How long…

15 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 28,2024 at 5:37PM UTC

   I would give it at least a few months. But ask your boss for weekly check-in meetings. To make sure you are carrying out the duties as expected and to allow you to ask questions. If after a few months you are still feeling tied to a desk, and you are not assisting those you mentioned, seek work elsewhere. And maybe a place that is more flexible with your movement. Are you allowed breaks? By law, they are required to provide 2 fifteen minute breaks per every 4 hours you work. If you are not even going out for lunch that is a huge problem and I would meet with HR on that too.

2. AnonymousJune 28,2024 at 5:37PM UTC

   Your role sounds like you will be tied to your desk. If that's not something you will like, then I would see if that other job is still available

3. Cassie SpencerJune 28,2024 at 6:21PM UTC

   Having a conversation with your direct supervisor is a good starting point, reestablish expectations for your role or ask for clarification about your role to help you determine if this is what it will always be like

4. AnonymousJune 28,2024 at 6:51PM UTC

   Agreed here. I have always told myself to at least stick it out for 2 months. Enough time to get acclimated, network a bit and see if it is a good fit for you. Meeting with your direct supervisor and level setting may help. Good luck!

5. AnonymousJune 28,2024 at 7:25PM UTC

   EA in healthcare is always busy (been my career for 30 yrs, now as Sr. EA). Your decision would need to be based on your preference of atmosphere, etc.

   What does your job description state as your responsibilities?

   Have you met with your boss to discuss and clarify? I'd start there. If you aren't satisfied, start looking elsewhere.

6. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 29,2024 at 1:53AM UTC

   When you know, you know.

   A couple of jobs ago, I knew day one. So I never stopped my job search. It look me almost a year to find something else but I was right, it never got any better.

   If you're not happy, fire that resume back up and find something that's a better fit for you.

7. AnonymousJune 29,2024 at 2:18PM UTC

   Well if you replaced a receptionist, you are now the new receptionist. Best is to have a conversation with them about the role and what was described to you and see if you can teach them what a great office administrator does, which is not just answering phones and being tied to a desk. Own it make it yours especially since the role is new you have that opportunity to be bold and take it on. If you are not willing to take that risk and try it and let them know what you need then you should consider changing roles again. Next time ask for a day in the life from the person who is vacating the position if there is one. And perhaps spend some time viewing the office environment so you can see how you will really be spending your day. Good luck.

8. Maggie SoldanoJune 29,2024 at 8:34PM UTC

   I'm sorry you're having such a frustrating experience. It really sounds like no fun. But I've found that when I get that feeling in a new role, it's because there's been no specific discussion about ramp-up expectations. Try creating a 30-60-90 day plan and reviewing it with your manager. They may just have different expectations of how long you need to acclimate or learn the business. The plan will help align your expectations.

9. GirlBossanova934974June 30,2024 at 12:32PM UTC

   What were the SPECIFIC details of "it was doing a lot for our CFO, President and EVP" and who described these SPECIFIC details to you? Did you know the SPECIFICS before you took the job? I would reach out to the person who told you these things and find out when these new tasks are coming your way. In today's world, it is UNWISE to make judgements on fit and when the job is a fit. The reason being that managers come and go from various roles every year or two! What WAS a great fit last year could become a nightmare this year if a manager moves on. It works the other way as well. The best strategy is to always keep an eye on what is going on in the company. BAD MANAGERS usually come in bunches as one bad manager usually brings a mob of non performers with them.

10. AnonymousJune 30,2024 at 5:07PM UTC

    24/7? Chained to a desk. I assume you mean all 8hours. If you’re receiving the pay of a seasoned exec assistant and the duties of a receptionist then they are not strategic or professional. If you ask for more responsibility and they don’t hire a receptionist you’ll have the pleasure of doing 2’full time jobs. Sounds like you’re being wasted and might want to start looking. Call the other company and let them know you’re still interested. They will appreciate that

11. AnonymousJuly 1,2024 at 12:58PM UTC

    Is the other position still open?

12. Jessica FerlandJuly 1,2024 at 3:50PM UTC

    The answer to your question is that it depends on the position, sometimes it can take up to a year to tell if it's the right fit and sometimes you know in two weeks. Generally, whenever you are ready to write here for advice is how long. Do you have supervision meetings with your supervisor? Maybe bring this up during that time or ask for an opportunity to set goals. That said, there is no better way to learn the ropes and personalities as a newbie than to hear the types of calls that come in and see how people act.

13. Beth StevensJuly 1,2024 at 5:25PM UTC

    Perhaps they want you to get to know the business from the ground up first? Answering the phones gives you a chance to get the know the customers and see what kind of flow there is within the office. If people come in at all different times, they could have a type of role that is outside sales or customer contact which means they need to have more flexible "in the office" hours. I agree with many others on this thread that say have a regular meeting with your supervisor to express your interest in doing more than just the receptionist duties (i.e. for the execs you mentioned in your post) but "Office Administrator" kind of covers a lot of the types of duties you've described, so it may have just been a fancy title for exactly what you're currently doing. I also agree that you should give it a few months before truly making the decision that it's not right for you. Good luck!

14. Robin WJuly 2,2024 at 1:16PM UTC

    I once worked a position for 30 days and knew after two weeks that it wasn't going to be a good fit. I collected my paycheck and told them I wouldn't be back, not the recommended way to leave a position but I was done. It wasn't the position I applied and interviewed for. It was supposed to be a marketing position and suffice to say it was sales not marketing. Yes, there is an aspect of sales in marketing, but it was entirely sales.

15. AnonymousJuly 2,2024 at 4:40PM UTC

    Trust your gut. I have worked for 3 places in my career that I knew within 2 weeks were so wrong on so many levels for me. Job was misrepresented, teams were gossipy and unsupportive, I could see I was actually going to be taking on 4 different roles or all of the above. Keep working, keep looking for a new job and try to enjoy the fact that you landed in a super tough market.