Training on the job

amother

OP ↓

Tue, Nov 05 2024, 2:28 am

Does that mean you are on your own after very basic training and ask for help if you need, or does it mean you have a colleague actively training you?

I have taken on a a very broad job, most of which is new to me and I got a very basic training when I started. There is not really anyone to ask- I have to get in touch with the person I took over from and have been left to muddle my way through it and it doesn’t feel good.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Nov 05 2024, 3:42 am

singleagain wrote:

What about your boss? Can you go to them and ask explain that you don't feel adequately prepared or that you still have a lot of questions

I have done. They seem satisfied that I just get in touch with the worker I took over from.

amother

NeonPink

Tue, Nov 05 2024, 4:07 am

I got more comprehensive training. I navigate a lot on my own now, but 2 months later and my boss still answers a lot of my questions.
He tells me it is better to ASK than assume I know the answer, which can lead to mix ups if not followed.

amother

Trillium

Tue, Nov 05 2024, 4:23 am

Why would the old worker want to keep answering your questions. That is not an ideal setup imo. Does your boss know the answers and just prefers u ask the old worker?

Elfrida

Tue, Nov 05 2024, 4:53 am

amother OP wrote:

Old worker can’t always talk on the phone and takes hours to reply to messages.

There was a post recently asking how much she needs to be available to answer questions from a new employee, after she has trained the employee in. The general consensus, was that she could be nice, but it wasn't her responsibility any more.

Is there anyone else in the company who you could ask?

ora_43 ↓

Tue, Nov 05 2024, 5:06 am

A good manager will make sure you get help from them or a coworker (NOT an ex-employee, a current employee) any time you're doing a new task.

With an exception for things that can easily be found online.

So for example if my boss says "please prepare a powerpoint for the X conference" I would expect her or a coworker to be available to talk me through what exactly is needed for the X conference - are there any special guidelines, what material needs to be presented, etc. But I wouldn't expect them to talk me through things like how to design slides nicely in powerpoint, since all that is online.

(although if I had a pinpoint problem and couldn't find the solution within a few minutes, eg 'why is the formatting off in hebrew even after I switch the text direction,' I'd see if a coworker had a minute to help)

↑ ora_43

Tue, Nov 05 2024, 5:20 am

Your boss sounds a bit too hands-off. It might help to give him choices / be very direct about what you need.

Eg, "I'm really excited to get going with this job, but I find I'm still running into a lot of questions. (Old Worker) can't really help anymore - she's moved on to new things, and doesn't have time to help with training.

"Mostly I feel uncertain about X, Y, and Z" (eg "which tasks I should be prioritizing," "how to enter new clients into the system," "which tasks are my responsibilities, and which I should be forwarding on to (coworker).") "Could we meet for an hour sometime this week to go over it? Or could (senior coworker) maybe help me with this? If someone could walk me through this face-to-face, I think it would really help."

If a boss is kinda spacey, statements like "I'm not sure I get this" or "I'm still a little confused" can be hand-waved away with "I'm sure it'll be fine" or "Ask so-and-so." A very specific request ("I don't know what template I should be using for ___, do you have a few minutes at ___ time") is more likely to get through. Just my experience fwiw.