Feelin' kinda down...

[thetreble 19]

So, my boss was on vacation and then got hit with a family emergency so I'm not quite sure when she will be back. She was originally supposed to be back the 16th.

I have been waiting for a time like this where I could show the Asst. VP that I am capable of doing more than I am doing. I'm a pretty smart kid and I have a lot of desire to learn new things as well as please.

So, the first few days go perfectly okay. Then yesterday he comes to me and says that he has appointed my colleague, who I adore, to take the Director's place (my boss) in the interum while she;s gone.

Now my colleague already has her own position and we aren't even in the same department. She doesn't know a lot about our department but has been appointed temporarily over me as the new contact person for any issues that arise.

I don't know why this has made me feel completely incompetent and not very useful. I'm more than good at my job and am obviously able to take on more responsibility than I already do. I find half of the work I do to be nothing more than busy work half the time. I know it is important to make sure htings run okay, but I do find that I am beyond it.

I'm very young still and there is not many jobs out there for my experience and age group that don't have "assistant" attached to it.

I guess I feel like I just missed my chance and maybe won't have another one for awhile.

[Sprailenes 47]

((((((Amanda))))))

That has happened to me before and it totally bums you out, especially when you're trying extra hard to show them you are capable. I know it may be awkward but you should talk to VP and let her know, I mean if she's an approachable person. Carrying this with you will only make you dwell on it, and it probably had nothing to do with any of the feelings you have such as, incompetence etc.

For sure there must have been another reason for it, and if you knew then perhaps you'd walk away feeling better. But if you don't ask about it, you'll never know right? And also talking to the VP may let her know that you are serious and you are striving for more.

[Jasman0717 9]

We are loosing our deputy director that is in charge of about everything it would seem. They gave all his assignments to the deputy agency director. I have no idea how he will manage. Sometimes it is better to let someone else put up with the headaches, it may be a blessing you weren't assigned

[trailmix 77]

Good advice there from Sprailenes

I honestly can't remember if this has ever happened to me.

You know, managers are blind sometimes and that may be all there is to this. The other person that he/she has appointed to run the show while the other one is out of town - is she a manager or supervisor? I just wonder, if she is in that type of position and whether the person who appointed her as the contact just automatically thought of her when the situation arose.

If not, are they perhaps friendly. You mention she doesn't work in the same department as you - therefore she may just have more contact with the person that made the decision.

As Sprailenes said, you won't know unless you ask, which can be hard to do - on the other hand if you do ask at least the person will know that you are ready and willing to take on more responsibility.

I'm very young still and there is not many jobs out there for my experience and age group that don't have "assistant" attached to it.

^^^^ Oh and this, you should just cross that off your list of things to think about, in my opinion - just go for what you want, if it's right the above won't play in to it!

Edited February 6, 2009 by trailmix

[Flames9_RN 358]

My ex had a similar situation yrs back at her office! She was the secretary, had been there for a short while (maybe a yr) and they needed a new office manager! She wasn't going to say anything, but eventually she did speak with the boss, and was a good thing to, as her boss didn't think she interested in the job, so if she had not spoken up, she would not have gotten the position. If ya want something in life, gotta stand up! best of luck

[Sprailenes 47]

Its true. When I was living in Canada, I was the restaurant manager at a hotel, and I found out the conference co-ordinator was overwhelmed and needed an assistant. Although this job turned out to be a nightmare, I decided to just tell her that I was really interested when she told me about the position opening up.

And that was that, I was hired a few days later and they didn't even both considering anyone else. But like I said, the job turned out to be a nightmare and she was kind of nuts, I knew it all along but I thought I could help her. Err no. Some people can't be helped.

Anyways, you have a voice Amanda and you're very pleasant, so speaking to her would help you I think.

[thetreble 19]

The other person that he/she has appointed to run the show while the other one is out of town - is she a manager or supervisor? I just wonder, if she is in that type of position and whether the person who appointed her as the contact just automatically thought of her when the situation arose.

If not, are they perhaps friendly.

The person is a friend of mine. She is not in any type of management position. She is great at her job and very helpful to me on a daily basis. She is also fairly new at her own job.

She doesn't manage people at the moment and does not wish to manage people in the future, although she does technically have a higher title than me. (Although not by much..)

I work in transportation and parking and she oversees all the budgets of the many departments in facilities. (maintenance, housekeeping, transportation, etc.)

So she works on our budget with us but not closely involved in any other area of the operation.

The Assistant VP is a really great guy and great boss, but they do seem to have a very close relationship. (not insinuating anything there) I guess he felt she was capable of doing some things I'm not for a few days because he is swamped and doesn't have time to really oversea me and anything that happens.

I know I just have to bite the bullet as my boss will come back and everything will go back to the way it was before.

I guess I just felt a bit snubbed and that my capacity to pick up on things and just generally think on my feet is pretty good. I have worked in transportation since I was 16. I'm now 24. There is so much that I know but that my job doesn't allow me to get out there and put on the table.

Thanks every one for your advice. It is all good stuff. Also, thanks for listening!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It can be tough to be in that position and I understand fully. If a change isn't likely what you can do to 'help' yourself is to approach both your new manager and the Assistant VP and just let them know that you are interested in helping them out in whatever way you can while they are short-handed and that you feel you can take on additional workload and responsibilities to help out both of them while they are carrying a heavier workload - and then do it. You will be seen as a team player, a person who pro-active and supportive, and they will remember how you were willing and able to help out during this time. I am sure your boss, when she returns, will also hear about your support. You can still treat this as an opportunity that will have a positive impact on your future. And don't ever believe you won't get another chance - you will have lots of them in your life and career, so perhaps it is just a matter of turning what could be lemons into lemonade and you may actually put yourself in line for another 'chance' with this particular situation, too.

I do suspect that it wasn't anything personal in their decision - but agree, you don't want to harp on it. Ask directly, and regardless of the answer, be supportive and constructive during this time and it will all come out in your favour.

Edited February 6, 2009 by Kathryn41

[thetreble 19]

just let them know that you are interested in helping them out in whatever way you can while they are short-handed and that you feel you can take on additional workload and responsibilities to help out both of them while they are carrying a heavier workload - and then do it. You will be seen as a team player, a person who pro-active and supportive, and they will remember how you were willing and able to help out during this time.

I already did that. I made them both know I will help in any way I can. That is always a great way to get ahead. I'm willing to put in the work that is for certain.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Good for you! That's great.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

keep asking girl - kathryn's right on the meny with that advice.

Don't ever ne shy about repeatedly offering yourself up as you have, eventually they will get the picture, I'm a big believer in promoting myself and making myself useful. Anything you can come up with in the way of a new process that will save time, money, resouces for the company might be helpful. Sometimes new ideas aren't met with enthusiasm initially, but evnetually they'll realize you're a hard worker

My current position isn't exactly what I wanted it to be but I'm hoping that my success on my projects (doing them my way) will show that I am more then capable - it's opened doors for me already in just 10 months

Cheers - sorry for the ramble

[thetreble 19]

You are right, Udella. I just find it hard to actually take the reigns. When you are someone's assistant you really don't have much control or opportunity to say, "I want to take this on all by myself.."

There is huge oversight in almost everything I do, especially because it's the government.

what I think is bothering me kind of, is now the VP is giving her tasks that I would usually handle by my own without my boss even thinking twice to step in. I feel demoted a little. The AVP has basically said to me I must ask her permission to do almost anything or before I do anything I have to get the ok from her. I don't even have to do that for my own boss.

I think I'm just having one of those fridays where I'm completely spent.

[trailmix 77]

You are right, Udella. I just find it hard to actually take the reigns. When you are someone's assistant you really don't have much control or opportunity to say, "I want to take this on all by myself.."

There is huge oversight in almost everything I do, especially because it's the government.

what I think is bothering me kind of, is now the VP is giving her tasks that I would usually handle by my own without my boss even thinking twice to step in. I feel demoted a little. The AVP has basically said to me I must ask her permission to do almost anything or before I do anything I have to get the ok from her. I don't even have to do that for my own boss.

I think I'm just having one of those fridays where I'm completely spent.

Bah...that does sound like a bad work day!

Also sounds like the VP doesn't know you very well.

I hope the rest of your day is happier

[Tankgurl38 0]

Welcome to the world of working for the Government, lots of things happen that have no rhyme nor reason.

And I guess even with feeling down....you should be very happy that you are not one of the Thousands of people in the US who now are unemployed and don't have a job to feel down about.

[Sprailenes 47]

Amanda is no stranger to working for the government.

Just sayin.