Might be about to be let go. What now?

That's a great start Greytwriter. I love your attitude. Your bosses will too. Good luck!!!!

 

On the plus side, must be nice to work at a paper with bosses who have enough free time to pick a page full of nits.

 

Bumping this because it's been a month, and thought it was just more effective than starting a new thread.

The good news: I am still employed.

The bad news: Although my bosses feel I have gone above and beyond (their words), in some areas they wanted improvement on, they still are finding issues overall, and I'm still not up to par. I'd say whatever confidence I had in trying to take the right attitude towards the PIP and work hard is about gone. I'm getting to be hard on myself if I can't catch things just as much as my bosses are. For example, this morning, someone pointed out to me privately "Oh there's a typo here!" I corrected it, but I felt angry with myself that I didn't catch it in the first place. On my last review, my bosses were still noting every error, even the ones they labeled as "minor," and talked to me about how I'm making our brand look bad. I also got dinged for not accepting a request within five minutes, even though I took a second project a few minutes after the first request.

It was frustrating, but there is a second piece of good news: I had a job interview on Friday at a nonprofit doing work that's outside the field. I had to explain to the hiring manager why I wanted the position even though it was outside my background. I told her about my transferable skills/experiences, what I liked about the organization and explained my current job was no longer a fit. Fortunately, she seemed to accept the answer about my current position and didn't push for anymore details. I think the conversation went well, and I'll know the middle or end of this week if I get it. The pay would be lower, which is understandable for going to a smaller organization/nonprofit, but I feel ready to start again and really break out of media. There would still be evenings and weekends if the organization has an event, but otherwise, it's a Monday-Friday work week.

Overall, I think my brain is on overload, especially now that the pressure is on and my bosses really do look at every last thing I do. I've decided that if I can't find another offer and they do fire me, it would almost be a relief at this point because I'm banging my head against the wall trying a bunch of things that aren't really working.

 

First off, congrats on the interview. Hope it works out.

Second, don't believe their bullshit about how your mistakes are making the brand look bad. These are the same clowns who will tell you that it's a team effort when you do something well.

 

Good luck, Greyt.

Some people aren't cut out to be copy editors. Your brain may not process the typos very well. It may just be reading the copy like you think it's supposed to be. It's not for everyone.

It'd hate to have my job hanging on catching every freaking error. Too much pressure.

Hope the nonprofit works out.

 

I hope bumping this isn't obnoxious. My story does not have a happy ending, as I was let go on Monday.

I went out of town last week to house-sit for a relative and took time off to clear my head. (At least it was paid vacation time.) When I came back on Monday morning, I was called into a meeting and let go right then and there. I was told I did not improve to my boss's standards. I am not sure if they meant I did improve but not enough for them, or if they felt I didn't improve at all. The worst part was before the meeting, my boss left me two phone messages and a text only a few minutes apart to get me to him. I turn my cell phone at night (to clear up confusion, I worked virtually) and my job never required me to have my phone on 24/7, so that was really...odd. He could've just e-mailed me.

Honestly, I was really upset and still feel a little stressed out. Obviously, I'm sure some of you know that being unemployed is stressful, so no need to talk too deeply about that. I'm also upset because I always have thought sports media is where I'd succeed and really love doing. Now I'm starting to consider either other segments of the sports business. And not to mention, being kind of beat up the last few months left me a little scarred. I was told flat out I had no room to grow in the company and that my boss wasn't going to tolerate anything else from me. I was also lectured for making their brand look terrible. I was so nervous to make even one more mistake that I think that affected my performance. I even lost a grandparent during the PIP period, which only helped me further realize I'd be better off getting a fresh start since I barely felt like I could grieve. I was still being picked on.

In a way, I am relieved. I'm free from the constant scrutiny and some of the other problems in the company. I have weekends free again...for now. I can take care of myself and attend to some things I didn't when I was burned out and depressed.

I do take responsibility for what happened, since I know it seems like I'm blaming my bosses. Back when I started my job, I was really looking for something in my field and I thought because I was a solid writer, I'd make a good editor. I also got so career driven that I lost focus in my current role because a lot of colleagues were moving up the ladder or finding cool jobs outside the company. I was turned down for an internal promotion long before my PIP because the hiring manager felt I was capable of the job, but didn't have enough experience. My focus on moving up really derailed me when it should've been on doing the job I had, working to improve and being valuable to my manager. In my next job, I will focus on whatever role it is I get hired for and work on being the best I can be in that position.

I do not intend on being a copy editor ever again. I'm not sure what I'm going to do next. I've considered other segments of the sports industry or doing writing/communications away from sports. I don't really think I'm up for another sports media position. I also had an interview two weeks ago in another industry altogether, and the company has good benefits and normal business hours. The hiring managers are still making a decision, so I'll have to be patient a little while longer.

That said...I've been unemployed for all of two days and I'm restless already. I feel kind of unproductive without a place to go...

 

Sorry to hear it, but it sounds like you have a decent outlook on it. I can't imagine that stress, though in this business I'll probably feel it at some point. As I said before, fearing making a mistake is the worst way to go about copy editing (or any job really), and a good boss should know this. It sounds like you weren't cut out for the job, but your management doesn't seem to have done you any favors because it doesn't seem like they did a lot to HELP you improve. And as you said, you need to show you can do the job you have better than anyone else before you'll be considered for advancement. Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

Damn. Sorry to hear that man.
I hope you are relieved. And move on to better things.
Keep us posted!
If I can help, let me know.

 

This. Let me add getting put on blast in the middle of the newsroom. That happened to me.

Ultimately, sounds like you are better off. I didn't see a single post on here that indicated they intended to keep you. I've been in chaotic situations and the folks who stayed received "fix this" and the folks who were let go received "You must get better" lectures and I can't think of a single exception.

 

Sorry to hear it. BDC is right in that, while you did have your issues, your bosses did you no favors. The "making our brand look terrible" is a load of bullshit, since, I'm sure, there are other people who work there who make mistakes too, and people there who were making more money than you who are responsible for making the brand strong enough so that a mere mistake isn't going to derail the whole thing.

As for being restless, it's understandable. Do things to keep you busy, such as volunteering, or freelancing. Plus, maybe you can concentrate more on your part-time job that you said that you had.

 

Sorry to hear about this, 1GreytWriter. Usually when you get out of a bad situation, it takes you a while to realize it's for the better that you're out of it. It seems like you're already there. Hopefully something good comes along soon.

 

Grey, relax and decompress for a week.
Then go find a job that lets you have fun again.