Hi All,I started worked at one of the Big 4 on the graduate programme. It's been a really tough first year in terms of I'm making quite a few mistakes etc, attention to detail etc. Is this normal? And did any of you make plenty of mistakes when you first started

[quote]Hi All,I started worked at one of the Big 4 on the graduate programme. It's been a really tough first year in terms of I'm making quite a few mistakes etc, attention to detail etc. Is this normal? And did any of you make plenty of mistakes when you first started[/quote]Attention to detail is always an issue with new starters, I had that issue too as did a lot of the new starters who worked for me in later years - you just need to try and focus.

I don't remember making many mistakes (I was a bit more experienced than most graduates, though, and I'm naturally a man of details), but I do remember being eternally knackered. Get as much rest as you can (but try to train a bit to compensate for the sedentarity) and watch your diet?

Thanks everyone. Yh it's something that's getting me really down tbh - I can only hope this is just first year cobwebs. I'm eating well and trying to sleep well (getting at least 9 hrs a night) and still going to the gym. Just work is pretty rubbish at the moment.

Chronic,I joined a Graduate scheme as my first job - felt similar in my first posting. Start thinking hard about the type of roles you may enjoy in the coming promotion or move and aim for that. Its not much, but it will help you feel better. There were some roles going in a different area and thats what I went for once my first year went by and I had a high performance grade behind me (this then helps when you are going for new roles).I loved the new role and was thankful that I did not pack it in. Work hard, get some good grades behind you which then help you to be a bit more of a master of your own destiny.Stay happy, MC job means you are being paid very well compared to many other people across the country. Make sure you use a bit of that money to enjoy and treat yourself, whatever that may be.

Well said - good post

Hi ChronicTry and stay close to some Senior Consultants and Managers on the projects you're on. Get them to check your workings and reports even just informally. It's normal for grads to make mistakes; I find the ones who ask the most questions end up the strongest at the next level. If you do this and 'learn from your mistakes' when things do wrong, then you'll be fine in a year or two.

Most first year grads struggle with attention to detail.- Learn from your mistakes, don't make the same mistake twice. Certainly don't make it 3 times. - Don't treat every response and every deliverable as an exercise in demonstrating how quickly you can respond. Think "what does the reader of my communication need to know and what do I want them to do with that information?" - Discuss and agree the format of your deliverable upfront. - Work on your listening skills. Do not leave the person who has set your work without fully understanding what you need to do. Ask questions to check your understanding and play back the ask to test that you understand.

Also, take notes. When I have people beneath me and I meet them briefly to explain some deliverable or anything I need off them, I do expect them to take notes. If you listen empty handed, I'll be inclined to think you'll forget something. Mind you, don't overdo it. You should understand well enough what the task is just by listening and use pen and paper and whatnot to help your memory, not your understanding. Writing absolutely everything, understanding nothing and then trying to understand later on from your notes is not the best either.Basically, try to work a bit as a waiter. You might hate the comparison, but it does work. If the list is a bit long, consider reading it back to your manager before you go to ensure you haven't forgotten anything and that they've been clear.Also, don't forget that, inevitably, people do form their opinions on you based on subjective perception too. So, again, at least look eager and professional as much as you can.