I worked for the head of HR at a large global bank - one day we were talking about dress and she said "one of the biggest mistakes women make is wearing shoes that are scuffed, beat up or out of date.  You would never see a successful man in such shoes".  I now work in the 'executive wing' of a corporation and make a point to keep my shoes in top form.  We have someone come in once a week specifically for shoe shines & repairs.  

Working with the people I do, I feel too casual in flats and like the fact that in heels, I'm over 6' and command attention.  As for the style, I normally ask myself - WWAJW - or, What would Andrea Jung wear?  I save the kitten heels for evening cocktails and weekends.

Here in the US - upper management tend to take 2-3 weeks off in August leaving their assistants with more available time than normal, until early September.  How do you make the most of this time?  Take a little extra time to enjoy lunch outside instead of at your desk?  Do you spend it in casual clothing because you're cleaning out the supply closet?  I'm curious to hear what we're all up to.

Yeah well, you're right but it is a good distraction for the people.. now we don't have to talk about the 'REAL' issues that affect us!

I have a question - are you non-exempt, as most assistants are meaning, hourly including overtime & not eligible for a bonus or are you exempt, meaning not eligible for overtime but eligible for a bonus?  I'm a NYC exec assistant and I understand - a going annual wage is ~120k and bonus or overtime.  You need to be up front and professional and get an honest answer.  Don't be taken advantage of, know your legal rights and don't be afraid to start looking elsewhere if your manager isn't willing to budge.  Find out what your company offers as far as tuition reimbursement, educate yourself on this and it will give you more leverage when you sit down with him. Once you start compromising yourself, it becomes a slippery slope.

YES!  I just read something over the weekend about how to accept help when it is offered.  Last week I was carrying 3 large binders down a long hallway while wearing a dress & heels.  A man that I work with walked up to grab them from me while asking to help, I laughed and told him "I've got it, thank you".  He probably walked away feeling bad (not to mention a bit less manly) for not being able to help.  People feel good when they can help others.  So, why are we taking things on and trying to do it all ourselves?  For myself, I have a difficult time saying no because I think I should be able to do everything that is asked of me.  If I cannot, that means I'm unorganized or not managing my time well enough.  Is that true?  Probably not but my insecurities tell me it is.

Recently someone I work with who I consider to be an excellent manager, has been pushing me to 'push back' even on things he gives me.  It will take some self-awareness but it is a good, bad habit to break.

Wow.  watching this makes me very sad.  He is obviously a troubled individual that has lost perspective on not only this job but life.  He is actually looking like he's on coke.  I cannot imagine that his coworkers did not see this coming - the way his coworker is responding is probably fueling the fire by yelling at him to calm down.  She should have told him and when he didn't, just step out of the way and let security take over.  This is indeed an HR nightmare but hopefully, he's a smart enough guy (or desperate enough to keep his job) that he would have to see a counselor.

Good for you for not putting up with a bad situation!  I've lived all over the country and have always found great jobs through employment agencies (e.g. Kelly Temps).  Look online for reputable agencies, set up a appointments with 2 or 3 and get registered with them.  You'll spend an hour or two filling out paperwork, taking typing tests, etc. but once you're done, they'll do the work for you.  Just give each of them a call 1-2 times per week to check in.  They should NEVER charge you fees for finding a job.  Companies will pay your temp agency which then will pay you every 1-2 weeks.  I've started out in temp to hire positions which has been great because they get to see how I work and I can decide if I want to work with them.  Once you find a good fit, the company will pay the temp agency a finders fee and you'll be all set!  

Something to think about - do you want to work for a large company, small business, etc?  This will help narrow the focus for the agency.  Also, if you can, try to find out pay rates for that part of the country.  Pay ranges vary quite a bit so you want to make sure you're at the higher end starting out.  The agency may not pay well but if you can get hired on with a solid company, their rates may be worth waiting for.  Good Luck!

Hi Klein,
I am very happy to see this post.  I've been in administrative roles for ~15 years and took each one as a position that would give me a steady income & hours while I persued my outside passions that just don't pay the bills: gardening, music & yoga. You have to schedule that time in & be disciplined about it!  I also have moved from the west coast to NYC to Chicago and back and have never had a problem finding a higher level position than the one that I previously held.  I learn so much about business and psychology that coworkers and friends come to me for personnel advice & perspective.  

It seems that society is screaming that each of us should always be in the power position making gobs of money but you know, I haven't seen those people any happier than I am - it is just a different role.  If anything, they've got a lot more stress and put in the longer hours.  As far as advancing, I've known EA's that have the opportunity to travel all over the world and are compensated very well.  I have worked with men in this administrative assistant roles in the past and each was a great fit.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you love it 'own it' and people will respect you for that.

As far as advancing out of your job when you're ready - if you excel and you have a good manager, doors will open.  This position gives you a lot of exposure so it will hopefully introduce you to some possible roles.  I've had peers in similiar situations to yours that have moved into Project manager and Product coordinator roles and being an admin gave them a great foundation.

Good luck with the singing career!!!

This sounds like quite a fun challenge.  I read this and am wondering what she meant when she asked to take on more responsibility.  Can she define what that means to her?  It sounds like she is excited to have a job and wants it 'all' but she may not really understand the role of a PA (which I'm assuming is similiar to an Executive Assistant here in the states).  When I've mentored green assistants in the past I started out with the basics and built on that - if there's nothing else you're comfortable giving her at her level, then she needs to find ways to be productive.  

You may want to suggest some reading materials for her such as Inner Circle Assistant, by Joan Burge (my work bible) and/or the Complete Office Handbook.  I also believe that honesty is the best policy and suggest to her that she focus on her spelling, writing skills, etc.  If you create an open and mutually respectful environment for her, she'll be more comfortable with what you do or don't give her.  She needs to find her own working style so your challenge is to allow her to do that while guiding her to focus on getting her work done efficiently and accurately.

This caused me to look back at cards and letters I have received and the more traditional and formal contacts, mail is addressed as "Mr. & Mrs. William Smith".  Friends and people <40 seem to address the envelope as "Mr. & Mrs. Smith".  

My name is hyphenated at work and mail is then sent to my home as "Mrs. Kelli Sutton-Smith and Mr. William Smith".  Try to fit that on the average envelope!  The "&" works for the Mr. & Mrs. but "and" seems more appropriate when the names are spelled out.

My manager is travelling from NY to Sydney this week.  I've got a pile of power adapters in front of me and looking online (Google) am told there are 3-4 different types suitable for the job.  Do you have a site that spells out which adapters are used in the major countries around the world?  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

In no particular order:

1) Professionalism - the ability to respectfully interact with people at all levels of the company in an open, friendly and polished manner.  Show up on time. Keep his comments between the two of you - his personal & professional life is not for you to share.  You are representing your manager - e.g. your manager may not care to do something and it is your job to gracefully decline on his behalf.

2) Proactive - the skills to forsee and provide whatever (and bring in whomever) he will need to prepare for and at meetings.

3) Organizational skills - definitely. Now, where is that slip of paper he handed you last week?

4) Interest in learning - about his job and the company, industry, etc. Keeping up on business news related to the above as well as researching new vendors and learning new software tricks. Have an inquiring mind.  When I go to a new restaurant, I can't help but wonder if it would be a good place for a team outing, lunch meeting location, etc.

5) Networking ability - know who his key players are, get to know the assistants and the assistants other bosses, etc.  Attend networking events even if you are the only assistant, get yourself out there and you may run into someone that will be a key contact for your boss - knowing you may help them get a meeting setup.

Good luck!

Edited by kellinm on 27/04/07 05:14 PM.

I hate to sound so bitter on such a beautiful spring day but I find Admin Professionals day to be rather patronizing.  I'm with the previous poster's comments - I consider myself a professional.  I am part of the group, I play an equal role here and wouldn't not expect nor want anyone to give me an extra pat on the back.  I work hard to be seen as smart, productive, thoughtful, etc. and my job is to help them do theirs more efficiently.  I'm the obstical remover.  If I do a good job, pay me a fairly, show it in a bonus, just as you would any other employee.

Oddly enough, as I was typing this, my manager just handed me a gift certificate to a great restaurant in my town.  Who am I to say no?

Thank you so much for the responses.  I will not let her odd personality have an affect on my job.  I work for a senior executive and cannot afford to be anything less than professional.  For some reason she tapped into my vulnerability but I will rise above it and anytime I am feeling weak, I will return to your responses to reaffirm that this is not about me.  I now feel fortunate that she has distanced herself!

I've been in my current role with a Fortune 500 company for 2-1/2 years - about 1-1/2 years ago, a woman in her late 20s joined the group.  We slowly became friends and she visited my house on a Saturday, my husband and I joined her at her birthday party.  There were red flags that I chose to ignore because she has interests that are more worldly than others in this office.  About a year ago she told me that she requires her friends to be very close otherwise she won't bother (red flag #1). at her birthday party, she ended up sleeping with a consultant in our group.  He went on with work but she became obsessive.  While I was preparing for an important meeting & had managers at my desk, she demanded a minute of my time, I walked around the corner and she told me "he sent me an email asking me to go to out, I'm going to tell him no, think that will get him?". At that point I turned around and walked back to my desk annoyed. About a month later, she told me that at a conference his manager asked her to have an affair.  I stopped hanging out and personal calls with her around that point and made our communications casual at work.  She had a birthday a few months back and I told a co-worker that we should do something nice (it was her 30th & she doesn't have many friends/family). He brought in donuts and we walked over to her office and said "Happy Birthday!" (making no mention of her age) and she went off on us about how people will ask her how old she is and how she won't get the projects she wants because of age discrimination (she's 10-15 years junior to the other managers). I have never witnessed this to be the case but stunned, I apologized and walked off.  My peer quietly told her she was over-reacting and we were attempting to be nice.  

Since then, she ignores me and if she is forced to ask for something, she will ask for it and under her breath give me a 'please'.  I walk by her in the stairwell and she won't say anything.  I've made a point to not play her games and will casually say hello just as I would anyone else.  

Since this event happened, I've learned that she has done this to others in the group and is close with her senior reports and people that she has to work with.  The dissed refer to it as being part of 'the club'.  Oddly enough, her office door opens directly facing my desk - since her birthday she often keeps it closed (good for me) but I've also gotten the sense that management has no idea that she is so socially undeveloped.  Any thoughts on how I can learn to not let this immature person (NOT a woman) get under my skin??