Happiness is not applicable.
I wrote a post about personality as it relates to jobs. The common statement most people agree on is this : Find a job and consistently work a job best suited to your personality. That statement is not wholly applicable to everyone. Of course exclude myself when you consider what every other member has said to me in past discussions. You need to explain to me how I'm supposed to want to work a job I'm clearly neither interested in, much less could generate any sort of happiness or satisfaction about. Most people I've argued with work the kind of jobs I've stated I could do with my eyes closed. They don't have to agree, just be amazed when I prove them wrong if/when given the chance. ___________________________________________________________________________________ What kind of job do I think is best suited to my personality? Something low-key and high paid. Being a non-descript office assistant. Working in an office provided for me to create and complete various projects. An office manager, clerk, business executive's assistant or engineering assistant. With my own conglomerate of technology skills I can upgrade and maintain a company's network. Behind the scenes entry level work. What have most people suggested? Low grade, no skill labor only two class of people seek. Poor minorities living in asbestos lead paint section 8 housing and illegal aliens who cross the border. - Yeah and they wonder why my responses to them are constantly met with a lot of abrasiveness. Whatever response you do give, I'll leave it as is ( I promise ) and let this be just a string of pure suggestions only. All I ask is that you write good ones, no mouthing off, smart mouth easy one line answers or jibberish.
( Should be pretty simple for you idiots right? But of course I have my doubts. )
To be honest, I haven't read enough about your skill set to know what type of jobs you'd excel at. I can take your word at your own suggestions, but speaking from experience: low-key and highly-paid rarely go hand in hand; same goes for "behind the scenes entry level" and complex projects. They're usually contradictory. Why? Because, you have to work up to something to get your hand in complex projects or create them for yourself. There's actually an article on WSJ.com today about it - new college graduates who take their first job, and are bored, underworked, and want more stimulation, more responsibility. It's not just you or them. When I had my first job, I wanted more responsibility and complex projects as well, could've handled more and definitely COULD do my job with my eyes closed (in about 2 hours of an 8 hour day) but again, you have to work your way up. Here's the link for anyone interested: http://www.careerjournal.com/myc/climbing/20070622-meehan.html?mod=RSS_Career_Journal&cjrss=frontpage&cjpartner=wsj_hpp You strike me as intelligent, but very abrasive. I have no way to know if this is how you come across in your job search or just on these boards. But, you could do a variety of careers if you had a better attitude. I work in marketing, consumer products. It's a highly competitive field. With responsibility it can bring great creativity, analysis, and innovation. It's a great fit... for me. If you feel that you wouldn't be satisified with being an executive assistant, don't seek it out. You probably will be bored within 6 months and the hiring manager can tell and it ends up being a self-fulfilled prophecy that you don't get the job. I could list off a variety of careers, but I'm not "What Color is Your Parachute". My mentor once told me, write a list about 5 things you just love to do, whether it's completely superficial or not. No matter if it's collecting action figures or sports or wine, list them down, and you can find a job in it. It's true. Those jobs might be highly competitive, but they're typically out there. And go from there. I recommend the book "Roadtrip Nation". It was very popular, so they created a PBS show and also a website, with great stories that show there's no one set path to happiness in a career. Again, a link to anyone who is interested: http://www.roadtripnation.com/ I don't mean to sound preachy or philisophical, but this is how I've gone about my search, which has been a long, bewildering road. Regardless, I've given you my opinion, and hope not to receive some retort back. But take it for what it's worth and good luck. monsterreading, have you been an executive assistant? I'm gathering that you have not. The reason I ask is because having been one, I can tell you that it is far from boring. I consider myself smart and love change and challenges. The reason I became an EA is because it offers just that. It doesn't surprise me that someone who has not actually been an EA will come out and say they can do the job. Obviously, they are under the old stereotypical thoughts that the EA just answers the phone, types and makes coffee. Frankly, EAs don't answer the phones or make coffee - that is a receptionist's job. On the other hand, the EA handles much management responsibility, including roles as project manager, software trainer, negotiator (with clients and vendors), purchaser, financial planner/budget preparer, event, meeting and travel planner, desktop publisher and many times interviewing and hiring of staff. Technical aptitude is only a small part of what an EA needs and it is not the sole thing they do. If you just want to do computer rebuilding and the like, that's an IT job, not an EA job. The EA has to be skilled and highly knowledgeable of a wide variety of integrated computer software applications. EAs specialize in being the main troubleshooter for software applications and office equipment like faxes, copiers and scanners. The programming and hardware stuff is IT's responsibility. They like it behind-the-scenes and do not want be in the people business like an EA. Qualities necessary to be a successful EA include, but are not limited to: 1. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills (effective listening, excellent writing and grammar, strong negotiating and oral communications). 2. Take initiative. Doesn't wait to be asked to do something. Stays one step ahead of the boss and is able to anticipate what the boss will do in a particular situation. 3. Keeps a very open mind. Realizes that we thought was right yesterday may not be true today. Is willing to look at new information in a new light to make new decisions to keep fresh and current. 4. Thrives in a fast-paced hectic environment. 5. Excellent customer service ability. Establishes rapport with other employees at all levels and from other departments. 6. Innovates. Comes up with new, more efficient ways for doing business in the office. 7. Because a EA represents their boss(es) and the company, the EA has to be an excellent public relations specialist. 8. Business savvy. Needs to be knowledge of how a business operates. That's only a part of what an EA is all about. A person coming off the street saying they want an EA position without having the demonstrative experience to show that they are capable of doing the job will not be hired. It's not an entry level position and not everyone is capable of doing such a job. In fact penguinlover, your assumption is wrong. I have been an executive assistant, so take a deep breath and chill out. If you actually took the time to read my post, and not pinpoint that one sentence, I didn't say it wasn't a challenging job. I said if xxtv has the pre-conceived notion that it's boring and unchallenging, he shouldn't apply since that will come across in the interview process and ultimately in his work ethic. I myself didn't find it challenging enough. That's great that you do. I do know it is a lot of work. You have to have a lot of personality and deal with diverse (and very difficult) people, putting out fires all while taking care of your managing director or vice president or team. Having DONE the job in the consumer products marketing arena, you also have to deal with not participating in the actual innovation and creative process, not attending meetings, traveling, and not having your opinion heard in the development of a product. That wasn't appealing to me long term. To be an excellent assistant, you have to be A-OK with that and the fact that you'll probably always be seen as the assistant, not the boss. I want to be the "boss." This is me. My opinion, my chosen career path, and no reflection on anyone who wants to be an executive assistant. Perhaps your experience has been different. But in my and many of my colleagues' experience (who, as you guessed it, were also executive assistants), we weren't involved. Some weren't happy with it , disgruntled after awhile, bored, and wanted to move up the ladder. Some were OK with it and did their job happily. I chose to pursue a career that I love, not just be able to do. I'm glad you take so much pride in your position, as that is what the TRUE point of my post was; not to illicit a chastising list of what your responsibilities may be on a given day. See, I was all set to give you a serious, thoughtful reply to your post, when you had to throw in that last line: "Should be pretty simple for you idiots right? But of course I have my doubts." How can you ask a serious question and then call any possible responders idiots? Once again, shooting yourself in the foot. xttwo, I really have sympathy for your position but, as many, many others have mentioned, your attitude is the real stumbling block. If you go into interviews acting like you think you're better than the interviewer, you'll never, ever get hired. With no malice at all, I say take a good, long look in the mirror and see if what people on these boards are saying just MIGHT be somewhat true. If you can find a way to take the chip off your shoulder, I really think things might turn around for you. No one says that you have to be happy. Only that you should not be miserable. Being happy is a nice to have; enjoying what you do for a living is actually really nice to have. That being said I liked what Monster had to say. Start with the premise that you have every option open to you; I also will not take away from you that you are intelligent and have the ability to do many things if you would simply put your mind to it. So let us for a moment agree that you will do what is necessary to gain what is necessary in skills / education / capabilities that the market demands once you determine what it is that you actually want to do with regard to a career. Here are the rules.
___________________________________________________________________________ So with the rules in hand make a list of your personal interests. Really just your interests. They don't have to be special or job related. They can be hobbies. They can be simple or complex. Next make a list of things you really hate. Things you really don't ever want to do, ever. This can be on a personal or a professional level. Next make a list of your strengths, be honest what are they? Finally make a list of your weaknesses, again be honest, we all have them. Now look at the rules again. With all of your personality quirks, no insult intended we all have them, all your interests, all your strengths, all your weakness, all your likes and dislikes - what careers are you suited for. What careers (not jobs) get your interest? What do you really want to do? What can you really see yourself doing long term? Really X, you are only in your 30's and you are not stupid. There is nothing that says you cannot change the course you are on. There is nothing that says that you cannot find your niche and be successful at anything that you choose to be successful at - only you determine this. You may think that this is more "hearts and flowers" or "Happiness and Sunshine" but it isn't. It is based on my own experience and the fact that I was in my 30's before things clicked. monsterreading, I need to specify now that the list was not for you but for the other people reading who don't know what the field is all about. In my case, being an EA gave me what I needed to move up. I kept reaching the salary cap fast in jobs. So I did all of my outside stints in professional organizations and in the community to get the additional leadership skills I needed to guarantee a move up. I did get the "boss" job when I was promoted to administrative operations manager. The poster here is in his 30's already - he is not a student just coming out of school. In fact, he doesn't have a higher education. He knows computer and should be looking for computer jobs. He thinks that having computer knowledge is all you need to get into administration. That's very naive. Now I have the challenges of all challenges right now working in the legal field, in litigation no doubt. It won't be long I plan to be promoted to office administrator when the current one retires. LValDean, you do realize that you are asking a lot? :) monsterreading, I took pride in every job I held because I knew that each and every one of them made me what I am today and helped to get me where I am today. I guess that is the work ethic of someone who is not quite a baby boomer and not one of the new generations where they hop from job to job every two years. "low key" "high paid" office job?? Come on, you know the OP well enough to appreciate he does not sincerely want input or advice. The beginning of yet another thread seeking to bait other well-meaning posters and target them with his typical insults and campaign of contempt. Like outatwork pointed out, he began the thread by concluding his post with a negative preemptive assault, indicating in advance that anything others say will be met with his usual hostility and bitterness. "Should be pretty simple for you idiots right? But of course I have my doubts." Res Ipsa Loquitur ...how I'm supposed to want to work a job I'm clearly neither interested in, much less could generate any sort of happiness or satisfaction about. You WANT to pay your rent, put gas in your car and eat every day. Therefore, you do what is required to ensure that happens. If that isn't enough happiness for you, learn how to do something that makes you happy that people are willing to pay money for and that does not land you in jail. Or marry well. Or be adopted into a really great trust fund. Tess | |
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Career Tips
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