Vent & Question.......

[mlm668]

Long story short - the main part of my current position is to be the receptionist. No voice mail and most phone calls and visitors are salesman that no one wants to see. So you can imagine how much of my day is wasted by bs'ing these people to make them go away.  I also spend a lot of time doing what my partially disabled co-worker can and should be doing for herself.  (grunt work she doesn't want to do and no one questions it being dumped on me)  After four years of this, I've just about reached my limit.  I'm ready for a job without these kinds of duties, a company that has more recognition of its administrative employees and more opportunity to move upward if I choose to try.  In short, anything that is even remotely better than what I am doing now.  

I know what brought this on this time - I work for a small company that has the attitude that the field employees are what make the money.  True, but I want to be recognized for my contribution to the company too.  Some kind of recognition be it a certificate or a bonus.  Here there is nothing of the kind unless you are working on a crew.  We started a safety program this past year and it only applies the men on the jobsites and in the shop.  The office staff is not included at all.   After seeing that a lady I grew up with was recognized for her achievements with her company (which is a national company) I feel like I've sold myself short all these years.  I know she truly earned her achievements and even though I didn't really like her much when we were in school together, I am happy to see that she didn't let the rough start (teenage pregnancy and short lived marriage to a bum) hold her back.  I know I can do just as well and want to (shame I didn't realize that a few years back), but I know it won't happen here.  I'm not getting any younger and after all these years of working I am finally realizing my worth and expect to compensated fairly.  I'm really holding back today.  I feel like I'm going to explode and really chew someone out who has nothing to do with my problems.  I can't afford to do that and don't want to either.  It won't solve the problem.  

My question is this - if an ad doesn't specifically state that the position has reception duties or backup, how can I state in my letter than if it does I'm not interested and for them not to waste my time or theirs? Or should I just wait and see if I'm called for an interview and then pose the question then?

Unfortunately most ads in this area are looking for a jill of all trades which means being the receptionist in addition to the executive assistant. I saw one in yesterday's ads that was looking for an office manager/receptionist. EXCUSE ME, but if I have the skills to manage an office, I'll be darned if I'm going to work as a receptionist too. They want it all for nothing these days don't they?

WHEEW!!!  It felt good to get that out!!!



Michelle

[countrigal]

I would suggest, if it's not listed, waiting till you possibly get an interview and then asking what job duties would fall under the position.  Otherwise you might be locking yourself out of opportunities because of some perceived attitude from the letter.

But as to positions wanting receptionist and all...  look into what type of office it would be.  Our office has "receptionist" type duties, but it's for an office of 10, actually only answering the phone for 1 person, and voice mail all the way around, so it's not really receptionist type work.  You're not in an office in the main part of the buildng where everyone walks up to you, all calls for the company (or division) come through you, etc.  So just because it says it don't think it's what you currently have.  Some phone answering seems to be common, and in today's market I'm seeing that a lot of it is placed as "receptionist duties" when in actuality it's answering a 2 line phone in an office, where it really doesn't require receptionist skills.

The best advice is don't let the call for receptionist skills get you down.  Actually look at the company, try to see how it is set up, where the position is and if possible, talk to someone in that area who might be able to give you an idea of true duties.  I'm sure you wouldn't mind managing the office and answering the occassional call for bossie, and being able to forward to his/her voice mail if (s)he isn't available.  Look deeper than the job posting, cause heaven knows not all positions end up what they're advertised as.  My position as Program Specialist started out different than expected, and has grown to more than I imagined, and I do some receptionist duties still.  (Folks come into my office before anyone else's and I greet them, I answer bossie's phone if I can, along with my co-worker's phone, and she in turn answers mine, mail comes into my office for dissemination, etc)

Good luck in your search, and you do deserve a position that will give some sort of recognition for your work and years with them.

CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member

[superninjaadmin]

Michelle,

If I am going to look for a job, the last place I will start looking is under "help wanted" ads in the newspaper.  Many of these jobs are entry level.  

Word of mouth is the best bet in landing a well-paying and rewarding job (meaning - go in through the back door to get inside the company that you want to work for).  Many times, the good jobs are not advertised, so having an "inside" connection with someone you know helps.  Do you belong to any professional organizations (like IAAP or Chamber of Commerce)?  Perhaps even checking with friends and associates in clubs you belong to as a hobby.  If you're not involved with any organizations, consider joining, being active and building those "political" connections now!  Food for thought.  

If there is a certain company you have your eyes on, figure out some ways to get involved with that company in an indirect way... use your creativity.  Find some links that could help you to connect in some way, for example, if the company is really into it's community's charities like the United Way, you could start by volunteering - get your name and face known.  Those types of links are out there.  

Another good way to "feel the waters" is to sign up through several job placement agencies in your area.  Even many temp jobs turn perm (it's the company's way of testing you out to see if there's a fit before committing to a permanent job).  You can tell the job placement agencies up front that you prefer not to take any receptionis jobs so they can pare down the job search criteria for you.  

Remember that this might not happen over night.  It may be a goal that may take some time to get the wheels moving in your direction, but if you start now, the sooner it will be that you'll reach it.  

Take care!  

SNA

[mlm668]

To be honest Marie, I did that a long time ago when I updated my resume just to have it updated.  Other than showing that my job title at my previous company was as receptionist for the first 9 months I was there (then I was promoted to another department), there is little or no mention of my performing receptionist duties.  I feel that with many of my employers back in the late 80's, early 90's who were sole propriertor attorneys, it is obvious that I have had to do reception duties in the past.  Fortunately, my current job title is Admin Assistant so I can play it down on this job even though it is my main responsibility.

CG - I went back and looked at that office manager job ad again.  It was clearly stated that in addition to be office manager this person would be responsible for answering a busy switchboard.  Definately not a job for me.  But I will keep in mind what you said about the different "meanings" of receptionist.  I honestly hadn't thought of that before.  It can't hurt to apply and if it does turn out to be front desk, I can always refuse the interview.

And SNA - want ads aren't the only place I'm looking.  I check the State's Dept of HR website for new job listings every couple of weeks and I am researching some of the larger companies to see if their industry would something I would be interested in.  I've concluded that because I want to work in a more "professional" office, the larger companies are going to be my best best on that.  There is one company here in VA that does highway maintenance (I work in the transportation industry now).  It has grown significantly since it was founded in the mid-90's and has branched out to other states (even AK).  I know someone who works for them and have heard about their perks and structure.    They have a lot of opponents in the industry here, but are still going strong.  I still haven't made up my mind about them but I am watching them and once I get a letter written that suits me I am going to send my resume and see how that goes.  I'm a MAL of IAAP, but with my work, school and kid's schedules, I haven't taken the time to get as involved as I should.  In reality, after working all day and dealing with the people I do here, I really have no desire to be around anyone at the end of the day.

In any case, from the responses I've gotten here and on Monster, it appears that the only way to really know is to ask at the interview.  At least I'm fortunate enough that I don't have to look for another job.  I have a choice.  I've been trying to make the best of this one for a long time, but I feel like I'm banging my head against a wall most days and I'm just plain sick from it this week.  I also know I'm the only one that can change that which is why I've been looking around for something better.  Wish me luck.  

Michelle