Quit Job On My Second Day

[Broken_Sanity]

Hey, first time posting on here

Recently, my job agency organised a trial day for me at a particular store and was under the impression that they were not going to make me serve customers from behind the counter, which they did.

The day after the trial I had got a phone call from my job agency telling me that they had given me the job and to start on Tuesday (7 days after trial), which was overwhelming as everything seemed to be happening so fast. Despite getting the position, I didn't have the courage to tell them that I didn't feel comfortable with a job that involved having to constantly serve and interact with customers.

I'm going to have to go to a new job agency now, as they called me up today and mentioned that they are going to be getting a transfer form for me on my next appointment. Which is fine, they weren't the most helpful people outside of getting me this one job. I'm also pretty sure my decision not to continue working is going to affect my payments, but that is my own fault.

My main concern is my family though. I've definitely let them down as they were pleased and proud to have heard that I had been giving an opportunity to work. I'm also a little angry with myself.

I want to try and find work to make it up to everyone but don't really know what type of job I want to do that is low stress and doesn't require customer service. Doe's anyone have any suggestions?

[Broken_Sanity]

**FORGOT TO MENTION IN THE POST THAT I HAD BEEN ONCE MORE AFTER GETTING THE JOB AND TOLD THEM THE NEXT DAY THAT I DON'T WANT TO GO ANYMORE**

[Ken1]

Hi Broken Sanity,

Firstly, I think that what you have attempted to do is worthy of pride, not guilt or shame! Despite backing out of the job, you took a step by going to a trial and one day of work, and in my experience, scary things become less scary the more you do them.

I would love to offer a few suggestion points:

- Make clear with your agency and place of potential employment what you are willing to do. There's no use getting away with hiding it. In the long run, it's easier to make sure that everyone knows what they're gettig themselves into. You also want to increase your levels of comfort as much as possible and this is a great way to do that.

- You are not worthy of blame when you merely attempted to do something beneficial for yourself! Because you couldn't follow through doesn't mean that you failed or let anyone down because you'll get back up and go at it again! You're not throwing in the towel and vowing to never work again. You said no to a job because you didn't feel comfortable and I think that's honest and brave.

- I don't know if you're seeing a psychologist/counsellor but something really worthy of learning is self compassion. This changed my whole world when I learnt how to achieve it.

- Don't work for anyone else but yourself. You can't control anyone else's expecations of you. You can, however, control your expectations of yourself.

I also would love to know what exactly you found overwhelming about starting the job? You mention that you felt it was happening too fast. If possible, can you list the things that scared you? Not even for this forum if you don't want to, but maybe just by yourself? Might help in overcoming some of those fears/whatever they may be!

In terms of a low stress job without customer service, you'd probably be looking at a cleaning position, a delivery driver (if you drive) - I know that this is pretty low stress and has minimal customer contact compared with many other jobs. It also totally depends on your motive for getting a job. Do you just want money/somethinng to occupy your time or do you want it to take you somewhere?

Would LOVE to talk more.

Bonnie

[Blue_Jane]

Hi there

You obviously made a positive impression to be given the job after one trial day. Well done and take this as a win.

Sounds like you are being very hard on yourself. Your family just want the best for you and they probably understand that this role wasn't for you.

In terms of work, what have you done in the past that you enjoyed? Do you know anyone with a job that sounds interesting - you could ask them more about that particular type of work. Maybe ask your family and friends what they think you would be good at.

I think it is more about finding work that you enjoy, then it won't feel as stressful. Many organisations have administration or processing type work which doesn't require interaction with customers, but would still require interaction with your team and manager.

Is there a particular industry that interests you? E.g. hospitality, sport or property?

Blue Jane

[Broken_Sanity]

Thank you for your response!

I have done Scaffolding and Embroidery in the past, although they were only temporary favours for my Fathers friends and nothing permanent.

As for something I would enjoy doing for work; probably something that doesn't really involve much interaction. I have been suggested restocking shelves at our local grocery store late at night, that way there aren't many people around. Although that doesn't sound like the most exciting job in the world, it sounds like something that could be manageable for the time-being, until I am more comfortable working around more people/customers.

[Broken_Sanity]

Hey,

Serving customers was one of the main reasons I did not feel comfortable working there. Especially when the line of people gets way to large and is very overwhelming for me. I'm even uncomfortable when speaking with my own family (uncles, aunties, cousins, step-parents, step-siblings), so imagine me with people I have never met before.

I'm very concerned that I should have just tried to stick the job out a little longer, regardless of the amount of stress it was putting on me. Of course, that wasn't my frame of mind at that time of leaving.

As for psychologist and counsellors; I was seeing a psychologist once a fortnight for 12 months a few years back and it seemed to have some positive results. I have also seen a social worker and he was great. Unfortunately I didn't do one of goals he had set for me and I didn't go back because I worried about what he would think.

[Quercus]

Hi Broken Sanity,

How do you feel about plants? Any chance you have a green thumb? Plant production in a nursery can be so rewarding. Yes you'll have to deal with other staff members but I find working with plants very therapeutic. It also gets you working outdoors and doing something physical.

There are jobs out there for introverted people it's just a pain that they don't pay very well most of the time.

There is no shame in admitting you aren't comfortable in a particular job. I hope you just keep looking and thinking about what you are good at and how you can make your skills into a career.

Do you think it will help you if everyone on here puts an idea for a potential job with limited contact with customers?

[Ellie05]

Hi Broken Sanity,

Please don't feel bad about having not stuck it out at your job. Pretty much everyone finds themselves in a job that they are miserable in at some stage and dragging out the process can do more harm than good. I think you did the best thing for yourself by getting out as quickly as possible as the sooner you get out, the sooner you can started on finding the right job for you. I found working to be the best thing to help me overcome my social anxiety but it was the interactions with fellow colleagues that helped build my confidence. The relationship with clients and customers is mostly transactional and sometimes they can be rude or unreasonable, which can be very difficult to deal with if you're not yet at a stage of being confident in dealing with other people.

I think you should get back in touch with that social worker, he/she was probably more disappointed to have you stop seeing then they would have been to learn you didn't achieve your set goal. Their job is to help you and that's really all they want to do. We set goals so we have something to aim for, but this doesn't mean we're a failure if we don't score every time. Your social worker will understand that the process takes time and maybe you just weren't ready for whatever goal they put in place.

In terms of jobs there are plenty that don't require customer interaction. I think shelf stacking would be a good one (I heard it pays better than customer service) and if they let you listen to music when you stack then it wouldn't be so boring. Construction jobs also pay well, maybe ask your dad if there are any more odd jobs going and then you can get referrals from those you complete jobs for and go from there. You could even try to get an apprenticeship for a trade such as an electrician or plumber (both pay well). Other options I can think of are kitchen hand, clerical work (such as book keeping or data entry) or if you're interested in tech, computer programming and web development. You'd need to do a TAFE course in IT but well worth it if this is an area of interest. Another good idea would be to check out the website Airtasker - people advertise one off jobs and you can make a bit of cash whilst getting a feel for the things that interest you.

[Broken_Sanity]

Hey!

Yeah. I have considered working in landscaping or something that involves animals. They sound like they would be somewhat stress free and provide a more therapeutic environment.

Hopefully others giving suggestions that are in similar situations as me could be helpful in seeing what type of work they used to help them feel more comfortable.

[Broken_Sanity]

Getting back in contact with my support worker would be a good idea and I have contemplated doing so in the past. They definitely helped me more than anyone else I have seen and weren't too pushy when it came to things.

I'm not too sure that construction jobs are right for me. My Dad, Uncle and Grandfather were all carpenters and had got me to do some work for them when I was in high school and most of the people they contracted were very rough people.