I have absolutely nothing to do at my job, what can I do to make myself valuable to the company?

Question

I'm a new software engineer and there isnt any work for me to do (despite my constant polite requests) right now except twiddle my thumbs, what should i do with my time? I think I read the employee manual like 5 times already. Should I learn some new stuff? I dunno. I want to be a manager.

When they hired me they told me it would be slow, and all my coworkers are like "oh its always slow at the beginning" -- so I'm just uh -- trying to do something constructive. Help me out with some ideas

Oh this is my 3rd week. They told me it was going to be slow!!! lol

But who cares Im getting paid right?

Thank you Captain Obvious. Im trying to find things to do in my downtown that can make me more valuable to my company.

Answer 1

How long have you been at your work place? If less than few weeks, that is to be expected. It is either your company is dis-organized, as far as training newhire is concerned, or they are watching how you react, or there just isn't any work.

Look around you. Do other people have things to do?

If so, start reading the materials for the software you will be working on. Manuals, installation notes, etc, and gather as much as you can. Start jotting down questions.

A lot of software companies are very informal that they may not have a formal training schedule. You may be on your own to start your own training.

I can't go further without knowing what your products are.

Answer 2

Read books or magazine articles that relate to the job you have. Yeah, learning more can never hurt. If that doesn't work, you can always surf the web. :)

Answer 3

"when they hired me they said it would be SLOW"

"co-workers tell me its starts off SLOW"

I think its going to be SLOW , it sounds like it the nature of the business.

Answer 4

quit