Crazy

[sgven]

Crazy is how I felt since I took on an Admin role Feb. 9 and I have been miserable ever since.  Looking for advice and feedback.



I took this job because I felt it would be job security.  I had no idea the man I would assist was high maintenance.  The temp he had found a job and she told me everything in 45 minutes so I was lead to believe that I could handle everything.  Unfortunately this role is more like being a secretary/receptionist/office manager/administrative assistant all rolled into one!  Plus, I still do work for another person that I support and his dept at another location.  My former boss pretty much hung me out to dry when I told him 2 weeks after I took on this Admin role.  He didn't do anything to help me and 1-1/2 weeks later I received not a favorable review and bonus.  He told me "I hope you find what your looking for and a job."  Thanks a lot, it was like being hit with a stun gun and I am fearful that this is all a conspiracy to get rid of me.



I always hear about how good my skills are from others that I help and even from my former boss. But I feel since I don't like my current Admin role that he suggested I take on, he is disappointed in me and pretty much doesn't care how I feel about my job.



Can anyone give me advice.  



I have told the person that I admin for that I don't like this job so he interviewed a temp to be his admin but he didn't pick her and he said he wants "someone who will make a good impression on outside clients."  Thanks a lot, my 250  obviously must be an embarrassment!  Give me a break, I came from the school of thought that it didn't matter what you looked like just so long as you can do the work!  What a let down.



I am so desperate for help that I am seriously considering terminating myself from the company.  This would be hard emotionally and financially since I tempt here for almost 4 years before getting hired and have only been a direct employee for a little over a year!  I am considering going back to contract work with the same company in hopes I could find a job I liked and maybe get hired.  That seems kind of hopeless considering it took so long to get hired.



I usually can turn things around and try to have a good attitude but it is hard cause I still have to work for my old boss that turned out to be a jerk and thinks everything is okie-dokie.  This really makes me burn with anger and contempt.  I want to make a good impression on my new boss but I think he feels I'm not competent which in some ways, I'm not because I have to learn some many new things that he takes for granted that I should already know!



I don't really want to go look for a new job after having a 3 new boss's for the past 2 years in the same company.  



Well I'm sure I left a lot out but thanks for letting me vent. I just found this site and I thought it may help.  I also bought a book last week called "Professional Secretary's Handbook"...I thought it would help.  I haven't read it yet because I've been too busy updating my resume since both my boss's have been out of town this week.  



I think a lot of my problem also is my attitude towards Admin work, I feel it is beneath me to do this work because I have a M.S. in Human Resource Management.  I feel like my old boss is laughing at me behind my back.



Thanks

[lioness70]

Three things stand out to me:



The boss issue:  As for your old boss, he is probably disappointed that you left him and is choosing to take it out on you.  It's not fair, but some people act irrationally when their employees leave them.  As for the new boss, if high maintenance is not what you're looking for...you've already told your new boss that you don't like this job, so will you honestly be there much longer?  I can't answer that one, only you can.



The clothes issue:  "I came from the school of thought that it didn't matter what you looked like just so long as you can do the work!"  I think that way too, but BUSINESS DOESN'T.  Especially if you're like me, sitting at the front desk for a period of time.  It might not be fair, but first impressions are made by image.



I'm not cut out for this work issue:  I've been there, done that.  I heard your attitude (and felt it myself, due to dead-end jobs and ogre bosses) from a lot of young workers:  they won't take admin jobs for fear of being "trapped as an admin" and bosses treating them like their maid or nanny.  YOUR boss might look down on you, but another might not and move you ahead.  If you soul-search and decide this field isn't for you, you can always leave it.

[icebreakerpenguin]

sgven, I can only say, read the post in "Cafe Admin" by daisylee entitled "What's the most valueable thing..."  I would have to agree that "no matter where you go, there you are" and that you need to make the most of where you currently work.  I'm not real happy with my current position but I'm making the most of it knowing that something better will eventually come along if I keep working at it.  You need to do the best you possibly can at whatever job you have.  Unfortunately, appearance plays a key role in business today whether you like it or not.  That's something you'll have to learn to deal with.  Don't let other people determine your feelings or attitude.  Put your assumptions aside - if you believe your boss feels you're incompetent, show him that you're not!  I think you've got a lot of your questions already answered and you know what you want to do.  You're right when you say that a lot of your problem is your attitude about admin work.  It's my opinion that you're not going to get anywhere in life or in your career if you think any type of work is beneath you.  Especially if you want to become a boss.  Having been in administrative my entire career, I realize the importance of the secretary/administrative assistant/receptionist/office manager/etc. in the office.  I don't know why so many people still think that doing admin work is beneath them.  Go with the punches and don't let anyone make you feel less than you are.  I hope you find what makes you happy.    

[theresak]

Hi -



I usually lurk - but I just had to post because you sound like you are really hurting.  I remember another poster on another (now defunct) site that had some similarities to yours as far as feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated - her post "Sinking fast in the land of grits and okra" some of you may remember.    



I would separate what you like and don't like about this job and soon.  It sounds as if your boss is  interviewing for someone to take some of the load off you and you want to make sure they take the *right* part of the load.  It sounds like you have some options.    You can probably see a pattern emerging in regards to similarities and differences in the positions regarding what you like and don't like.  Maybe with an additional person you won't feel so overwhelmed and like you are doing things wrong.



 Perhaps you took the Admin job thinking it was "easy" and "steady" never realizing that many strong admins make it look effortless - but it is not.  Today education is more accesible and many people have degrees if not advanced degrees.  Our receptionsist/admin has a Masters degree and someone applying for her job had a PhD.  I live in a  college town,  but I think this is more and more common.  Personally, I have decided that there are no demeaning jobs - just demeaning tasks.  If you are asked to do tasks that are inappropriate to your position - I would suggest getting an intern/temp/hired service to take care of them.  If they are tasks that you feel fall with in your job description but you feel demeaned by the way they are explained or delegated (for example copying one sheet of paper or answering the phones with no breaks or back-ups) I would try to be helpful but explain (and teach) that it is easier to work together to solve these problems.



Also - there is a big difference between looking *hot* and looking and acting professionally.  I think that anyone with approriate grooming habits and a serviceable wardrobe can look great and impress visitors without regard to weight or natural looks.  There may be some exceptions, but other than maybe sales, arts or entertainment - your weight should not be an issue.   It sounds like he was comfortable with you interacting with the clients maybe she seemed unkept or did not use standard english.  



It is unfortunate that you seem to have not maintained a strong relationship with your former boss as it would be nice if you could just transition back into that department.  There may still  be other opportunities in this job (especially if you get help like it looks like you may).



I am sure you will get lots of great advise from the crew here.    I hope you are already feeling better after venting.



Cheers



PS - I must appoligize - spell check does not seem to be working for me.

[yankeestarbuck]

Svgen, the only thing I want to address in your post is something I understand that I didn't see as very clear.  Is that 250 your weight?  Why is this an issue at all?  Why should this pig-boss care how heavy or light you are?  At any weight, you can dress professionally, which I have done.  I've worn from a 10 to a 16 and have always been able to fine decent priced suits.  You can even find separates, blazers and pants and skirts to mix and match a wardrobe.  There has to be a Popular Club near you or go online for help, but your size should NOT hinder you from "looking good to clients".



On the hand of work, the help I can afford is making To Do lists and following them.  There, I really can only say the advice you've been given is very good.



From reading your lengthy post, you seem to be intelligent.  Why would you not be able to handle this work?  There are members of our site who do that and more.  If we can, you can as well, I'm sure.  You need to have more confidence and letting this human (I won't even call him a man) hurt your feelings is utterly ridiculous.  I'm sure you always look professional, no matter your weight.  Hey, lemme tell you, if you can get your work done, and I'm sure you can, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks.  Yeah, I know, easy for me to say, but I guess because I work in a very friendly, professional atmosphere, no one would ever say anything like that.  And if your boss said that...isn't that discrimination and harassment?  On that issue, I'm not too sure, but I AM sure another site member will have the information on that.



I hope you begin to feel better after our advice.  Please keep us informed of your situation.  I would like to know how this goes.

[goldenearring]

Penguin, you hit the nail right on the head.  I get so annoyed sometimes by the postings here because there is such a dearth of self-confidence, it would appear, in admins.  Listen, there are 2-ton business owners who are doing great things; however, since they have confidence in themselves and their abilities and the worth of what they are doing they focus on that (the job at hand) rather than what everybody else might think of them.  Appearance DOES count; it always will.  BUT, confidence, a professional demeanor, and an even-keel in a low-profile/I think I'm right, but there's always the possibility that I could be wrong so I'm open to your comments kind of way.



Long and short of it is you get treated the way that you think you should be treated by others.  Think about this statement long and hard, because it is true in all walks of life.  That's enough philosophizing for now because I have tradeshows, international visitors, and trips to get organized.  Have a great holiday weekend, all.



 

[sungoddesslv]

Sgven,



You made the statement that the outgoing assistant taught you everything in 45 minutes.  Did you take this to mean that it was an easy job?  What did you think this job entailed?  



Most admin jobs these days no longer fit into the catagory of "just a secretary."  Because of the many, many changes in the business world, the responsibilities of the administrative assistant have expanded.  We have all heard about companies cutting back on middle management - who do you think takes up that slack?  Sure, it is the administrative assistant.  We are now handling budgets, preparing presentations and reports, researching...we are project managers, office administrators...we are phone experts, copier mechanics, computer wizards.  In order for the admin of today to be employable, he/she must keep their skill levels at the max, must keep up with what's going on in the business world, they must continue to learn, must be willing to take on projects -- they must keep growing!



If you have an MS in Human Resource Management and feel that admin work is beneath you, why did you accept this position?  Have you ever held a position where you have been able to use your degree?  If not, then guess what?  A company probably is not going to hire you into a management position in HR without experience.  Guess where you are going to start?  That's right, as an HR assistant.  Although you will be more involved in the field of your study, you are going to have some administrative assistant-type responsibilities.



It's your decision.  You must decide exactly what type of position is going to make you happy.  If you truly don't want to leave this company, then dig in.  Tell yourself, YES, I can do this job.  Walk into that office every morning with the confidence to get it done!  If you are given an assignment you aren't sure how to handle - ask.  Use every resource at your disposal to get that job done!  Keep on top of everything going on in your company, in your competitors companies and become your boss' confidant.





 

[spanishgal]

It sounds like you are in a difficult position.  But, have you stopped and asked yourself what convinced you to take the position in the first place?  There must have been something that motivated you.  I have days that I wish I could just drop everything and walk out but then I just take a deep breath, maybe take a small break and get something to drink and then remind myself why I like doing what I do.  And in my position which I have the title of Administrative Assistant, there are other women who have higher degrees or more experience than I but we all have the same title.  But that doesn't mean that we all do the same tasks, your job is what you make of it.

[solargal]

I concur your job is what you make it.  But every so often I'll holler (nicely, of course) I wish I was a smoker so then I can take a break!  My boss always says go take a break don't let anyone stop you.  I find it's getting away from the phones that I need most.