Today, I reflected on my past experiences with anxiety stemming from a previous job. I once worked at a marketing agency on a fixed-term contract, despite having no background in marketing. They chose me for my enthusiasm and willingness to learn, but I received minimal training and had to navigate most challenges on my own. Initially, I passed my probation with positive feedback, but then I was unexpectedly placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). The situation was confusing; I felt unsupported by colleagues who often ignored my requests for help, and one even called me 'clueless' for asking questions. A director who had been friendly during the interview turned cold, leaving me unsure if I genuinely underperformed or if there were other issues at play. This experience left me anxious about my work performance, making me hyper-aware of my colleagues' perceptions. Now, I’m in a completely different role in corporate development/M&A, where I thrive under a supportive manager and have great colleagues. Yet, I still worry that my next job might mirror my past negative experience. I want to understand how to differentiate between genuine underperformance and being in a poorly managed environment. I’m also curious if these experiences vary by industry or company culture. Has anyone else transitioned between such different environments and found a stark contrast in their experiences?