Job Search!

Love this! @Oaktree 🫶 I will tag people as they come to mind. 

@Ruby26 @tyme @AuntGlow 

I recently applied for a job as a peer navigator. The role involves taking phone calls from people looking to access certain supports, like psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health services or even craft groups etc. Anyway I applied 2 days before the cutoff. About 5 days later I found out that I got an interview. I went to the interview this past Tuesday and I feel like I did reasonably well. They asked to check my references and also asked if I would be interested in relief work if I didn’t get the role. Of course I said yes. They said it would be 2 weeks before I heard from them. I have no idea if I will get the role but it’s my first interview since 2006 so I probably need more practice. I will let you know how it goes

It's hard (i.e. effectively impossible) when you simply don't have the contacts. I remember one time at a social gathering being told that you can't get a job unless you've got friends/relatives willing to get you in somewhere. That's always been my experiance.

My therapist confirmed it in so many words when she told me I had to "accept" that I was never gonna have a career (or anything else worthwhile, for that matter).

But it's more then simply knowing people; it's about being likeable enough that they'll be happy to do you a favor.

If I'm honest with myself, that's always been my real problem - I'm simply not likeable. At least, not to the types of people I tend to meet.

@chibam 

Well if that’s true then I’m stuffed! I don’t have friends or family that can give me a job

@Oaktree  Same.

And even among those who are fortunate enough to have such contacts, what can they do if they don't have the right contacts to get them in to the sort of worklife that they aspire to have?

I often wonder how my life could've turned out if one of my friends and/or family had been kind enough to arrange a job for me, and I find it hard to imagine that I would've had a worthwhile life, as to my knowledge, very very few of them had any links to any company that was worth working for. I think there was only one occasion when one distant acquaintance came along with a funny story from his workplace. Overwhelmingly, none of them had any apparent links to any reliably good workplaces.

So would I really have been any better off, being condemned to serve out my life sentance in a place like that?

IMHO, That's why we need a better system, like the therapy system, to get Australians in to the workplaces that will make them the most happy.

And I also think that the government needs to stop importing so many foreign workers, and prioritize giving Australian jobs to unemployed Australians, too. Sure, there are probably some jobs that are so crappy you have to look overseas before you can find someone desparate enough to take it on; but I'd be willing to wager that the vast majority of jobs being assigned to foreigners these days are of a nature that a great many unemployed Australians would be more then happy to take on.

I've been on a lot of interview panels, and one thing to remember is to add a cover letter as well as responses of your experiences to key selection criteria. Some use the STAR model e.g. situation, task, action, result. This model also works during interviews.

@Oaktree @Ruby26 

Hi @tyme 

I did use the STAR technique to my covering letter.

Superb @Oaktree . It's common to have questions in interviews about a time when things have gone well as well as time when they haven't gone well. How did you respond? What was the result?

@Oaktree that sounds like an amazing job. If the interview went well, you've got a decent chance of getting either the job or the relief job. I don't think it matters too much that you haven't done an interview in awhile if the job suits you. I hope you get the job- it sounds like a very useful way to use your lived experience. 

I am still looking as well I've had interviews. One last week I think I was ok.

This week I'm struggling panic has set in and I can't look at jobs it so overwhelming. 

I also feel networking is the way in and I struggle with that. 

I then get sad and anxious the loop of worrying about finances and how long this will be what's going to happen. 

@Oaktree 

Thanks for starting a post on this topic, I honestly feel like it’s exactly what I needed right now.

This year, I’m going to try getting back into work. I’ve chosen to take a break from my previous career because it was extremely stressful, triggering for me, and came with a lot of responsibility (not as in a leadership role or anything, just a lot to manage day-to-day.) Right now, I feel like I need something more low-key, something that allows me to rebuild myself and ease back into working without that high stress and heavy responsibility.

I’ve been applying for a few jobs, and yesterday I got a call back for an interview this Friday/tomorrow.
At first, I felt excited, but now I feel like my mind is driving me nuts. I don’t know if anyone else can relate, but when you’ve done the same thing for a long time and suddenly try something different, it feels really overwhelming. My mind keeps coming up with a thousand reasons not to go because I’m scared. But I’m trying to remind myself that I can’t assume it won’t work out when I haven’t even been to the interview yet. I have to give it a try. I guess any job will feel scary at first, whether it’s your top pick or not. I guess it’s just going to feel this way and I’m trying to mentally prepare for the ultimate question.. “Tell us about yourself....."

How’s it going for everyone else at this stage? Sending you all my support.

@Junie @Ruby26 @tyme @chibam 

I've been on both sides - the interviewer and the interviewee. 

Some of the best interviews I've sat through are ones where people can provide examples of their experiences and the outcome and how this aligns with their organisational goals. 

I also have to say that when interviewing, we often look at whether the person will be a good 'fit' for the current team and the role and this is hard to prepare for. You don't want to be over-skilled nor under skilled I guess.

I just want to say, take a few deep breaths. If you need the question repeated, ask. Pause and take a break if you need to @SaltwaterSoul .

All the best with your interview!

@Ruby26 , how are things going with you?

@tyme 

I discussed conflict resolution during my interview and used the example from the forums. I said that I tried to give the particular person grace to make mistakes.

Amazing @Oaktree ! That was such a great example. When working with people, it's about giving them unconditional positive regard.

And to be honest, conflict is not easy, hence it is conflict, right? Yet there are certainly opportunities that lie within.

@tyme 

That's interesting, thanks for sharing some insights. I did some practice yesterday to get a rough idea of what I will say, and then I also wrote down some questions that I am interested in asking. I didn't get much time to prepare back as they called me just two days ago, but I try to convince myself it's good practice either way, it's good to get out there and give it a shot.

I wish you all a good day. 

@Oaktree @Junie @Ruby26 @chibam 

Hey everyone,

My interview didn’t go the way I had hoped.. I only had one day to prepare, so I didn’t feel as ready as I would have liked. On top of that, the interview itself felt quite unstructured. I was only asked two questions..“Why do you want to work here?” and “What are your interests outside of work?” I felt like I didn’t really get the opportunity from the start to show who I am and my strengths. I tried to talk about me, but the interviewer had a long list of information to cover, so the conversation felt very rushed. 

As the interview went on, the most surprising part was that she spent much of the duration speaking negatively about other staff members and even her own boss. I have never experienced anything like that before, and I left feeling quite shocked... While it was very disappointing, especially after putting myself out there, being brave, and dressing up for the interview, I’m taking it as a sign that it probably wasn’t the right fit for me. I wouldn’t want to be in that disrespectful toxic environment, especially as this would have been my first job back in a while. ☹️ 

I’m hoping the right opportunity will come up soon....

@Oaktree @tyme @Junie @Ruby26 @chibam 

@SaltwaterSoul @tyme 

You need to see interviews as you are interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. Even if you are offered the job, if you don’t think their values align with yours, you can refuse the job offer. I wonder if they were testing to see if you would say something? Anyway better luck next time 

Hey @SaltwaterSoul ,

Wow indeed. I totally hear you! Even if you got the job, you may question whether it's a workplace you want to be in. 

At least you got insight into what the culture may be.

I look forward to hearing you find something that aligns with your values 🙂

Hope you aren't discouraged and will keep looking!

@Oaktree @tyme ,

Thank you so kindly, it means a lot to get some encouraging words after a rocky interview. I will keep looking, it was worth a shot I guess. Have a great night everyone. 😊

@Junie @Ruby26 @chibam 

Hey @Junie ,

Sorry that I missed your post earlier. 

I hear job search is hard. Whilst networking can be the way, there are also other ways such as start from entry. level jobs and then working yourself up the ladder sort of thing. I guess it's a bit of a pay cut when you first start, but if it's a role you enjoy, then it may be worth it.

We look forward to hearing how it goes for you.

@SaltwaterSoul How did your interview go? 

Yes, I can relate both to the anxiety leading up to an interview and dreading the 'tell us about yourself?' question. 

I'm having a break from job searching at the moment. I did apply for a short course this week. If I get into the course, I think that counts as work. 

@tyme thanks for checking in. I'm having a break from applying for jobs. I applied for a short course, not sure if I'll get in or not yet. 

How are things going with you?

@Oaktree and @tyme I have always felt defeated by the conflict question. I think the honest answer for me is: "Conflict is a trigger for psychosis for me, it never gets resolved unless one of us leaves the job". But I can't actually say that as I highly doubt that is an answer that would lead to a job. 

However, I went to a job interview a few weeks ago and I was asked "Tell us about a time where you had a difference of opinion with someone else." and I felt like I gave a really good answer. It was only after the interview I realized- hang on, I think that was the 'conflict' question. I have now realized that I when I hear the word 'conflict' I imagine situation are very toxic and abusive. But if I think of it as a 'difference of opinion' instead, there are good examples I can use. 

@SaltwaterSoul I'm very sorry to hear the interview didn't go as you hoped. Your interviewer sounds very unprofessional. I think it is highly likely that there were other questions that she was supposed to ask you, but she was too busy complaining about the other staff to do the interview properly.

This situation reminds me so much of what a former boss of mine was like. This boss would take up most of my work time with these one on one "meetings" where she would go on a rant for the whole time saying nasty things about the other staff and calling them names. It got to the point where 80% of my work time was just having to listen to her rant and then she would claim I was 'disorganized' with getting things done. I think you are far better off, NOT getting the job if someone like this was going to be your boss. There is bound to be another job for you out there that would be a better work environment than this. 

@Ruby26 

I really appreciate you taking the time to share some of your story with me. That actually makes a lot of sense, and I think that's what the case would of been. Because she has a form in front of her with questions to ask, she even said it I'm supposed to follow this form. I couldn't read the questions or anything, but I did see it was a lot of text on the form. 

Looking back at it now, I can just see it was a big red flag for me. But I felt overwhelmed and disappointed at the time because I was feeling hopeful that this was going to be good, but it is what it is. The hours didn't really work either, I needed more hours and was upfront with that, and she said it wasn't that much work, unless I stick around for 3 months. That doesn't work for me and she was really vague about the process part, she mentioned her boss was on leave for a while, and even when she come back you probably won't hear back from us, so you would have to come by and ask for an update...I won't bother, and like you said, I'll be far better off with another job. 

That must have been awful for you with your boss, especially being blamed and called disoriented when it was on her account. How are things going for you workwise now?

Wow @Ruby26 . That's a really incredible insight in terms of conflict being a trigger for psychosis. I wonder if this is something that might be worth unpacking in the future. 

During my time at SANE, I've learnt about how to "Move towards conflict". This was such a conundrum to me. Why would anyone move towards conflict?

I've since learnt that conflict can bring up a lot of opportunties. Opportunities to learn and grow. 

However, I also recognise it can be a trigger if you've had difficult experiences. 

Open to hearing your thoughts.

@tyme 

I haven't heard back from the interview and by what my application on seek it says I am not progressing...I definitely felt that rejection. I applied for a barista position as well i will see what happens I've been applying for all kinds of jobs I returned to work after COVID being a sahm for years I was then made redundant from that role two years ago almost am I have just struggled. I'm not going to lie most of my applications I have no interest in those jobs I definitely think it's rejection and confidence in need to rebuild. I spose this week will be more waiting for responses. 

Sorry have had a tough week and just flat.

Hey @Junie ,

Remember, it is not because you are not a good worker. Remember the idea that a candidate has to be a good fit for the role. I hear the pain of rejection hurts. But that's why we are here to support each other. To make it that little more bearable.

I just really wanted to say, good on your for reaching out and applying in the first place! As you mentioned, you've been made redundant in the past. This can be so defeating. Yet you rose up and powered on to give this a go - so please give yourself some credit!

Hi @Junie 

Good on you for continuing to apply for jobs despite the apparent rejections.

@AuntGlow 

I have only applied for one job so far. I get the answer this week some time. I just arranged 3 hours of work each Monday doing a caring role for a friend’s daughter with disabilities. 

Fingers crossed you get the job if it's for you, and that you don't get it if it's not good for you 🙂

@Oaktree 

@Cat34 

Congratulations on your job interview. Please let us know how you go

If I receive an email that says "The Employer is very keen on bringing you onboard", does that mean that I got the job offer? Or does it mean something else? I'm not too sure what this Australian jargon is supposed to mean... please help me out! 

@FearofUnknown 

I would say that sounds positive 

@tyme 

I just heard back. They said that I was a strong candidate but they went with someone with experience. They said they could see me working in the organisation so to keep applying 

@SaltwaterSoul I'm sorry that you got overwhelmed and disappointed. Preparing for an interview takes up a lot of time and energy, it is awful that you were treated in such an unprofessional manner. 

Thank you, it was a terrible time, I already had a lot I was dealing with in my personal life and really didn't need the extra stress. I'm really glad I no longer work there. 

Workwise now, I lost my job (a different job) in December. I've found looking for a new job has had a lot of stress and so I'm taking a break to protect my mental health. I'm self-employed so I'm just focusing on running my own business. I've got a decent amount of work lined up for February, not sure yet what I'll be doing after that. 

@tyme thank you. According to mainstream psychiatry, psychosis is only caused by biological factors and not social or psychological factors. However, if you look at the bio-psycho-social model, it does suggest that psychological and social stressors can also contribute to psychosis. I think psychiatry needs to move more into this direction.

I can see a clear pattern with my own mental health of conflict causing psychosis. I also have a parent who has a psychotic disorder who also seems to be triggered by conflict. Neither of us has found a psychiatrist who has been able to give a biological based explanation of why we fluctuate with our mental illnesses the way that we do. 

An issue with conflict is that trying too hard to avoid conflict actually ends up leading to more conflict. I used to be very people pleasing in order to prevent conflict (and hence keep my mental health stable). However, being too people pleasing attracts toxic people and I've learnt there are people who will inevitably become exploitative and abusive if I treat them with unconditional niceness. There are some situations in which conflict is essential in order to prevent worse conflict in the future. 

Do you think that could be related to why Sane promote moving towards conflict? 

I can see that for other people there are lots of opportunities to learn and grow through conflict. However, for me, I don't learn from social mistakes the way other people seem to. I don't seem to be able to distinguish the difference between a conflict and a serious threat. For my own safety, it is essential for me to isolate myself from others when I'm showing warning signs of building up to psychosis. It is a very lonely and frustrating thing, but no amount of medication and therapy offers me the protection that a temporary period of social isolation does. 

@Junie I'm sorry that you are having such a tough time. I understand that rejection is hurtful, but remember it says nothing personal about your worth or your ability to work. It is almost universal to face some level of rejection in the job-hunting process. 

Is there something you can do to help with your self-confidence (that is within your control)? 

@Ruby26 thank you for saying that. I never know what to think and when I'm down I can't go to that part that is nice. 

I'm trying to think of some ideas 🤔 

I had a tough couple of days I've never had high blood pressure before mixed with low iron I am attempting to listen to my body and rest. 

@Junie I understand, I often feel the same way. 

I find researching grounding activities can be a good start to finding things to help with self-confidence. 

I also have low iron. I found that I had to do a lot of research on how to take iron tablets properly (they interact with most foods and hot drinks). If you take the tablet form, it really helps to either google or ask your pharmacist how to take it properly. I hope you get a good rest and feel better soon. 

@Ruby26 

That's sounds interesting, that's good that you can set your own schedule in that way. I'm proud of you for walking away from that stress, and focus on yourself for a while. 

I actually got an email today from another job I applied for, and I'm shortlisted for that job. A person from their recruitment team also called me today, and we talked for quite a while, she asked me lots of questions and I felt a lot more confident and calm. I'm also going to meet the team next week, which is great, gives me more time to prepare this time. 🙂

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@Ruby26 wrote:

@tyme thank you. According to mainstream psychiatry, psychosis is only caused by biological

 

An issue with conflict is that trying too hard to avoid conflict actually ends up leading to more conflict. I used to be very people pleasing in order to prevent conflict (and hence keep my mental health stable). However, being too people pleasing attracts toxic people and I've learnt there are people who will inevitably become exploitative and abusive if I treat them with unconditional niceness. There are some situations in which conflict is essential in order to prevent worse conflict in the future. 

 

Do you think that could be related to why Sane promote moving towards conflict? 

 

I can see that for other people there are lots of opportunities to learn and grow through conflict. However, for me, I don't learn from social mistakes the way other people seem to. I don't seem to be able to distinguish the difference between a conflict and a serious threat. For my own safety, it is essential for me to isolate myself from others when I'm showing warning signs of building up to psychosis. It is a very lonely and frustrating thing, but no amount of medication and therapy offers me the protection that a temporary period of social isolation does. 

 

 

---

Thank you for sharing. I apologise if my post came out as SANE was promoting moving towards conflict. Rather, it was a live chat discussion we had, and I learnt a lot from it.

Of course each situation is different. THere are some situations we move away from, but there are also some that we can move towards. I absolutely hear that you have found that conflict can be a trigger for psychosis - I would not doubt it one bit.

I absolutely hear your perspective aroud moving away when you feel there are warning signs of psychosis. It's so important that you recognise this.

Thank you so much for sharing @Ruby26 

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@Oaktree wrote:

 

 

@tyme 

 

I just heard back. They said that I was a strong candidate but they went with someone with experience. They said they could see me working in the organisation so to keep applying 

---

Hey @Oaktree ,

Thank you for trusting us and sharing. I absolutely believe in your abilities. You offer so much as a peer worker. I look forward to seeing you obtain a role that's perfect for you 🙂

I am sorry to hear you didn't get the role on this occasion @Oaktree, however, their feedback sounds very encouraging and promising! 🤩

Have you found any roles you may like to apply for next?

@SaltwaterSoul thanks so much for your support. 

Oh, well done on getting to the next stage of the job process. How is that all going? 

@tyme it's all good, I'm glad you learnt a lot from the live chat. Thank you for your validation. 

Great to hear from you @Ruby26 . How are you doing today?

@tyme thank you. I've been going through a difficult time with my mental health, I'm feeling better today, just exhausted and needing to keep my mind occupied. 

How have things been going for you? 

We're here if you company @Ruby26 

I know first hand how hard it can be with our MH. 

@Ruby26 

Yes, it was exciting. I went along, really appreciated the tour of the workplace and the conversation, and I felt it all went well. But after sitting with it for a few days and thinking it through carefully, I realised the role was quite big. In the end, it felt a little too soon for me to step into something at that level, so I decided not to move forward. I hadn’t formally been offered the job, but they wanted me to let them know if I still wanted to progress. Even though I said no, it felt like we ended on good terms and left the door open, which I’m grateful for.

Since then, I’ve taken on some temporary work helping out with orientation events at a university nearby. It’s been a mix of nervousness, anxiety and excitement for me. I'm feeling so tired today, I haven't worked full eight-hour days in a long time. This role runs for this week and two half days next week, and then it wraps up.

I’m seeing this opportunity as a bit of a trial for myself, a way to build confidence, gain some experience and getting myself ready for next opportunity. After this, I’ll keep continuing the job search and hope that something suitable will come up. 🙂


@Oaktree @tyme @AuntGlow @Junie 

I have a job interview via Zoom today! I've got my phone ready and answers written down so I can discreetly peek at them during the interview (Yay to having a virtual interview). Do people like these type of set-ups for a job interview eg. Google Meet, Zoom, pre-recorded questions, etc?

I've found that most of my interview offers are these type of virtual interviews. Or maybe I get an even amount of both in-person and virtual interviews, I'm not sure. Overall, I don't mind them. How about you? Do you prefer in-person interviews over virtual ones?

That takes strength @SaltwaterSoul  - well done on being open and honest about how you felt about the role. It's so important to feel that it sits right in your gut. If not, then we need to ask more questions. This is surely a step to success.

It all sounds like there's a lot happening for you so kudos to you! I look forward to hearing how things go whether it be work or study etc.

@FearofUnknown , hope it went well. Every interview is an experience. I tend to find that the online interviews are more like the ones where there's a hybrid model of working (if not fully online). Who knows?

I look forward to hearing more about it.

I deserve the Guiness World Record title for 'Longest in-person Job Interview attended'. 

The interview lasted a whole 1 hour!!

And I still didn't get the job because I had to disclose my MH issues!!

@SaltwaterSoul it can be really difficult when job searching to know right away what would be manageable. I'm glad you made a decision that was right for you.

Eight hours is a long time to be working an orientation event. For me it would be a particularly difficult role in terms of the prolonged standing and all the sensory and emotional overload. I couldn't do that for two days in a row, let alone a week. If you can cope with that then maybe you could find more work at the university with event hosting? Uni's have social events and club events throughout the year too. 

@FearofUnknown how did your interview go?

I have found that interviews changed during lockdown from being in person to virtual. Getting questions in advance is rare. 

I find virtual interviews are much easier. It was a huge stress having to find locations for interviews. I can't drive and I have a very poor sense of direction. I'd have to aim to get to interviews at least 2 hours early because I would frequently end up lost for over an hour. 

@FearofUnknown I'm so sorry you didn't get the job after all of that. I went through something similar recently too. Was there a reason you "had" to disclose your mental health issues? Apart from a few rare exceptions, most jobs aren't legally allowed to make you disclose unless your mental illness could cause safety issues or prevent you from being able to perform the job properly. If they make you disclose for any other reason, its discrimination. I recently looked all this up because of my own situation.  

@Ruby26 

Thank you for writing back to me. To be honest, I felt very exhausted and mentally drained after orientation week. I became quite overwhelmed and felt unwell because of it, so I ended up calling in sick last Friday. It was a bit of a tough week, as I had therapy on Thursday after my shift, and afterwards I felt completely done. I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, I had a great time overall, but it was quite full-on for me and I found it more exhausting than I expected.

They asked if I would like to move into a casual role supporting smaller events, which would involve short shifts of around three hours when needed. I agreed for now, as I don’t currently have other work, and I’ve been given two shifts so far.😊

On a positive note, I had a phone interview today for another job I applied for, the conversation flowed naturally, which is unusual for me, I think catching up on sleep probably made a difference. I’ve been invited to the next stage, with a face-to-face interview next Monday. 👍

I guess every opportunity is good experience regardless of the outcome.

@Oaktree @FearofUnknown @tyme @AuntGlow 

@FearofUnknown 

Good on you for doing a virtual interview for a full hour, that’s impressive. I’m really proud of you for sitting through that. I also read your other post, and I’m sorry you didn’t get the job. That’s really disappointing, and I hope your next opportunity will be a much better fit for you, and that they will respect your MH conditions.👍

Regarding your question about virtual interviews, I think it would feel a bit different for me if I had to do one. If I had to choose between a phone interview and a virtual interview, I’d probably choose the phone as I have done that a few times, but I’m sure that with more practice I’d get more comfortable with it. I’ve recently done a few recorded video responses for job applications, where you answer questions but no one is there live, it’s just recorded. That felt a bit new to me as well, but it was still good experience.

@SaltwaterSoul I had 2 job interviews.

The first one was a virtual interview and the second was in-person for 1 hour.

@FearofUnknown 

Oh sorry, I think I got that mixed up while catching up on the conversation. One hour is still a long interview, that’s a great effort. Just checking, were the virtual and in-person interviews for the same job, or for two different roles? 😊

@SaltwaterSoul It was for 2 very similar roles. At least from the job descriptions they are similar but both had there own demands.

The first job required skills in Social Media whereas the second job requires skills with Conflict Resolution. @Ruby26 That's why I got asked about my Mental Health issues because the Manager needed to know how well I can handle stress.

Hiiii @SaltwaterSoul!

Thank you so much for tagging me. 

You should be so proud of your explorations and efforts. A huge part of finding what works for us is experiencing the thing firsthand, feeling into if it's aligned, and then taking intentional action from that place - which you are doing! 😍

It sounds like you have found a working style that works for you right now, is that right? 

And wheee! So exciting about the job interview too. Isn't it nice when things feel grounded and easeful?

You are absolutely right - every opportunity is a space for potential learning and growth. 

I wonder what kind of intention you could set for yourself on Monday? Perhaps something that is just for you and your own sense of learning and growth?

PS: Let me know how you go! 💛

@Oaktree Do you have any updates re: work? 🥰

@AuntGlow 

I have decided not to pursue a job at this time because I am studying. If this changes I will let you know

@AuntGlow 

Thanks for your inspiring and kind words. 

It was a good interview, and I felt it was well structured. I felt much calmer and more confident, having done a few interviews now. I ended up receiving an offer,  however, I had to turn it down once again. I feel quite sad about this because, although I felt a tiny spark of excitement about the role, I knew deep down it wasn’t the right decision.😓

My decision was based on the shift work, including semi-night shifts. This wasn’t mentioned in the phone interview, so it came as a surprise during the face-to-face interview. At first, I thought it wouldn’t be a problem, but then I realised that I take sleep medication and really need consistent routines in my life. If my sleep gets disrupted, everything else becomes a nightmare.

I really wanted this to be the job I was looking for, but I’ll have to keep searching. On the positive side, they were happy I communicated my decision early, so they could move forward with someone else. In the end, I guess I made their process easier and my own as well. And I still got the event job, it's not much but it's something at least. I got a shift tomorrow. 😊

@Oaktree @FearofUnknown @Ruby26 @tyme 

I take day time as well as night time medication and realised I can't stop at work to drink my medications so unfortunately there are jobs I can't apply for as well. It always slips my mind though, that any shift work could include night shifts.

Good thing you turned it down if you already have Insomnia. I have Insomnia too and take sleep medication infrequently. Our energy levels are dependant upon good sleep, so no point having a job if you don't have enough energy for it..

@FearofUnknown 

Thank you for sharing and your supporting words. I appreciate it. It's very true, it just wasn't meant to be this time either I guess. How are you going at this stage? 

In between job searching and attending interviews, I am waiting on my Service Provider to give me a job. I am on Jobseeker Payment. We've sent several Resumes/CVs around to some really nice sounding Employers except none of them will organise a job interview with me. We don't know what is wrong. It is very frustrating because they are supposed to accept me to receive Wage Subsidy from the Government.

Is anybody else still on Jobseeker Payment and not the DSP? Or if you are on the DSP, do you work with a Service Provider to help you look for a job?

Thank you for updating me. @Oaktree 

How is study feeling at the moment? 

I have some workshops for study this week! We're on the study train together hehe 💛

Thanks for the update @SaltwaterSoul . 

I hope you find something that works for you. 

You're right in saying that it's important to tell them early. I wonder if any of these places will be willing to adjust their expectations if they really want you on board?

I remember I was going to turn down a job once, but after speaking to the hiring manager, they allowed me to go home early on certain days. That was the agreement for me working there.

I start a 2 week job trial next Monday! Hopefully I pass all the tests so that I can be hired permanently! I can feel the butterflies in my stomach!

The job is for a printing factory that specialises in printing on glass and ceramics. Phew! Back to the Design industry.

I've finished my first day of work (yesterday)! I can't believe I was allowed to sit down all day! What a privilege it is! It was like having an office job but in a warehouse environment that at some point, smelt full of printing ink. 

I wonder if my day tomorrow at work will be the same as my first day.... or will they give me a different task to do? I want to learn as many different things as possible so I want to try something else tomorrow like unloading stock from a pallet. Although the work is more physically demanding and my arms and legs will be sore by the end of the day, I want to give it a try too. 

I have not been this happy in an extremely long time. I also managed to sleep for 10 whole hours! After months of Insomnia, last night was the best sleep I've ever had! What a bonus!

I believe they will hire me at the end of the Probation Period as I am trying my hardest to be a Perfectionist at what I'm doing, which is printing logos and designs onto cups and plates. 

Day 2 of my 2 week Probation Period and I've been complimented that I am a "fast" worker. So far, so great. I hope I get to try other tasks though. I don't want to be locked into a work routine just yet.

Day 3 of my Probation Period and there are ups and downs today. Let's start with the down before ending with the up.

The down for today is that the work that I did, it did not meet the expectations to "pass" so I had to restart thr task over again and even putting materials that cost money in the bin. I persisted for several hours and what I thought was OK, it still did not get a "pass". No matter how hard I tried, the results did not change. 

Now for the up. The up is that I've been asked to come do an extra day at work tomorrow which means I must be contributing well to the team and company so they need me for an extra hand, quite literally. I'm taking this as a sign that I've already passed the Probation Period so I will try to relax a little at work tomorrow.

@FearofUnknown 

Have a great day at work tomorrow and it sounds as if they need you there and value what you contribute (even though today some task outcomes weren't what they wanted the fact that you kept working on it and show up means a lot more and also we can't be great first time at every task, right, but your ethics and skills in other areas sound as if they are much needed and that you are a well-liked team member-so I hope you can relax a bit more tomorrow and enjoy. 😊

The Good of today, day 4, end of the first week of my 2 week Probation Period:

I packed 216 printed tea pots, ready to be shipped back to the Client/Customer.

The Bad of today, day 4, end of the first week of my 2 week Probation Period:

I got called in for a Work Performance Review "chat" which made we more worried than nervous. It felt like I was about to be fired, being asked so seriously how I am doing. The Boss told me I'm supposed to be doing job A and not job B. But job B is easy and I can do it fast, whereas job A is harder and I constantly need help.

Thanks for the update @FearofUnknown . How did you feel after the conversation with management?

@tyme I feel pressured to try even harder to meet the company's expectations and am worried that if I can't meet it that after several months, I could be fired. I am hoping that by doing other tasks, I can make up for it so at least I'm still contributing to the daily success of the business, just not in the area the Boss wants me to. I'm reliant on my Manager to organise for me various tasks. 

@SaltwaterSoul I understand, I had a huge work project recently and while I loved getting the work it was also very draining. I hope you're proud of yourself for your efforts, it sounds like you've achieved a lot. 

How is everything been going for you now? 

@SaltwaterSoul I'm sorry that the job didn't work out. I hate when the wait until the later stages of the process to drop bombshells such as night shifts. I suspect this was deliberate on their part. It's called bait and switch when job ads leave out important information in order to make the job appear to have better conditions than it really does.

Having a disrupted sleep routine can be terrible for mental health. For me it is a dealbreaker if a job requires me to make changes to how I take my medication. I find if I don't take my medication at the same time every night that it changes how it works. Unless you need a job immediately to cover basic needs like food and shelter, it is far more important to have a consistent sleep and medication routine than to accept a job.   

Day 5 and my final week of my 2 week Probation Period.

Today I was unloading stock from pallets and re packaged stock from a Client/Customer that no longer wants to print with us. That's all I was doing all day. Very simple routine today.

Also, my work schedule is being changed starting from next week because they are short on staff every Tuesday. Guess I'm needed to fill up the numbers too and "give them a hand".

Day 6, final week of 2 week Probation Period. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly:

The Good - today I worked as a team with coworker A, which made the work more easier to do as he was always helping me without me asking for it.

The Bad - I was standing for a full 8 hours and my shoulders and back is sore too. My arms are alright.

The Ugly - I finished making 6 plates but another coworker removed 4 of my plates from the finished pile. She basically was going to bin the 4 that I did and she has no right to do that. It's upsetting! 

Overall: I need to still learn how to get along with everyone as everybody had their own way of working. Relationships can be difficult. It's more than just being "nice" at work.

Day 7, last day of my 2 week Probation Period.

I've finally spent the day doing what me and the Boss wants me to do because my Supervisor has delegated specific tasks for me only like I hoped he would do. He also took on the role of demonstrating how each task should be completed, rather than asking the "mean" coworker to do it. 

Because of that arrangement, I was able to relax, feel peaceful and work more productively which resulted in me finishing about 50 plates and 24 cups. I am very pleased with my progress.

Lastly, there was no formal review session like before or any particular announcement in regards to me passing the Probation Period. I'm a bit disappointed at the lack thereof. Nevertheless, I got a "See you on Monday" so I guess I've accomplished it after the 2 weeks.

Woohoo @FearofUnknown ! Congrats!

Feel free to tag me into your updates. That's amazing! Also, I guess you can also ask your boss for feedback.

@Ruby26 , How is everything going with you?

@FearofUnknown 

I’ve just read your posts about your new job. First of all, I’m so excited for you, congratulations on giving it a go! It sounds like you may have passed your probation too? It was interesting and inspiring reading about your days at work. And yes, working with others isn’t always easy, like you mentioned, everyone has different ways of doing things. It’s definitely an adjustment but I’m proud of you for pushing through though. Good on you! Keep us updated how things goes for you. 😊

@Ruby26 

Nice to hear from you, thank you for your kind words and yes it can absolutely be a dealbreaker. I've been off here for a while, have been going through a few tough weeks, so I've had a bit of a break from applying for jobs. However, I'm starting to feel a bit better now. I did one shift this week at the event job, only half day but it was good, I felt a bit tired and overwhelmed with all the people but it went ok. 

@tyme @FearofUnknown @Ruby26 @Oaktree @AuntGlow 

I also need some help and advice..I got a call from another job I applied for a while ago and have been invited to an interview next week, it’s a daytime role. Hopefully fingers crossed a suitable position for me!! In the interview confirmation letter, they mentioned wearing “professional attire,” which made me feel a bit freaked out, as I don’t usually dress like that. If I end up getting the job, they provide a uniform which would be great, since I don’t really own those kinds of clothes, based on what I saw when googling. I do have some nicer, clean outfits I’d wear on special occasions. I’ve got some tailored pants somewhere, and a few nicer tops/blouses for special occasions, but I don’t have a blazer or anything like that?! I think I may have gotten a bit caught up in the wording and started overthinking it. I’ve never been invited to an interview where a specific dress code has been mentioned before, so I'm not quite sure what's expected and it's stresses me out. 😲

@SaltwaterSoul How about shoes? What sort of shoes are you going to wear with tailored pants and a blouse?

@FearofUnknown 

I’m confident with my choice of shoes, I am probably just overthinking it. I usually make an effort to show up in a clean, tidy outfit for each interview, but when I read “professional attire” it threw me off a bit, as I’ve never actually had an interview confirmation letter mention that before. What would you wear if you were in my situation? 🙂

@SaltwaterSoul ,

Maybe, just don't turn up in ripped jeans? 

Congrats on the interview! 

We're here if you have questions you want to unpack before the interview.

Thanks @tyme, I managed to put something together. I think this interview was my best yet, I didn’t even shake in my voice once. I felt quite calm this time around. I’m not sure why, but the manager who interviewed me was very calm and spoke in a really calm way, which made me feel calm too somehow. I was very nervous when I walked into the room, and her calm voice helped me feel less anxious. There was one scenario question where I kind of went blank, and panicked a bit, but then I remembered to ask can you please repeat the question again, and then I got it right. The manager said ''excellent'', that was nice to hear. Overall, I thought the job seemed fine. I’ll just wait and see if I get it or not, as they had some other interviews as well. 🙂

@Oaktree @FearofUnknown @Ruby26 @Tolly 

@SaltwaterSoul , so glad to hear that you feel comfortable. I think that's important as part of a job. Sometimes a job might seem great on paper, but when you go in, you 'feel' it's not for you.

All the best as you wait.

Hello @SaltwaterSoul, 

How are you? 💛

I am so sorry for my delay! I have had a bit of time off recently. 

I would love an update on the job-front. What have I missed?! 🤩

@AuntGlow 

That’s great, I hope you had some well-deserved time off. Did you do anything special or just take some time to rest?

I went to an interview last week, and overall I felt it went well. I felt confident during the interview, my voice didn’t shake, which is something I usually experience. However, in the following days, I did feel a bit anxious, with thoughts like I might not be able to do it or that I’m not capable of learning something new. I know this is just my own anxiety, which tends to show up in this way. Whenever something good happens, I immediately start thinking I can’t do it. Very helpful… not. But I’m working on it.

After some rest and reflection, I’ve come to the conclusion that if I do receive an offer, I think ’ll take the step and give it a go. The worst-case scenario is that it’s not the right fit or it doesn’t work out, but at least I would have tried. I can’t really say it won’t work out if I haven’t given it a chance. It wasn’t a bad role at all. I think the fact that it felt like it could be something for me is partly what made me feel a bit worried.

@FearofUnknown 

How are you going with your work journey? Have been thinking of you and wondering how it's going for you. 🙂

@SaltwaterSoul I'm so proud of you for doing so well with the interview. Have you heard back about the outcome yet? 

Good afternoon @SaltwaterSoul 🥰

I was attending various events, rehearsing for a show, and going to uni haha so no downtime, but hopefully soon!!

It's so amazing to hear that you felt confident in your interview! What do you think helped you to feel that way?

And I completely understand the feelings of doubt that come up when things start to feel good... it's like your brain goes, "ahh this feels unfamiliar, better start to control the situation as much as I can by focusing on what could go wrong!" 🥴😂

It's tough, but your brain is doing its very best to protect you, so we can thank it for that. 🫶

I wonder if it's possible to notice that the thoughts are a protective part of you, and consciously reconnect to the part of you that feels trusting? 🤔

This is a really great approach - we learn through experience and most of the time our experiences will lead us to whatever lesson we need to grow and evolve. 

Do you have any updates on this job? 🤩

Also hello @Ruby26 @FearofUnknown @Oaktree @Judi9877, how is everything in your work/study worlds? 

Hi everyone, 

Thank you for being part of my journey. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. I received a call early last week, and unfortunately, I didn’t get the position. I was told that someone who previously worked with them decided to return and was offered the role. The recruitment person did mention that they really liked me and believed I would have been a great fit, and that they’ll keep my resume on file. I did feel quite disappointed and down that day, as I genuinely felt ready for the next step. But after a few days, I’ve come to accept it and have shifted my focus back to job searching. I’ve already applied for a couple of new roles since then. Hopefully something comes up soon..🙂

@AuntGlow @Oaktree @Ruby26 @tyme @FearofUnknown 

@AuntGlow 

Sounds like you had a pretty full on but fun time off. I think the reason I felt so confident this time is because I’ve been through a few interviews now, and I’ve had the chance to practise the questions I usually get stuck on. 

Regarding wanting to protect myself, I definitely think it’s partly self-protection. I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes or find myself in a miserable situation again, so my mind tends to analyse everything, sometimes a bit too much. But I guess, it’s all part of the process.

I hope you had a Happy Easter as well.😊

@AuntGlow hi. I'm very busy right now with rehearsals for a musical theatre show I'm in, so having a break from the job search. I'm also running my own business but getting next to no work at the moment, so I'm technically working but only just.   

How is everything going for you? How are you finding being a peer support worker? 

@SaltwaterSoul thanks for the update and sorry to hear that you didn't get the job. It sounds like you did really well based on the feedback you got though. Generally, in those circumstances the person who previously worked for the role is always favoured over new candidates, so it was just bad luck for you rather than a lack of ability. Hope you get better luck next time. 

@Ruby26 

A musical theatre show sounds so cool, I just saw you shared it to @AuntGlow and couldn't resist commenting. How long have you been doing that? When’s the premiere? Good luck!!

And thank you so much, I’ve got an interview on Friday! I’m really hoping this could be the one. I feel ready to get started with something. I have no doubt it will be a bit scary no matter what, but I’m ready to take that next step. It’s a part-time, daytime position too. 😊

---

@SaltwaterSoul wrote:

Hi everyone, 

Thank you for being part of my journey. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. I received a call early last week, and unfortunately, I didn’t get the position. I was told that someone who previously worked with them decided to return and was offered the role. The recruitment person did mention that they really liked me and believed I would have been a great fit, and that they’ll keep my resume on file. I did feel quite disappointed and down that day, as I genuinely felt ready for the next step. But after a few days, I’ve come to accept it and have shifted my focus back to job searching. I’ve already applied for a couple of new roles since then. Hopefully something comes up soon..🙂

@AuntGlow @Oaktree @Ruby26 @tyme @FearofUnknown 

---

Thank you for sharing. I can hear the disappointment yet I can also hear that you would've been the perfect candidate if the internal applicant hadn't returned. Sounds like the stars just didn't align - this time.

Good on you for giving it a go. I know you said you felt a lot more comfortable with this interview than the others. So it's a start. 

At least you know that you can have a say as to whether you will engage in a role or whether you will put it aside because it doesn't 'feel right'. You have full choice and agency.

Your time will come 🙂

So proud of you.

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share that I went to another interview last Friday, I felt like it went well, I felt confident being my fifth or so interview, the conversation flowed naturally, and I didn’t freeze up, which I was proud of. But when I left, I honestly had no idea what the manager thought of me.
I couldn't really tell. However, I got an email today asking for my references... sooo that sounds promising. I don't know if I can fully believe it yet, but reading that email made me feel so excited and a bit terrified (in a positive way). I just feel ready to take that next step...and I have a good feeling about the role too, it felt like this can be something for me.

@tyme @Oaktree @Ruby26 @AuntGlow @FearofUnknown 

@FearofUnknown 
Thank you so much, I appreciate it. I really hope so too, fingers crossed! 
I'll keep you updated. I hope you are doing alright, been thinking of you and your journey. 😊

Fingers crossed @SaltwaterSoul !

If this is the job for you, then you'll get it. 

If not, then it's okay to let it go. 

Even from your posts, I can see your confidence increasing. Thank you for trusting us with your journey. That's so powerful.

I couldn’t wait to share this, I got an offer of employment today, on my birthday! Honestly, exactly what I wished most for… what are the odds?😮

I accepted the offer, I got the job(!!!) I still can’t quite believe it, it feels unreal. It will probably take a few days to truly sink in. Right now I just feel so happy. I know I’ll probably feel super nervous and terrified when I start, but one day at a time. For now, I’m just feeling very grateful and ready to explore this next chapter.😊  I don't know what day I'll start, I have to fill out some paperwork and then do a online module in something, I suppose some sort of training, and then after that I'll be scheduled in for induction, and then after that I'll start working. 👍 One day at the time... puh😄


@tyme @Oaktree @FearofUnknown @Ruby26 @AuntGlow 

---

@SaltwaterSoul wrote:

@AuntGlow 

Sounds like you had a pretty full on but fun time off. I think the reason I felt so confident this time is because I’ve been through a few interviews now, and I’ve had the chance to practise the questions I usually get stuck on. 

Regarding wanting to protect myself, I definitely think it’s partly self-protection. I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes or find myself in a miserable situation again, so my mind tends to analyse everything, sometimes a bit too much. But I guess, it’s all part of the process.

I hope you had a Happy Easter as well.😊

 

 

---

Hello @SaltwaterSoul! How are you? 🥰

This is such a great reflection! And that's exactly it, right? The more exposure we have to navigating a certain situation, the more confidence we feel approaching it again. 

I think the fact you have learned from previous experiences and that you know more about what you do and don't want suggests that things can absolutely be different this time around (even if there are a few speedbumps along the way!). I am sensing the theme of your job search/work life is around 'cultivating self-trust through new experiences'? What are your thoughts on this? ☺️

Edit! I just read your most recent post - whooo! SOOO proud of you! What an amazing day to celebrate you, your efforts, and your growth. Happy Belated Birthday, lovely. Here's to your year of self-reflection and many more years of joy and exploration to come. 🥂🫶

Oh wow!! So cool. @Ruby26 

I am doing some theatre projects at the moment too. 🤩

What is the vibe of the show you are doing (without sharing too much, of course)? And what are you enjoying most about the creative/production process? 

I always enjoy getting to connect with everyone and support them as best as I can. I am studying as well, so always learning and growing. 

What else has been going on for you? ✨

@AuntGlow

Haha yeah, I tagged a quite few people as I just wanted to thank you all for being there on my journey.
Thank you as well, I really appreciate it. You are so kind! 💙

I’m feeling a bit nervous since getting the job. I’ve filled out the paperwork and did the online induction today, and now I’m just waiting to be scheduled for the on-site induction. Yesterday I felt a bit panicked, but I know there were other things going on in the background that contributed to that. I’m going to try to take things day by day, it’s a mindset that I feel works for me, even though at times like yesterday anxiety takes over and it just feels impossible. But I am ready, just scared of starting something new now when it's finally here. Like I spent months waiting for this, and now I just feel like chaos but I am hoping it's going to settle once I get there, and I get to meet everyone, and get shown what to do. 😊

@Oaktree @tyme @FearofUnknown @Ruby26 

@SaltwaterSoul  thanks, this particular show I've been in since February and performances are in July. 

How is everything going for you with the job search now?

@SaltwaterSoul  whooooo! I'm so happy to hear that!!!!!!! You made my day. Congratulations, hope the job is wonderful- you deserve the best 😄

@AuntGlow 

Thanks. It's a very high energy show, lots of dancing and singing. I enjoy the people, the theatre company is very inclusive with a lot of love and empathy in the room. 

My life is mostly practicing and rehearsals right now, place meditation, exercise and support groups. 

What is the vibe of your theatre project? What are you studying? How is everything else going for you? 

@SaltwaterSoul starting a new job is scary, everyone feels that. Day by day sounds like a wise approach. A general rule is to give it a month before you settle into the expectations and routine. Everyone feels lost and overwhelmed the first few weeks. You've got this! 

@SaltwaterSoul 

Congratulations on getting a job. It’s completely normal to feel really nervous/anxious/panicked going into starting a new job. Good luck with it all and don’t forget to breathe.

@SaltwaterSoul , my thoughts are with you. As @Ruby26 said, a new job's also anxiety-provoking. Just remember that they've chosen you for a reason. Take some deep breaths, shoulders back and walk into that place, ready to conquer!

We believe in you!

Hey @Ruby26 ! Great to 'see' you too! What have you been up to?> Dancing?

@tyme nice to hear from you too. Yeah, three rehearsals a week plus practice at home: singing and dancing is my life right now. 🙂 

How have things been going for you? Are you doing any projects? 

Thank you everyone, I really appreciate your advice and all the encouragement. It means a lot to me. 😊

I’ve just completed my first proper on-site induction, and it went much better than I expected. I still can’t quite believe I’ve finally got a job especially one that actually excites me. I went in that morning feeling hopeful and left quite tired, but excited.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into a completely new field, but I wanted to give it a go. What made the day even better was that I felt like I could be myself. I didn’t feel judged or pressured to be someone else, which helped me feel more calm, I’ve started to notice that if I get a chance to be in a supportive environment, I’m able to relax more and don’t constantly feel like I need to scan everything around me. I also met some of my team leaders, who were genuinely happy to have me onboard, which was really encouraging.

Now it’s on to more training, and then I’ll be starting buddy shifts...I really think maybe...maybe this can be something for me.. I haven't felt this for a very, very long time... I don't quite want to believe it just yet, but I am hopeful that's all I can say. 🙏💙

@Ruby26 @Oaktree @tyme @AuntGlow @FearofUnknown 

@SaltwaterSoul  oh wow, what an amazing first day! This job sounds perfect, I'm so glad you put yourself out there and found this. It always helps if you feel like you can be yourself. Thanks for the update 🙂 

@Ruby26 

Yeah it was quite alright, feels still a bit unreal but how are you going with everything? 😊

@SaltwaterSoul I'm good, I've been busy with rehearsing for a musical theatre production.  

Go for it @Ruby26 ! Dance all problems and issues away! 

I don't really dance much but I find it so therapeutic. Totally amazing

Wow @SaltwaterSoul . Glad to hear things were better than you anticipated. I know you felt a lot of stress in regards to starting. 

Well done to you. Hope it continues to go well. Is it a full time role? Are you enjoying it so far? Or is it hard to know because you are still in training?

Hi @SaltwaterSoul!

I am so excited to hear more about your job. It's such an amazing feeling to enjoy your workplace, especially one that encourages your authenticity and allows you to learn and grow - huge win! 🥹

Feeling supported absolutely helps us to feel safe, so knowing that you can relax is also such a green flag. 🤩

How has training been so far? 🫶

Ah, that's incredible. @Ruby26 It sounds like home for you. 🥰

I love this routine, what a perfect week of finding joy and regulation in your body. 

The theatre project was very silly, immersive musical theatre. It went really well and definitely got me out of my comfort zone (it's been a while since I have performed in a full show run!). 

I am studying counselling. Are you studying at all?

And everything is going well, actually. Just trying to look at some of my goals for the year... I definitely need to get a car, but I have been avoiding driving (and the costs!). 

I also want to keep exploring as much movement as possible; it's good for my body and my brain. Back to hot yoga, pilates, dance, etc. Maybe pole? What do you do for exercise? 💪

Hi everyone, 

Oh gosh, it’s been a bit of a ride lately. I went to my induction earlier this month, then went away for a couple of weeks on a holiday that had been planned for over a year. (I had a really good time..) I’ve had two training days this week, one on Wednesday and another one today (I'm starting at 4 pm).

When I went in on Wednesday, I felt absolutely terrified because no one had really reached out or confirmed anything with me beforehand. When I arrived, no one seemed to know I was coming, which made me feel really anxious. Somehow I survived..My manager had told me that he was also going on leave, so when I get back he will off, but he assured that someone would write to me before my shift but no one ever did. I tried calling a few times to my new job on the day but couldn’t get through, so I basically just had to show up and say, “Hi, I’m here for training.” Luckily, I had a piece of paper with my training schedule on it, so they handed me over to someone. But honestly, I just felt really alone. I was mostly just shown a place to sit and complete modules and didn’t really get introduced to anyone, got told to introduce myself to others, but it was really hard, I did try a few and they seemed nice. Later on, I was also told the temporary manager from Wednesday won’t be there today/tonight either, so I have no idea who I’ll be meeting when I arrive. I’ve just been told to ask for the leader on duty. 

I’m trying really hard to take things day by day, but it’s difficult when I don’t get much information and have to show up not knowing what’s going to happen. I’ve never worked for a big company before, so all of this is very new to me. I just feel like I have absolutely no idea what’s going on yet. I’m hoping things will start to feel easier once I begin buddy shifts and get to know my team. Right now I just feel panic...because I do really bad when things is not organised, but who knows maybe today/tonight will be different..I really hope so but I won't have too high expectations, just try go with the flow. 😊 Sorry this got really long and boring,, I have missed you all. I hope you all going well?! 😊 Talk soon 

@AuntGlow @Oaktree @tyme @Ruby26 @FearofUnknown 

Awww @SaltwaterSoul . Well done trooper! I 'felt' your emotions when I read the post. To me, it sounded so 'awkward' and strange. No wonder it was anxiety-provoking for you. 

Then again, I've been on the other side of that where I'm supposed to welcome new people and support them through training. And you know what? I do such a crappy job of it because I'm just an anxious! 

I'm not a social person! 

I wonder if this is what the other team members are feeling?

So whilst you are anxious, the others may be even more anxious!

Hun, take a deeeeeep breath and just head in there to complete the training modules that you need.

I was speaking to someone earlier today and it was so funny. She was telling me that when she first started work in a call centre, she sat there and didn't even know how to turn a computer on. She started pressing all these things that weren't even buttons. This was in the 1990s... but I think the feeling is the same!

Thinking of you! You CAN do it!

@tyme 

Haha ohh poor lady yeah, that pretty much sounds like me. No idea about absolutely anything.
The second day was a bit better, though still quite rocky at the start. I felt like I just wanted to go home at some point, but I managed to get through it again somehow. My psych said this will be a huge transition for me, and it will take quite some time, and that I will feel a lot of different emotions, and at times it will be hard to know what feeling to listen to, but to try take things day by day, and be kind to myself. I'll try..

As soon as I finished my modules, I got told to call to a leader on the work phone. I remember shaking with anxiety and having to write down what I needed to say on a piece of paper but I managed it in the end. After that, I finally got a proper sit-down and time to go through things, how things works etc, which helped a bit. I was told I was meant to have a catch-up like that before starting the modules, which would have made a lot more sense. Instead, I had it at the end, which probably why I felt completely panicked not knowing anything. I still have lots of questions, but at least I know a little bit more now. I think it didn't help too that my manager who hired me went on leave, that probably contributed to how everything was handled. 

I’m hoping things will start to make more sense soon, I just feel a bit overwhelmed at the moment. Thank you for believing in me.

 @Oaktree @AuntGlow @Ruby26 @FearofUnknown 

Woohoo @SaltwaterSoul ! What a transition indeed! So after all that, now you know it's not YOU that was the issue, but the way everything was given to you upside down! 

I really want to commend you on your bravery and willingness to stick it out even though it was so hard and you desperately wanted to go home. 

Hopefully it only just gets better @SaltwaterSoul 

We'll wait to hear updates from you.