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susan silva
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« on: December 16, 2009, 12:07:32 pm » |
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Have you ever read a job vacancy ad and applied, but when you got to the interview, the job was a bit different then you thought, then when you took the job it was still different then both the description and the interview? (Or any combination, such as, job description was different then job, or after the interview the job wasn't what you expected? Have I confused you? I hope not! Share your interview/new job experiences with us!
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gee4
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« Reply #1 on: December 16, 2009, 12:37:09 pm » |
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I think this has probably happened to a lot of us but in different ways.
What you have to realise is, a job title doesn't always reflect the job spec and that is why we have interviews. It works both ways - to see if we fit with the company and if the company think we are a good fit.
The things I try and look out for are the hidden tasks eg. minute taking, audio typing, travel, personal errands or working outside normal hours. I'm not an audio typist nor a shorthand typist. I have other skills which I believe are more important and prefer to get my teeth into something more challenging.
I usually know quite quickly at an interview if the role/company is for me or not. If something appears on a job spec that I don't enjoy or feel comfortable with, then I won't apply for that job.
PS. The initial role I took with this company proved a nightmare in that I was not busy which resulted in boredom. However, one year on, I'm in a new role and enjoying it much better.
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« Last Edit: December 16, 2009, 12:52:00 pm by gee4 »
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peaches2160
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« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2009, 01:30:36 am » |
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Most job descriptions are written generically and not by the person actually doing the job, or in a role similar. Unfortunately, you have to know the right questions to ask in order to "peel back the onion" and determine what the reality of the role is.
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Atlanta Z3
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« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2009, 03:34:31 pm » |
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These days I'm carefull to ask a lot of questions in the interview. I don't want to oversell my skills, I can do what I can do. However, mostly for me, once I get in a position I usually have a skill set they weren't expecting (or even knew they needed) but are oh so willing to take advantage, which usually leads to another position or department.
To answer the original question, I don't think I've ever taken a position that wasn't what I expected. I have been to a few interviews where
A: they did not know how to use an admin;
B: did not know how to conduct an interview;
C:really didn't want an assistant but upper management was forcing one.
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mlm668
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« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2009, 06:29:15 pm » |
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After my experiences the 3-4 years, my biggest flag is lack of any job description and/or when they say its a new position with the company. I find that this means someone with some pull has managed to get them to agree to hire an/another admin and this new admin will get all of the menial tasks the original person doesn't want to do and they will keep the tasks that are challenging, interesting and provide opportunities to learn new skills or gain recognition.
My current position is just that but when I accepted it, I had to have something and the pay was better than anything else out there at the time. I've been trying to move on the last 2 years but the economy went downhill and well paying jobs are few and far between.
On those few interviews I have been fortunate enough to have, I ask very probing questions about the day to day tasks of the job and try to get a feel for the position. If they don't have a job description or can't describe a "typical" day or week, I try to end the interview as quickly as possible.
Other items that give me pause are high level titles with low level duties (ie: duties such as answering phones and greeting visitors in a job posting for an office manager or executive assistant), to much emphasis on multi-tasking or those that ask for the moon when it comes to software skills but list duties that don't match and those that have either no salary range or a low level salary range listed.
I'm not the perfect admin and not above doing certain tasks, but I also believe that if you are going to look for someone with my skill level and years of experience, then the position should meet what you are seeking - not be a fishing expedition for someone who "might" be able to do other task you aren't sure how to get done.
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