Is this a me problem, boss problem, or job scope problem? (BD role, 2.5 months in and already exhausted)
Need some honest opinions because I really don’t know if I’m the problem or I joined a toxic environment.
I joined as a Business Development Manager about 2.5 months ago. During the interview, my boss knew I’m new to this exact role. My boss told me will guide me and “won’t let me drown”.
But from Day 1, no joke, 2 hours after collecting my laptop, I was already brought out to meet clients.
No proper onboarding, no time to understand systems or processes. I was shocked but thought maybe BD role is like that.
The company systems are very old and inefficient. A lot of steps just to complete one simple task. During Christmas period, I was tasked to order hampers for clients. Sounds simple right? But the system and process were very complicated. My boss just forwarded me past emails and told me to “follow how they did it last time”. No walkthrough, nothing. So I took quite some time figuring things out myself.
After Christmas, CNY came. I have to order hampers all over again and I was made part of the CNY dinner committee by my boss in my FIRST month. A lot of meetings and coordination involved. Other colleagues even told me they were shocked I was given this “sai gang” when I just joined less than 2 months.
At the same time:
I had to chase clients for forms that were supposed to be settled even before I joined.
Clients being clients, many delay and give excuses.
Still need to maintain relationships.
And expected to bring in new clients.
I told my boss honestly that I have a lot of admin work and asked what should be the priority because if I do everything at the same time there will be surely some trade-offs. My boss reply:
“There will not be trade-offs. It’s how you manage your time. If 9–6 not enough, you need to put in extra hours.”
My boss even suggested I meet clients during office hours and do admin at night.
Side note: My boss is a workaholic. 11pm on weekends also sending emails.
Later I found out the previous person in my role had an admin to handle all these admin tasks so he could focus on sales. When I asked about it, my boss shut me down and said don’t compare.
I try to keep work within 9–6 unless urgent. To my boss, this means I am not committed and have no drive.
My boss set up weekly 1-on-1s. 90% of the meeting is my boss telling me I’m inefficient and incompetent. Every week I feel like my confidence dropping. My boss even scheduled my probation appraisal meeting on CNY eve. And also told me that will not confirm me because I am incompetent.
Example:
– I missed a client call once, called back within an hour. She said “it’s fine”, but keeps bringing it up.
– I drafted a professional rejection email for a request not under my scope. I showed her before sending, she approved. Client complained to her after that. She then said I should be more tactful.
Now I’m only 2+ months in and already mentally exhausted. Constantly questioning myself.
So I really want to ask:
Is this normal for BD roles?
Am I really incompetent and just not cut out for this?
Or is this a toxic boss / unrealistic expectations situation?
Be honest please. I can take it. I just need clarity because right now I feel like I’m drowning instead of being guided.