I’ve worked as a technical writer for 6 years, and I know the industry inside and out. Half a year ago I saw an opening for a product manager at a company where I’ve previously worked as a contractor, and I applied more out of curiosity than serious ambition. To my surprise, I passed all the interviews and got the job! I absolutely love it, and the rise in my salary was significant, but it’s almost 6 months now, and I have to work longer hours and often have some tasks left for weekends. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, and my team knew about my lack of experience when they hired me. We have a true startup culture when everyone wears many hats at once, and we’re supposed to learn new things on the go. Well, either I’m too old for it, or I’m just not coping :( Most of my teammates have had similar roles on their previous jobs, they are years ahead of me… During our weekly video calls, when we discuss the agenda and what has been done, I feel like a schoolboy who is just learning to read. Everyone has millions of questions and suggestions, while my mind can hardly process it all. I’m doing my best, but is it enough? I’d be ashamed to lose my job, I’ve never failed it so hard before!
Maybe someone can share a few mental tricks to cope with nerves?
