What parts of your job do you find challenging

Hi Anaya,

My job requires me to work with many different people on a daily basis. This can be challenging as they may not react to situations (i.e. stress, deadlines, new challenges, scheduling etc.) the same way I do. However, once you get to know how they like to work, you can tailor the team dynamic to fit everyone. For example, my co-worker does not like to work in the mornings. This can be frustrating when there is an early meeting or a deadline later that day. However, they do not mind working late to compensate for their late arrival. Although this is a schedule I do not prefer, they always get their work done before the deadline and will call into any early meetings so they do not miss important information. The key is open communication!

Hello, Anaya,

I'd like to add on to the two responses you already received. For context, I work as an auditor for PwC - a large professional services firm. The aspects of my job that I find most challenging probably boils down to one thing: balancing competing priorities. I am currently working on two large clients in different industries and different cities. Finding time to respond to questions, emails, and continuing to move work for both jobs is no easy task. The firm I work for also places a high priority on lifelong learning, so finding time to keep up with updated accounting guidance, firm policies, and mastering new digital/analytical tools is also difficult. Finally, finding the balance between work and personal priorities can also be problematic.

I think balancing competing priorities is a common problem in the professional services industry but, often, problems can lead to opportunity. Working on different clients and commitment to continually learning new skills are both tremendous way to grow professionally. Broadening your network, helping solve unique problems, gaining experience in new industries, and mastering digital skills are all fantastic resume builders. PwC and other similar companies are also empowering employees to work more flexibly (i.e. remote work, flexing hours, generous vacation/firm holidays). The key to addressing these challenges is to know your priorities and communicate them to your team so that you can maximize your performance at work and your satisfaction with your personal life.

I hope this helps - good luck!

The single most challenging part of my job is to get people to come to an agreement.

Most day-to-day tasks are carried out on a system or an application or some sort, and that is the easy part. You can always figure out, sooner or later, how to make it work. At the end of the day, it is people that are going to use your services and solutions and answers. I don't mean to imply people are difficult - just that people are different, and everyone has different priorities to fulfill, different leadership to answer to, different business process to adhere to, and different delivery expectations.

Add to that different personalities, different time zones, different locations - and the problem becomes exponentially more challenging.

I must add, however, that whenever I'm able to do it - being people together and agree to something collectively, this is actually the most rewarding aspect of my job as well.

Make it work is an incomplete achievement.

Make it work for someone.

I would say the actual work is the best part. Although challenging, it is the most rewarding. People are the most challenging. Like others have stated before, different cultures and expectations make it complicated. Perception is especially hard. You may think you're doing a wonderful job .... someone else may think something completely different based different information. Its all about how your present yourself and your work. You have to be consistent in your delivery to each person you come in contact with. You may think that's easy but not so much in the day to day. Just keep in mind going forward.

It helped me to read up on different cultures and how they work and live. There are several short books you can read that will help you understand how decisions are made and groups work as teams. This is VERY beneficial in your work life.

Always consider what and how someone else may be thinking....

Lisa