to do that to these people or they will not want to work with me again. He asks me to give him dates when I will have stuff completed which I do but, every morning he floods my inbox with other stuff that has be done now. I have repeatedly asked for him to prioritize and he says it all has to be done now. He also has an assistant who badgers me and schedules up to three status meetings each day to discuss progress. When she has something to do, she wants me to hand hold her through her work. This is putting me further behind. I have complained about the number of meetings and the horrible workload. Their suggestion was to have the assistant sit with me until each task was completed which I promptly replied no. I also have three other projects I'm working on as well. I am in the process of looking for another job. How do I survive this one until I find a new one?

[kenmore]

That sounds chaotic! I'm sorry it has gone this way. Since they are so disorganized and unhelpful, they have probably noticed an odd fact that all their hires are incompetent. They haven't put together the common denominator.

 

I think you're taking the proper action and in the meantime revel in the fact that you will find something else and not have to put up with that much longer. If your job prospects are dim, my suggestion is to remain cool, do what you can and don't get too stressed. This is something I absolutely know, trying to run in too many directions at once will cripple you. When your boss asks for a deadline from you, pad it a little. At first he'll wonder why it should take you so long but just tell him you know that will not be the only project you will have to do. With with the queue add in, it will take that long. As time goes by, increase the pad little by little until it gives you enough time. In fact, a good lesson in life in general is everything always takes longer than you think it should, so always pad every time estimate in everything. This includes going someplace, getting out of the house, cooking a meal, anything.

 

If the assistant wants to meet with you three times a day, meet with her. You are paid for that time, right? If not, that's a different story. Just add the time you know you will spend with her every day to the padding.

 

Mostly, don't get angry or flustered. This is a new job and it takes some time to learn the ropes. These are the ropes in that particular place. Just learn to compensate for them, and there's nothing unique with having to put up with bosses and their assistants. Remember, it's more important to estimate the time it will truly take to do something accurately than it is to promise something quickly. They may not like your answer when you tell them how long it will "really" take, but you need to take their interference into account. If you start meeting your (now delayed) deadlines, they will be happier and so will you!

 

Ken

[pink_sugar]

Sorry to hear what's going on. I was hired at a job in which my direct supervisor did not interview me. He also hardly gave me any hint of my performance and at my 90 days, basically just walked me to the room of doom when I was told I was terminated and left me there. Maybe it was best I am no longer with that company anyways.

 

If you're unsure of something, do your best to ask for clarification until you find another job. I worked for a guy who didn't train...I had to learn everything on my own and sometimes he would act like I should know or learn it on my own or I must be a moron. He was very weird about making mistakes...you could never make one or it was the end of the world. Best to find another job.

Edited August 11, 2015 by pink_sugar