Career Clinic: I'm having a crisis of confidence

Yes, things will definitely get better, so no need to worry. We all remember what those first seats are like, and to be entirely honest, you will probably start to feel comfortable after around six months! Then, into the next seat and the cycle will repeat itself. It's important to stay calm. When you are given work, the responsible lawyer will have taken into account that you will be slow at first - it's natural, and if the person you work for is nice enough, you will have little to worry about. Having said that, when you do get new work, make sure you ask about its urgency, and if a lot of your work comes from one person, ask its priority in relation to the other work they have given you. I recently relocated to a new practice area as a third-year associate, and those feelings of being lost, not knowing what to do and the confidence crisis all came rushing back. The key is to handle the pressure responsibly, talk to colleagues and see if they can give some advice on what you are required to do. Remember, the work we do as lawyers does not necessarily always strictly follow common sense, and someone may be able to tell you in two minutes what it may take you an hour to figure out on your own.Having said that, use colleagues only whenever really necessary, perhaps befriend one of the associates so that you can speak to them over lunch etc.It will get better! Stick at at!

Anonymous -23 Oct 2008 | 04:14

No, you are not. I remember spending a significant part of my first few weeks of my training contract in the ladies in tears. But it passes. Remember, no-one actually expects a trainee to know anything, so you probably feel you are being slow when you are not. Some tips: (i) when someone gives you work, don't leave their office until you understand exactly what they want, even if you have to ask five times: it is better than going back later (although you still should if you are really stuck) or getting it wrong, (ii) ask when the work is needed by: not everything is urgent, (iii) if you do not have capacity, say no: it is better than not doing the work in time or doing it badly, (iv) if you have two pieces of work and it is going to be impossible to get both done in the time, ask the associates you are working for to speak to each other and agree the priority of your work, (v) update people regularly on how the work is going and (if relevant) why it is taking longer. Good luck.

Associate -23 Oct 2008 | 10:39

I felt exactly the same when I started my training contract at a City firm 15 years ago (I survived and am still in practice). It really does get better! Be keen to help, seek clarification as many times as you need to and be careful to be accurate with your work and you will be fine. Hang in there! I remember thinking at the time that I was the only trainee who felt like this, until I got to know some of the other trainees better over drinks after a few weeks and it turned out that everyone felt the same way.

Eddie -23 Oct 2008 | 11:13

January is always interesting in relation to first-seat trainees. After the Christmas break, trainees are starting to see types of work for the second or third time. Typically they become more confident as a result; the combination of confidence and some experience makes them better able to deal with harder work, and to ask the right questions when work is given to them. Hang on in there!Learning not to look like a rabbit in front of headlights is a useful skill for all levels of lawyers though, and I wonder if you need to work on that?

Anonymous -23 Oct 2008 | 17:22

Expect three doses of 'crisis of confidence' of in your career - first when you start as a trainee, secondly when you qualify and you think everyone thinks you should know what you are doing, and thirdly when you reach partnership level or thereabouts and suddenly you are supposed to be a rainmaker bringing in £££ of business every week! Or perhaps there is also a fourth one I don't know about yet, when you get old and less switched on and start to lose your marbles (or maybe you don't care by that stage, here's hoping!)

Cynical Cynthia -24 Oct 2008 | 17:29

It may not actually be you - if you are getting unclear instructions it may be being done deliberately by your supervisor - I had this problem as a paralegal with a supervising partner, and knowing you are getting half instructions, wrong instructions means you should go above the person to the department supervising partner and ask for another person to assist you - I did: the senior partner asked me to liaise with another trainee who, believe it or not, was crystal clear. Don't presume that because someone is up the ranking and over and above you that they are actually intelligent - there is massive gap between clever and intelligent. However, if you recognise that your lack of understanding is down to your own inability then doing something about it is clearly a good thing - but landing a wide boy in the poo is concerning supervision may just mean that the firm give the person the push that they obviously need, howsoever reluctant they are to push certain people out of the firm. Ask around, are other trainees experiencing the same from this supervisor - you may find it is historical and they have been getting away with it for years. Nothing ever surprises me anymore.

ANON -25 Oct 2008 | 16:56

We have all been there. You won't be the first one (or the last one) to feel this way. So don't worry - things will definitely get better.

Anonymous -27 Oct 2008 | 03:10

I would reiterate that whilst it probably feels overwhelming, the *most important thing* is to ensure that you understand precisely what you are being asked to do. No matter if you have to go back repeatedly - it may be a touch irritating for your supervisor at the time, but certainly less so than explaining to the client why everything's gone belly up!I work with people (trainees and NQs) now who say they understand, but come the deadline didn't and were afraid to ask. At least in my book, you will gain more respect for wanting to fully understand what you're being asked to do than blundering on regardless.

Anonymous -29 Oct 2008 | 10:34

I am a first-seater and feel exactly the same way you do. It takes me so long to read and actually understand things. Plus so many people ask me to do things that its difficult to finish anything substantive in good time. It WILL get better...

1seater -29 Oct 2008 | 22:48

I am a second-seater. It does get better. As others have said though - get the deadline for each piece of work before leaving the associate's office. It's vital if you want to stay sane.

Anonymous -04 Nov 2008 | 15:55

Things get better, honestly. It may be that you are just not suited to that seat. It may be that the work is quiet. It may be that you are working in a 'difficult' team. Most trainees just need a bit of support and training. Don't be too hard on yourself. Things will be better. If not, there are a world of other professions out there!

In-House -08 Nov 2008 | 19:51

"It may not actually be you - if you are getting unclear instructions it may be being done deliberately by your supervisor - I had this problem as a paralegal with a supervising partner, and knowing you are getting half instructions, wrong instructions means you should go above the person to the department supervising partner and ask for another person to assist you - I did: the senior partner asked me to liaise with another trainee who, believe it or not, was crystal clear."Too, too true - I had almost exactly the same experience.

Tim -17 Feb 2009 | 04:21