Started a New Job

[swmom]

Yesterday, I went to work again for the first time since my daughter was born 9 years ago. I'm working part time in a summer programs office at a private school.
After yesterday and today, I've decided two things:

1. Being a mom does something to the skills you
need to be successful in the workplace.

2. I must be ADD-Inattentive.

Yesterday, one of the women in the office was teaching me to use their phone system. She decided it might be a good idea to "practice." I was all for that, feeling clueless and also anxious about being able to answer
the questions these people might be asking. So, this woman called me from her desk. I answered the phone and hit the wrong button right off the bat and disconnected her. I was really glad this was just "practice." She said let's take it from the top. She called me again. I pushed the right button and answered the phone but messed up the name of the school. Thankfully, oh so thankfully, she had a sense of humor. Anyway, I eventually figured it all out. In fact, the women in the office felt so confident in my abilities that they both left the office for a few minutes to run some errands around the school. I wasn't really sure
this was a good idea. So, all was quiet for a few minutes, and then it happened. The phone rang and it wasn't just practice. I had to answer it, correctly, and act like I knew what I was doing. After all, most of the people were about to trust me with their children for
a whole week this coming summer and needed to feel like they were in good hands. So, I moved closer to
the desk. I started to pick up the handset and noticed
this woman's headset was on. They had told me what
to do to turn it off so I could just answer the phone and I did that, I pushed that little red button. Well, I answered in my most enthusiastic, confident voice, got the name of the school right and everything but there was no one responding. There was no one there. Not even a dial tone. That little red button didn't do what it was supposed to do. Right then, one of the women I work with walked back in. "How's everything going?"
I thought, "Should I be honest?" I decided I should.
The woman, knowing it was my first day, said "Oh, that's OK, we've got caller ID. I'll check it right
now." Well, she did. So who was calling when no one answered the phone in our office? The headmaster, the guy we work for! Oh man.... I expected yesterday to be a little rough and it was. Today was even worse. Hopefully, I'll get the hang of things pretty soon.

Has anyone else had a rough first day at a new job? My husband did. He showed up for work in coat and tie, polished shoes and everything, on the first day of the new casual dress code.

[aimee30]

I had the most difficult first day at the job I held the longest. I worked there for almost 6 years. Hated it, but needed the money. Unfortunately I have no degree so factory work is what I usually have to do.

Anyway, I worked in the factory that makes diapers and feminine hygiene products. The first day they put me on a machine that put out about 306 pads a minute. The boxes they went in were flat, so I had to try to master the art of opening them get them on this little metal shoot and catch 24 pads. Then I had to fold in some of the flaps on the box and set it on a moving sealer. The set a box under my feet for the ones I couldn't catch (a whole lot of them). I eventually mastered it although it took me about 4 days to do. Everyone said it was the hardest pad machine in the factory.

The first few days I stood in pads up to my knees in 102 degree F weather. No air conditioning.

I came home and cried my eyes out. I hurt all over. Didn't want to go back but had to. We needed the money.

Don't give up. You will eventually get the hang of things. Until then keep your chin up and try not to worry too much. You'll be fine! Congratulations on the new job!

[swmom]

aimee -

Pads up to your knees! Oh, what a way to begin a new job. I can just picture that, sweat pouring from every inch of you.

I wasn't sweating physically yesterday or today but I was mentally.

[Linda]

swmom...With your attitude you are going to do great.

[Honeysmom]

You'll do great. I had a bad first day too. I used to work in a factory, and I was the only girl on my shift. I was really scared when I finally made the move to third shift since I was the only girl. On my first night I was asked a question I could not anwser and I said, "I don't know." The guy who was training me said that I have to stop working until I figure out how to anwser it. (He wanted me to ask someone else, but I panicked)Needless to say, I called home at 3 AM balling, telling DH I was quitting. He told me no, get thicker skin, I can cry in the morning. It really got better after that. Everyone was afraid that they were going to make me cry!!

It ended up being the best job I ever had. You'll do great once you get the hang of it. Good Luck...Becky

[Jorgy]

You are doing great! Nobody expects a newbe to take right off. Give it at least a week and yu'll be doing it in your sleep. When I started my current job I had no idea how to use the phone or the computer. On the 3rd day I got a suicide call, talk about jumping right into the fire! Bad as that was I am glad I wasn't knee deep in pads!Sue

[rosyred45]

Congrats on your new Job!!

I'm sorry, but you all make me feel better since I work with kids!! Although hubby works in a flooring plant, ao does my dad, my Brother in Law, a few dozen cousins.....

Any how, don't worry none, my dad and husband don't always see eye to eye. So yesterday my dad, who is in charge of safety at the plant, decided he was goin gto do an evaluation of safety procedures. HMMMMMM wanna guess who he picked?

I just hope hubby passed ;D
Kaiti

[finnmom]

SWMOM
Gongratulation´s
You´re gonne be fine! It though even if you come back from a little brake like my mother´s leave, 9 mo´ts and I´d totally forgot everything ;D O´kay, not everything but the code of being in work, how thing´s go on, what is the smoothest way.... Good luck!
Marja

[swmom]

Thanks, everyone, for your encouraging words. Today, my third day on the job, was much, much better.

[Amsmom]

YEAH SWMOM!!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!