[Anonymous]

I’m a first year staff working in a big four firm. We haven’t gotten our year end performance evaluations yet but I’m concerned I might get counseled out. Here are the facts. I’ve been on various engagements where my seniors said they were concerned I wasn’t picking up the technical skills. But I also hear this is a normal comment for a staff. After about 7 months I made an improvement plan with my counselor to use on my next engagement as soon as she told me I was below average but not the worst. On my current engagement I met with my senior on day one to discuss expectations and told her I’m doing an improvement plan for my technical skills. The audit is going well and my manager said I’m doing average. My senior also gave me a review and didn’t put any “I’m concerned about” comments. They even extended my booked time for several weeks. I’m thinking maybe my improvement plan is working but this review is reflected in the next fiscal year. I am not booked for more clients after my current one and my counselor didn’t pull me back on her engagements. I emailed HR and they said I have nothing to worry about. Am I an overly concerned staff or should I be worried? What would you do?

[Anonymous]

Here's my 2 cents for what it's worth. The best (and probably the only) place that you should be unloading about your doubts is with close friends/family and (ideally) in a therapist's office. This doesn't mean you're crazy it's just that you don't want your worries about your performance to become a career limiting move.

[Author]

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