Apparently, I am no good at "leaning in"

[Deleted]

Aug 28, 2014 11:01:32 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Aug 27, 2014 22:09:56 GMT -5 @blissoff said:

I'm crossing my fingers the other job comes through and you can leave this one behind.

I didn't post in the other thread (or don't remember what I said, if I did) but if I were you I wouldn't have taken the job. I'm a risk taker though.

I would have rather picked up a pt hr gig or consult for small companies with no hr until something "perfect" came along.

I hope it gets better for you. But seriously, training on how to schedule meetings in Outlook? That's Intern level stuff. (sorry, not helping)

I still vote for another job. It isn't this one or nothing.

You're awesome!! And you deserve to have a job that brings out your most awesome professional skills!!

I'm not sure how easy it is to get a consulting gig while waiting for the perfect job. You know better than anyone how stressful unemployment can be and if Bucky needs to pay her bills, she needs to pay her bills.

I do agree she should continue aggressively looking for a better job, though. Yes, ultimately this one might pan out but it can be really hard to make the leap from an admin role and I'd hate to see Bucky languish for a year or two hoping to be promoted.

Thanks! I do think I will keep looking.

Honestly I am at this point afraid the recruiter and I had a misunderstanding. I was pretty clear in our initial conversation that this job is not a good fit and not what i am looking for, and I thought she agreed and indicated it would be good to come in short term since they need help NOW but that she sees me in other roles in the department that she believes will be posted within 90 days ( they are in the middle of a restructure and trying to figure out future needs while getting current work done). I thought I was coming in with peoe on the same page as me, that this was truly temporary to help churn out work while they figure out what they need, and then I hopefully will get hired into a new role at that point. I hope nobody expected me to be seeking regular employment in my current position... But maybe they did and either the person who hired me wasn't clear with them or she and I were not clear with each other. Idk. I would never have even applied to an admin role. That's why I got a degree and spent the last several years learning stuff... I don't want to be an admin or even think that is a suitable job for my strengths/skill set.

It does pay the bills for now ( or rather, allows me to feel OK spending money since technically my severance had bills covered for a while) but I may need to lower my expectations that this will be anything other than a time filler until someone else hires me into something I am more interested in.

[Deleted]

Ftr, I believe admin work is the glue that keeps the organization running and a major reason I don't want to be an admin is not because it is beneath me, but because I struggle to stay organized, keep on top of details, remember to follow up on certain things, format documents, etc. I would be a terrible admin. I think I can do this job because I did a lot of this stuff as part of my last jobs, but its not the stuff I ever felt was the best way to shine and always required me to really be on top of things. Add in my inability to sit still and keep myself motivated to do rote tasks, and its just not right for me. But I mean that in no way as criticism of those who do admin work. I frankly admire them!

[LoveTrains]

Bucky, I just wanted to come back to say that I do truly admire your perseverance. I thought it was interesting that while I had noted some of the negative things that had happened recently, others picked up on the positive. I only mentioned the negative because I truly am impressed with your ability to overcome any obstacle thrown your way and come out on top.

[cosmos]

Aug 28, 2014 12:05:59 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Ftr, I believe admin work is the glue that keeps the organization running and a major reason I don't want to be an admin is not because it is beneath me, but because I struggle to stay organized, keep on top of details, remember to follow up on certain things, format documents, etc. I would be a terrible admin. I think I can do this job because I did a lot of this stuff as part of my last jobs, but its not the stuff I ever felt was the best way to shine and always required me to really be on top of things. Add in my inability to sit still and keep myself motivated to do rote tasks, and its just not right for me. But I mean that in no way as criticism of those who do admin work. I frankly admire them!

This post worries me as an HR professional, because all the skills you say you struggle with are necessary to succeed in this career (and most, TBH). Or, those who lack it won't progress. It's not just admins who need to pay attention to detail and keep on top of things. Just my two cents.....

[raangoli]

Aug 28, 2014 12:55:14 GMT -5 cosmos said:

Aug 28, 2014 12:05:59 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Ftr, I believe admin work is the glue that keeps the organization running and a major reason I don't want to be an admin is not because it is beneath me, but because I struggle to stay organized, keep on top of details, remember to follow up on certain things, format documents, etc. I would be a terrible admin. I think I can do this job because I did a lot of this stuff as part of my last jobs, but its not the stuff I ever felt was the best way to shine and always required me to really be on top of things. Add in my inability to sit still and keep myself motivated to do rote tasks, and its just not right for me. But I mean that in no way as criticism of those who do admin work. I frankly admire them!

This post worries me as an Hr professional, because all the skills you say you struggle with necessary to succeed in this career. Or, those who lack it won't progress. It's not just admins who need to pay attention to detail and keep on top of things. Just my two cents.....

Honestly, those are the qualities anyone would need to succeed regardless of whether you are in HR or not. I'd try to use your current position to improve upon these admitted weaknesses. 

[Deleted]

Aug 28, 2014 12:56:43 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Aug 28, 2014 12:55:14 GMT -5 cosmos said:

This post worries me as an Hr professional, because all the skills you say you struggle with necessary to succeed in this career. Or, those who lack it won't progress. It's not just admins who need to pay attention to detail and keep on top of things. Just my two cents.....

Honestly, those are the qualities anyone would need to succeed regardless of whether you are in HR or not. I'd try to use your current position to improve upon these admitted weaknesses. 

I mean I don't disagree. But I think there is a difference between doing those things as part of your job and having them be the entire point of your job. I don't mean I can't possibly do those things, I mean they are things I have to be extra conscious about and some people are naturals and thus better suited for them. I am not saying my work is sloppy or that I drop balls all over the place, I just think some people are more naturally suited for keeping track of details for groups of people and anticipating others needs, and I am not one of them. I have other strengths instead.

[cosmos]

Aug 28, 2014 13:19:41 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Aug 28, 2014 12:56:43 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Honestly, those are the qualities anyone would need to succeed regardless of whether you are in HR or not. I'd try to use your current position to improve upon these admitted weaknesses. 

I mean I don't disagree. But I think there is a difference between doing those things as part of your job and having them be the entire point of your job. I don't mean I can't possibly do those things, I mean they are things I have to be extra conscious about and some people are naturals and thus better suited for them. I am not saying my work is sloppy or that I drop balls all over the place, I just think some people are more naturally suited for keeping track of details for groups of people and anticipating others needs, and I am not one of them. I have other strengths instead.

You are missing the point.

Anyone who is going to advance their career is going to have those skills as a baseline. I can't do my job unless I'm organized.

[Deleted]

Aug 28, 2014 13:24:27 GMT -5 cosmos said:

Aug 28, 2014 13:19:41 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

I mean I don't disagree. But I think there is a difference between doing those things as part of your job and having them be the entire point of your job. I don't mean I can't possibly do those things, I mean they are things I have to be extra conscious about and some people are naturals and thus better suited for them. I am not saying my work is sloppy or that I drop balls all over the place, I just think some people are more naturally suited for keeping track of details for groups of people and anticipating others needs, and I am not one of them. I have other strengths instead.

You are missing the point.

Anyone who is going to advance their career is going to have those skills as a baseline. I can't do my job unless I'm organized.

I just don't think I am explaining myself well. I think of people I have worked with who are great admins and there are certain skills they excel at - for example putting together a good system for filing documents or organizing supplies. They are good at scheduling meetings way in advance and reminding people a few days in advance to add agenda items, then sending out the agenda in advance of the meeting. They are good at formatting new documents to look nice. Etc.

I am not a natural at figuring out how to put things in order. I am more likely to schedule a meeting a week in advance and put together the agenda the hour before. I have trouble when I need to format a document for printing envelopes. That's all I am saying. Its not that I can't do things or I am a mess. I understand what you need to be able to do to hold a job, particularly in HR. Everyone has things they have to actively work on because they are not something you have a natural knack for and everyone has types of activities that they naturally are better at. All I was saying is that my weaknesses are the types of things an admin should feel come natural or at least feel are their strengths.

There are people who are well suited to be an admin. I am not one of them. I may be able to do the job if I work hard at it but I would rather do something I find more natural and that excites more. That's all. I have had a professional job for the last 6 years where there was some admin work but that was not the full extent of my job, and no one has complained about my organization or attention to detail... This is my self assessment of my strengths and weaknesses.

I don't know why I feel so defensive here. I think it is weird to imply that because I don't believe I (or actually most people) am the best suited to be an admin doesn't mean I am destined for career failure. Some of the most successful people I have worked with wouldn't have the first clue how to run things without their admin to organize them.

[halfpint]

I feel where you're coming from, bucky. I would be a terrible, terrible admin. I am not drawn to things like file management, calendar management, scheduling, details like travel arrangements, etc. I have relied heavily on an admin for help with those things throughout my successful 10 year career in HR. Can I do them? Sure. But it's not a strength area for me. Thank God for people who love it and are good at it!

[cosmos]

Aug 28, 2014 15:44:33 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Not everyone in a leadership role is hyper organized or would make a good admin. I actually think it's a little belittling to say successful admins don't have/need a special set of skills.

Who said admins didn't have special skills?Admins most certainly have a great set of skills and a good admin is worth his or her weight in gold.

But lots of roles (at least in HR) require extreme organization - or an admin who is. I can't think of a role in HR where it's not important. We are such a data driven, document oriented field. It's probably true plenty of leadership roles outside HR not may not matter, but Bucky is in HR.

[Deleted]

Aug 28, 2014 16:36:00 GMT -5 cosmos said:

Aug 28, 2014 15:44:33 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Not everyone in a leadership role is hyper organized or would make a good admin. I actually think it's a little belittling to say successful admins don't have/need a special set of skills.

Who said admins didn't have special skills?Admins most certainly have a great set of skills and a good admin is worth his or her weight in gold.

But lots of roles (at least in HR) require extreme organization - or an admin who is. I can't think of a role in HR where it's not important. We are such a data driven, document oriented field. It's probably true plenty of leadership roles outside HR not may not matter, but Bucky is in HR.

Yeah, and I have been in HR longer than you and in positions that probably involve more admin work than yours. So thanks for the advice but you aren't telling me anything I don't know, and frankly when I began this post feeling like a failure it doesn't help to basically be told I am not going to be able to succeed in HR because I feel a successful admin is better at certain things than I am. I can do a ton of stuff an admin could not, which is why requiring different skill sets for different positions is important.

I am also well aware of what people in the type of position I want do as far as admin work, and its not the same as the stuff I am doing now. Certainly there is some skill overlap but it is not the same.

[jerseyjaybird]

Hey, Bucky, I hope you had a better day today. Adjusting to a new work culture can be difficult, but you've handled much more difficult situations with grace---and this will be no different.

[protozoa]

This reminds me of the thread in which gypsy suggested that cosmos become a legal secretary, then cosmos got all offended and backed out of it by saying she didn't have the right skill set to be a legal secretary.

Bucky I hope today went better for you!

[krystee]

@buckybells you have the skills to succeed. If they don't recognize it on this particular team, or if this is the wrong place, someone else will. You've got this!

[Deleted]

I still vote that you should look for something that really is let's you shine. I took my last job because it was the first offer and sounded like a good foot in the door.

And we all know how that turned out. And turns out I was over qualified in many ways.

You're kick ass and you need to find a job that showcases your skills. Not makes you appear stuck up because you know how to schedule meetings in Outlook.

Good luck @buckybells!! You're a kick ass hr person and will find the right place for you and your skills!!!

[tacom]

Aug 28, 2014 14:57:44 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

I don't know why I feel so defensive here.

Because you have people talking down to you, which is bullshit.

Ftr, I think I completely understand where you're coming from. I work in healthcare and attention to detail is important, but so is NOT getting bogged down in all the details and breaking away from strict linear thinking, esp when it comes to diagnostics. I have to put in more effort to (quickly) review reports for typos than I do to come up with a treatment plan on the spot after evaling a patient. Obviously I can get the job done, but different types of tasks come much more naturally than others. I think it's great that you have insight into both your strengths and weaknesses and what positions may speak to those.

[hamster]

I think this is the snarkiest I've ever seen Bucky! It's great.

[cosmos]

Aug 28, 2014 17:41:47 GMT -5 protozoa said:

This reminds me of the thread in which gypsy suggested that cosmos become a legal secretary, then cosmos got all offended and backed out of it by saying she didn't have the right skill set to be a legal secretary.

Bucky I hope today went better for you!

Haha I definitely don't.

I apologize. I don't mean to be condescending. I'll back off.

[cosmos]

Aug 28, 2014 16:59:48 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Aug 28, 2014 16:36:00 GMT -5 cosmos said:

Who said admins didn't have special skills?Admins most certainly have a great set of skills and a good admin is worth his or her weight in gold.

But lots of roles (at least in HR) require extreme organization - or an admin who is. I can't think of a role in HR where it's not important. We are such a data driven, document oriented field. It's probably true plenty of leadership roles outside HR not may not matter, but Bucky is in HR.

Yeah, and I have been in HR longer than you and in positions that probably involve more admin work than yours. So thanks for the advice but you aren't telling me anything I don't know, and frankly when I began this post feeling like a failure it doesn't help to basically be told I am not going to be able to succeed in HR because I feel a successful admin is better at certain things than I am. I can do a ton of stuff an admin could not, which is why requiring different skill sets for different positions is important.

I am also well aware of what people in the type of position I want do as far as admin work, and its not the same as the stuff I am doing now. Certainly there is some skill overlap but it is not the same.

I agree they are different skll sets.

And I am not trying to make you feel badly. I was trying to help but I went too far. I'm sorry.

[lasagnasshole]

Wait wait wait. Did we just have a civil exchange that ended with an apology?

BUT THIS IS THE INTERNET, PEOPLE!

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT.

[cosmos]

Aug 28, 2014 19:03:31 GMT -5 lasagnasshole said:

Wait wait wait. Did we just have a civil exchange that ended with an apology?

BUT THIS IS THE INTERNET, PEOPLE!

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT.

Haha. I'm too old for this shit.

[LoveTrains]

jenny1980 went to ML and came back with a mean streak! LOL.

[Deleted]

Aug 28, 2014 18:52:32 GMT -5 cosmos said:

Aug 28, 2014 16:59:48 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Yeah, and I have been in HR longer than you and in positions that probably involve more admin work than yours. So thanks for the advice but you aren't telling me anything I don't know, and frankly when I began this post feeling like a failure it doesn't help to basically be told I am not going to be able to succeed in HR because I feel a successful admin is better at certain things than I am. I can do a ton of stuff an admin could not, which is why requiring different skill sets for different positions is important.

I am also well aware of what people in the type of position I want do as far as admin work, and its not the same as the stuff I am doing now. Certainly there is some skill overlap but it is not the same.

I agree they are different skll sets.

And I am not trying to make you feel badly. I was trying to help but I went too far. I'm sorry.

Don't worry about it. I know I'm being extra sensitive this week anyway. It's really unlike me to cry at my desk, lol. I think getting up early and long days/commute after being off 2 months isn't helping

[LoveTrains]

Aug 28, 2014 19:53:43 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Aug 28, 2014 19:36:13 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

jenny1980 went to ML and came back with a mean streak! LOL.

Ha! I think I'm nicer over there. I blame my diet.

You know I was just kidding.  (heart) nice to see you over here again. 

[cosmos]

Aug 28, 2014 19:27:01 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Aug 28, 2014 17:41:47 GMT -5 protozoa said:

This reminds me of the thread in which gypsy suggested that cosmos become a legal secretary, then cosmos got all offended and backed out of it by saying she didn't have the right skill set to be a legal secretary.

Bucky I hope today went better for you!

It's here: pandce.proboards.com/thread/139919/why-law-school?page=2.

I love ya cosmos but you routinely described yourself as unorganized before your shift to HR. It's sort of obnoxious to imply that Bucky can't or won't be successful, especially when you have identified similar weaknesses in yourself.

Yes I was. Very much so. Until I was diagnosed with ADD and now am medicated.

[bronxgirl]

Aug 28, 2014 16:59:48 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Aug 28, 2014 16:36:00 GMT -5 cosmos said:

Who said admins didn't have special skills?Admins most certainly have a great set of skills and a good admin is worth his or her weight in gold.

But lots of roles (at least in HR) require extreme organization - or an admin who is. I can't think of a role in HR where it's not important. We are such a data driven, document oriented field. It's probably true plenty of leadership roles outside HR not may not matter, but Bucky is in HR.

Yeah, and I have been in HR longer than you

That's a fair point. While you're new to this company, you're not new to this field. Hopefully tomorrow will be better and you'll find a better, permanent position soon.

[cosmos]

Aug 28, 2014 19:46:15 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

Aug 28, 2014 18:52:32 GMT -5 cosmos said:

I agree they are different skll sets.

And I am not trying to make you feel badly. I was trying to help but I went too far. I'm sorry.

Don't worry about it. I know I'm being extra sensitive this week anyway. It's really unlike me to cry at my desk, lol. I think getting up early and long days/commute after being off 2 months isn't helping

Many hugs Bucky.

[sillygoosegirl]

*hugs*

I was in a situation not unlike this last year. It sucks. It sucks a lot more than it seems like it should. Don't be too hard on yourself. It will get better. Either you'll get into another position that is good for you, or you'll move on to another company.