Upper-Ebb-8700's journey

I recently went through a tough experience at a marketing agency where I was put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) after receiving months of positive feedback. I had joined the company on a fixed-term contract with no prior marketing experience, but they hired me because they liked my willingness to learn. Initially, I received a lot of praise and even passed my probation period in just one month. However, things took a turn, and I found myself unexpectedly on a PIP, which ultimately led to my departure. Reflecting on my time there, I can't help but wonder if the workplace culture played a significant role in my experience. I tend to be reserved when I first join a new environment, but I can become quite social and confident once I feel comfortable. In my current role in corporate finance, I've noticed a stark contrast. Here, I have a supportive manager and great colleagues, which has helped me thrive despite having no prior experience in the field. During my time at the marketing agency, I faced some challenges, including a colleague calling me 'clueless' for asking questions and a director who had initially been friendly suddenly becoming cold. This left me confused, especially after receiving such positive feedback early on. Now, I'm anxious about future job opportunities and worry that I might find myself in a similar situation again. I wonder if certain industries, particularly marketing, are more prone to these dynamics where personality and social interactions significantly impact one's success. Can being slightly introverted truly disadvantage someone, even if they are professional and capable? Or is it more about the specific company culture and management style? These questions linger in my mind as I navigate my career.

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?