(((chikky)))

Take a breath.

Remember these are wish list items, you can always wow them with your passion/etc. Don't let the buzz words get you down.

Recent college grad to me translates into we want to mold you from the ground up, so sell your openess to new ideas and thinking outside the box.

Multi-tasking. Honestly some people get flustered when more than one thing comes at them at a time. Really. I've had to let admins go because of this.

Degree is a must. I do have to say that gets me down as well because many are asking for this. Some places do toss any resume without a degree and honestly I think it's stupid. I temped at a place like that. Big name company. I watched them make a job offer to a very sweet girl on my team, new college grad, very sweet but not bright. Really not bright as in low iq. Could barely do the work, felt very challenged when all she was doing was data entry and I spent a lot of time coaching her. They offered her a job but not me, me with the glowing resume, because of my lack of degree. To overcome this I say networking is key. Also, once those high-horse darling companies aren't the darlings they once were, they become more flexible. If you can get in the door you can over come this as well.

Yes, I'm a bit torn on this but I'd read some articles that state to fill in the gap by providing information that might include skills useful in the workplace but remain unsure on this given if so, it would be one short title line. Seems saying someone was terminal or passed away is good in that it is now resolved, but the opposite of upbeat - so I was thinking if I included anything at all maybe I should stay away from words like that. I want to stay upbeat somehow - which is why I just left it off in the past.

The reality of the missing dates was that I myself was recovering from an injury (don't want to say that!), sole caregiver/interfaced often with medical teams at hospital on terminal family member, used job skills to be sole planner for 2 large weddings, took job related classes for certificate program at university.

As far as resume type, a functional resume works much better for me because I can state skills and name drop some uber VIPs on the first page; selling them before they see the gap in dates at the end of the 2nd pg. I've been lucky in that I've gotten an interview just because someone wanted to know more about a VIP --then was able to sell myself and get the job. However, jobs are harder to get now, hence being unsure if I should try to fill in the dates on the resume or hopefully get an interview and address it then.

I'm currently out on medical leave and was surprised to find out only yesterday my performance review was today via phone. I hadn't been given any notice, nor participated in the normal assessment tools one would enter into the system, but I was informed by the temp filling in for me that it was only to be a 5 min call.

On the call today my boss assured me this wouldn't be a formal review because of what I just stated but it turned into a 5 min review where I could give no input. Boss said I'd get a small raise but then launched into specific preferred ways of working with the temp and areas for my improvement. Specifically how the temp doesn't work overtime and how many long hours I worked (not addressing the temp isn't being asked to do everything I do). Then boss stated that because our team has expanded boss plans to keep the temp after my return and "we'll have work on/see how that will all work out." I am currently EA to the SVP and my background is working for C-level execs. Not sure if this means plans to demote me. Not sure if I can stay if it does as I will lose all credibility with my peers. This is from the boss who refers to me as “Assistant Extraordinaire” in both in internal and outside emails. Boss even has that listed as my job title in their contact files. Thinking I was doing well, I’d planned to ask to be re-leveled to a higher pay grade as job duties with new SVP are greatly different than before in same position when it was run by a VP.

I'm feeling very put off by the "meets expectations" review when I'm out sick due to flu turning into pneumonia as a direct result in lack of rest due to long hours at work. (I'm the 4th person out on med leave in past 8 months because of how hard boss drives people.) Boss even called and added to my workload forcing me to continue working when home sick before dr put me on offical leave.

Is it just me, or does it seems unfair to call me off-guard and state all my areas to improve without allowing me any rebuttal or statements to show what resulted in the long hours? I'm bit lost because instead of calling to say, you are getting a small raise (yay, 2 yrs w/o due to economy).  I’m left questioning if I have a job to return to and feeling cut out of a chance to have any voice in my review (my first with this new boss) and boss clearly thinking I’m inept in some areas, when in fact they likely don’t recall items like if you tell someone at 5pm they need to create a presentation for the CEO meeting at 9am – it means one must work late.

Any thoughts other than I look for a new job? I really like the company I work for and they have benefits with work perks not found in most companies. I'm just really sad.

We use SMART goals as well, just one other thing that might help you -- start with your company's corporate goals and align to them the best way that your job will fit. Corp goals really should trickle down to every person's area that in the end supports those goals. So work with your manager to make your goals align with the business goals.

You might consider a template some what like this:

Goal/Description/Measure of Success/Start Date/Status/Action Plan/Completion

I've read different takes on how to address gaps in a resume and wanted to get everyone's opinion since I  need to update my resume.

I created a functional resume because of this, but I do list titles/company names/years at the bottom. I've left any reference to it off in the past and saved it for the interview, if they bring it up, but it is a 10 year gap (ending in 2005) so was wondering do you think I should address it? If so, how does this sound?

Patient Advocate; updated education      xyz year - xyz year

Should I add Patient Advocate for terminal family member? Because it wasn't like I was a professional Patient Advocate. I also could say Event Planner (if you are counting planning 2 family weddings and various events of that type) because it relates to what we do...so Event Planner; Patient Advocate; updated education.

Also, since my best employment history is prior to the gap I end up with dates going back to the late 1980's (ouch old!) so leaving this line out just visually looks like less.

What are your thoughts? Put a line in or leave it off completely?

FYI, my boss does know the workload is heavy and originally said it would blow over after they were settled into new job, but that isn't turning out to the case. I always make boss aware of everything I'm working on and have pushed back, but for example boss was calling me with work while I was home sick (not now that I'm on leave as legally can't). It wasn't that I wasn't saying no, it was that I answered my personal phone. In the past I've also sat down with boss documenting I have over 300 emails daily with almost all containing action items and of course that is just email. This doesn't include my review of boss's email which because sometimes boss forgets to copy me on actions so I must review incoming, sent, and deleted emails, because if boss forgets something I'm sure to be blamed in an email copied to all. However, to be fair I also am touted as "my fabulous assistant" will take care of xyz in emails.

I don't actually think overtime would be a problem (for my boss) except I know upper management gets a report when overtime exceeds a certain number and I'm sure they've spoken to my boss because of it, hence the reason telling me no overtime. It's not just me, everyone in the dept is treated this way and I have already made mention of certain things to our HR rep. However my group is actually within the HR org so this makes it more difficult. Also there isn't anyone I can share the workload with and hiring someone isn't an option.

To clarify I do say no but am mostly ignored. When I did push back, and actually stopped working overtime, boss sent me an email telling me I wasn't completing my duties. I don't see a way to win here, in fact the day I went out on leave saw where boss created/published job descriptions for all, including me with new (time heavy) duties we'd never discussed. Of course I will need to address this upon my return, which I have no problem doing. I just doubt the outcome based on my experience, peers, and comments from boss' previous asst at another company. Boss is not a workaholic, boss overcommits, dumps on dept and goes home. However is certainly a wicked type A. Thanks for letting me vent; right now they are looking for a temp to fill in and another EA, a good friend, offered my boss limited help so the phone calls/emails have stopped. I spoke to her today and she is drowning in work so hopefully a temp will be hired soon.

Now that I'm on leave and had a chance to step back, I think the best thing I could do is change jobs, but as I mentioned my boss is high profile right now. If I can find something it would mean most likely taking a job with a lower level manager which would make the reason for my leaving obvious to both higher ups, who all know me, and anyone I'd interview with. If I leave dept it will reflect poorly on my boss so possibly me too. I'm concerned with the impact of that on me and wonder if because of company politics if the best thing I can do for myself is just look outside the company for a new position. What does your political savvy instinct tell you?

I ask this because I work for a high level, fairly visible exec in favor with the CEO, who is chartered with a key company deliverable for this year. It is the number one initiative for my division so I’m concerned about how it would look to leave my boss – and the possible repercussions. However, I’ve now put in 6 months with new boss who I at first thought a driving work ethic and incredible pace was going to be something that would last only a few months. I now see the unreasonable pace may be permanent and am trying to think through next steps. I would really value your thoughts.

I got the flu mid-November and because of the long hours without rest just before Christmas was diagnosed with pneumonia. I told bossie I could no longer come in the office and needed to take a few sick days – which it seemed meant, work from home days to bossie as I continued to get emails, phone calls, and action items. Finally it took doctor putting me on medical leave last week to get it all to stop: on one hand I’m told I can’t work overtime and on the other told I won’t be given project work till 5pm that is due by 9am the next day, weekly staff meetings are now 9-10:30pm, had to set-up major 2-day offsite meeting W/Thursday for executives that could only be set-up during holiday shutdown due to last minute notice, “homework” given last day of work that was due day we returned from holiday, had to set-up 2-day offsite team meeting Fri/Saturday with all newly created materials for all … and that was just a few things from last week. Oh and to top it off payroll sent me an email and cc’ed boss that because I was out sick the day before Christmas I would not get paid for the holiday – and boss knows full well I had been doing work from home at boss' request, which felt a bit like getting coal in my stocking. I am the 3rd person to go on medical leave since new boss came. Four people quit, two were let go, two sat down this week with boss to say the pace is too much (3 if you count me), and the rest are all new. BUT new boss is looking great and getting things done in the eyes of the execs, but it’s killing those of us who work there. I knew the problem wasn’t good when boss kept giving me work after I told them I had pneumonia, but was sure when I came in the office to tell boss I needed medical leave and was asked, “well aren’t you planning to work the rest of the week?” Hello? I have pneumonia (and it's because of you)! Making sure everything got done even though I was visibly very sick and before I left didn't even get me a thank you. I’m not sure there is any real way to work with this type of passive aggressive manager in the long term. Even a close friend bossie hired broke down under the pressure.

I really like this company and have been there almost 5 years. Not as young as I used to be, I’m concerned about trying to change jobs in this economy and becoming someone with no seniority when it comes to layoffs that might happen in a new company. Also, if I talk to HR about a looking for something new it *would* get back to my boss.

Any thoughts, insight, or advice?

My non-company work for bossie mostly now is in the areas of setting up breakfast/lunches/dinners/meetings with them personally or tracking them down

1)  How did the previous company obtain your email address?
        Bossie copies me on email replies to them and introduces me via email to take over
        Bossie also had me call former EA to follow-up on issues, who Bossie still makes requests from to track down people as well. "I don't have current email addresses for xyz (people who don't work at either of our companies), call old EA and have her find out what the current ones are. Then contact them to set up a dinner."
2)  Have you been asked by your boss to take on this additional work?
        I doubt they see it as additional work given it's been like this from the start
3)  Who is sending the email requests?  Another PA/Admin?
        Bossie forwards emails to me to handle
4)  Have you spoken to your boss and discussed the matter?
        I thought it was something that would go away completely once Bossie settled into new job (at our new to them company), but now I see bossie considers this as keeping in touch with their network of people and bossie likes to keep in the spotlight by maintaining lots of outside memberships, doing speeches/interviews, etc.

I'm not sure how to approach. Example: Bossie just did an interview the other day where it was suppose to be an interview of them personally - not co related, bossie (with cc to me) just days before got an email from div head stating any company related interviews must be approved and partner with PR. I sat there listening to bossie answering all kinds of questions about company knowing this is all going to be blamed on me if any quotes on the company are used. I will be blamed for not vetting enough information about the intervew if anything goes south. This I know. I've already found out from others my name was used for reasons of things bossie forgot to do or for showing up late to meetings when it was out of my control etc so I know it will be my fault for setting up the intervew, even though I did it at bossie's direction. Hopefully no quotes on the company will be used.

I've come to realize this isn't a transition time, it's more like a networking opportunity for my new mgr. My mgr keeps in strong contact with all these people, and my work mostly now is in the areas of setting up breakfast/lunches/dinners/meetings with them personally or tracking them down "I can't remember xyz's phone number - get out the phone book and call everyone in it with that (really common) name"/etc which creates a higher workload from an already fast-track, high demanding mgr -- and it was a bit worrisome in talking to the old EA who said to me rather bluntly "good luck."

I'm hoping that comment was directed to the workload as I do like bossie personally. And I like how much bossie includes me even if it now entails me reading their email as well as my own. However, as an example we've had cuts to the team and folks out on leave so we are down to 5 on our team and 3 of them have sat at my desk in tears over the workload. And all have mentioned it to me.

Several of the team asked me to speak to bossie about the workloads/deadlines/long hours. Not sure how I can approach bossie with this but I do need to address how much overtime I'm putting in. So far I haven't put in for all my actual hours as I know it would generate a report to the division head (a previous boss) who personally told me before new boss was hired I was not to work any overtime due to cost saving measures.

I'm not that comfortable having a sit-down meeting with bossie and just putting it on the table to say you're asking too much. If I sit down with bossie I need to be armed with very solid information that clearly shows, no it's not inefficient people, yes it does take that long to do xyz because I think that is the disconnect. I am creating a Gantt chart for the rest of the year with all the deadlines in hopes bossie might see what is being asked of everyone and I thought of tracking how much time it takes for me to do things but I'm worried they will think it takes me too long to do tasks. I'm not sure how to include the learning curve time as all of us are being asked to do things we haven't done (or haven't done in the way being asked) before so the learning curve is a big impact.

The true answer for me is both the level of detail asked (see example above) plus the extra outside things like speeches/interviews/memberships/people/etc bossie also takes on personally, especially given I've had to take over 1 large project/committee of a Director who is out. I'm an EA not PA (very different in my area of the world, PA's get paid $$$$ more than me).

Any ideas on best practices on how to compile good data on this are welcome!

Great solutions, not much more to add but here are a few we've done:

* Motion sensors for lighting in all conference rooms so they turn off when not in use
* Power saving features to put things like the copier in standby mode or off when not in use
* Preferred airlines/hotels we've contracted for lower rates
* Coffee mug & water bottle give aways to use less paper cups
* Installed water filter so no bottled water
* During hot spells/high engery usage (called by out state gov as "spare the air days") we lower/turn off the air-conditioner and turn off every other bank of lights/all lights near windows
* no binders delivered at mtgs/no print-outs either - all sent electronically prior to meetings and projected instead
* no hard copy files if possible -- as an admin I have very little paper files (maybe 1/2 a desk drawer). We scan and keep files electronically.

* Also, there is something to be said here for the engagement, morale, and retention of employees. This effects your bottom-line in recruitment and new hire costs.

Not sure if it would help you but there may be productivity stats that would help you in this. For example, I worked at a company where all cafeteria food was free. Why? Because statistics show you get more productivity if people don't get in their cars to leave. If they leave they often take a over an hour for lunch/errands. If they don't you get a lot who take much less time overall. Time is money. --Where I work lots of people work from home on Fridays. Do bagels get them in the office?

We are problem solvers and if, as in this case, it's communication --we need to help solve it. Don't wait to be informed. This is about your manager, this is about your job, your future, this is about you --yes it is your business. Schedule a sitdown meeting with your boss. I consider it part of my job to be proactive in finding out information.

You could start with minor day-to-day items to be covered and then share, I see you've been involved in interviewing (after all it's right on his calendar) is there anything I can do to help? How is that going? Put on your most sincere, warm, interested, helpful face. Chat him up. Then ask, how would any changes impact me? It's a very fair question. If he says he doesn't know or puts you off, ask how we (both of you) can find out and you'll research it for him. This discussion could lead into...

Oh, you mentioned your boss will be doing my review --how does that work? Ask questions but keep it conversational. Your boss is sure to be involved in your review in some way. In a former position it was part of my job to do reviews on all the admins in our regional offices. We got written input from peers, other depts, co-workers, mgrs and pretty much anyone who worked closed with the admin. Of course in this case there was also a sitdown mtg with the direct mgr the admin supported. This is how all reviews are done at my current company (though mostly by their own mgr).

As far as the grapevine, sounds like you need to work a bit at getting connected: walk-up and include yourself in groups, be interested in them personally, extra warm and freindly, linger at desks if you can, start a monthly admin team mtg or at least a meet/greet, when someone says something like "typical" and gives you an opening, take it. Say something like why, what have you heard? This isn't gossip if it's work related, it's networking.

You might be suprised, opening up the lines of communication could lead to an overall improvement to your job and happiness in it. Here's hoping!

Your company culture has a lot to do with it. Not sure if you could get out of the whole thing by listing yourself as simply:

Your Name
Assistant to Bob Boss
Vice President of Rocket Science
Acme Corporation

If you are the Senior Asst to Bob Boss I'd keep the word Senior in. In the company I work for lots of people have made-up titles and I only recently started using my formal EA title. Up to now I've only listed my name/dept in my signatures specifically to keep people away from the "she's just a secretary" mindset.

I've never run across this before in a job and was wondering if anyone else had:

I feel like my boss almost still works for their old company.

I must get 10 emails a day with multiple action items -- sent to my boss from people at bossie's old job. Boss even still emails old assistant with items/requests and I've had to coodinate things with said assistant. I feel like this is adding a lot to my workload and since it's been a couple of months now I don't see it going away.

I'm a bit stunned by this - at first I thought it was nice they have such a good rapport (and I do really like my new boss) but this seems odd and as I said, adds to my already overflowing workload.

Has this happened to any of you?

Oh I love that!   

Yes, this invitee was way off base. If there is public transportation nearby you might mention it in your reply "for those of you trying to keep "green" there is xyz public transportation at the intersection of abc.

Real slow pages loads here as well (IE). Also, home page and the rest don't layout properly for my laptop. I get mostly white space and must scroll down "below the fold" as they say, to find most content.