I was a student for many years (5 years of undergrad, 2.5 years of grad school), and I became very comfortable with always being able to look at the syllabus and my grade and know what I needed to do and how well I was performing. Work isn’t like that. Like I think is normal, I get a performance review once a year. I find this unsettling, because even though I come in and do decent work, I still often feel like I’m doing something “wrong” and worry that I’m secretly on the cusp of being fired. Folks who have maybe been working for longer than I have, how do you feel and stay confident in your work?
I am in a similar situation in that I often feel like I'm doing things wrong and could be reprimanded at any time. This is not how work is supposed to be structured, even by ghouls. Good managers give clear expectations, and regular, informal feedback. This actually makes their jobs better, because when people are comfortable they don't hide problems - which is an action that can lead to huge failures later on.
So, I think what you're experiencing is common, and is a byproduct of poor management. I have had good managers and the difference in work culture is astounding. One can be confident at work with good management.
Otherwise, you just have to assume you're doing a good job, or you can actually just ask for clearer definition of goals and tasks, which might help.
I have had good managers and the difference in work culture is astounding.
I second this. My last manager was absolutely fantastic! Hands down the best manager I’ve had, we constantly had informal chats so I knew where I stood and what I could improve upon. He was also really good at pushing you a little further than you thought you could and would then help you grow a whole bunch.
Well, I can review my own performance more regularly, for one. I know what my sales numbers are and what they should be and what my coworkers' numbers are. As long as I'm in the top third I'm satisfied, as long as I'm in the top two and my take-home is at or above the previous year's for the same month I'm happy.
I also solicity feedback from both management and patrons and while management always wants to be able to give criticism, you can tell when they're searching; patrons are more honest and immediate.
But I've been working a long time.
For you, you can request more frequent performance reviews or coaching. Any decent manager will respond positively (if not actually helpfully) to that sort of request. Do you have a mentor in the workplace? They can also give feedback and coaching.
What helps me is working with and helping new hires. Showed me how far I have come and how much I have grown.
Fake it til you make it. And by this I don't mean this in the actual work,but more the attitude. Several others have mentioned imposter syndrome. Same here, and I'm in IT. A space that's impossible for any single person to know everything. Find what you're good at, and dig in like school. Once you're good with the work, you'll be good AT the job.