It's happened again

[bethalize]

No, I haven't lost the job yet - three weeks to go.

Yet again I got the "Aren't you too bright to be a PA, don't you want to do something else?" speech. This is the FIFTH time this has happened to me in the last 18 months. What am I doing to give this impression? It's not like I race through all my work and never make a mistake!

Does this happen to anyone else? Or is it just me who is using words my 'superiors' don't understand?

I tell you, I can't take another forty years of this.

Liz

Cheesed off in Cambridge

[jahdra]

Liz,



It used to happen to me all the time while I was temping and it was extremely annoying. I'm proud of what I do and yes, it is my profession.



Now, however, I work for an awesome group that puts it a bit more tactfully: Anything we can do to help you further your career, just let us know.



Try to think of it as a back-handed compliment to your skills.



I can't remember, but are you temping? If you are, just keep moving until you find the right fit, and don't settle for working for people who don't appreciate you for the jewel you are!



If this is a "regular" position, perhaps there's another position/boss that might be a better fit, perhaps someone who will appreciate having a skilled, competent PA?



Just my thoughts!





 

[radaro]

I hate the implied message in this question.  What, I have to be stupid to be working as a PA?  Being smart and being a PA are mutually exclusive?



My evil twin suggests you respond with "Aren't you too stupid to be a VP/Manager?"



Sorry, no constructive advice in this one, just venting!

[Katie G]

Radar, that's great!  (And heaven knows we've all known our share of folks who, as a matter of fact, ARE too stupid to be VP/Manager/CEO/President/etc.!)



I run into the vocabulary issue, too.  I  made the *ahem* mistake of using the word "gauche" in a sentence when talking to one of our vice presidents.  I got a totally blank stare in return.  It later got back to me that she was miffed that I used "some snotty word that no secretary would know."  How insecure can you get?  I'm supposed to "dumb down" my speaking so that I conform to YOUR idea of what a secretary's intellect should be?  Sheesh!

[kitchenwitch]

Liz,

Next time, just steal a line from The Princess Bride and tell your alleged superior that next time you and (s)he speak, "I'll speak slowly and use small words so you understand, you warthog faced buffoon".

  I'd love to say that to a co-worker or two around here...

KW

[nolalady]

Thanks for a great laugh this morning. Gotta remember those comebacks.



It has taken 5 years for me to get through to my boss that I like my job.  But she has finally changed to: Just let me know if there is anything you need or want.  I do have to say she was very happy this month since I ordered the full package of the CPS review.  



nolalady

[radaro]

I thought about this situation again last night while taking my bath (my thinking place).  



This might be your boss's initial reaction to you.  Perhaps his/her previous PA was as dumb as a post and your boss is pleasantly surprised by your knowledge and skill.  Appreciate the compliment.



If your boss presses further, tell him/her that you are satisfied in your role.  But, as nolalady, eventually your boss will wise up and shut up.

[countrigal]

I had to think on this one... took an overnighter for me to see this clearly without the initial reaction that I think we all share, which is shock, outrage, and just plain fuming that someone would think so little of us.  But now I'm thinking from another view.  What if this is their way of seeing your stick-to-itiveness?  What if their last employee was as brilliant as you and at the first chance, jumped ship to go elsewhere - with the comment "I'm better than this, can do better than this" and a jaunty wave.  Now they've found someone else who they love, can do the job so well, but is just as well-qualified for other positions.  They're just wanting to feel you out, see if they need to worry about you also hitting the road due to lack of challenge or lack of the full usage of your skills (all as they see it).  I'd speak to them honestly about your goals, aspirations, and dreams and see what comes of it.  You never know, it might be just the step you need to either stay in that position or let them be aware of your desire to move upward, sideways, etc to another position with them.  Instead of viewing it as a way of them booting you out the door, look at it as a compliment and work with it.



Long and windy I know, but that's my view of it.  Kind of like my last position, which lasted 2 days.  I was hired for a secretarial position and my boss told me I was overqualified, why did I want the position.  I told her honestly and when my present position opened up and was offered to me, she didn't hesitate to let me go to a position where my talents would be more fully utilized.  Now she and I are good friends and I do what I can for her and she's helped me in my career.



Good luck and let us know what happens.