STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Girl I was so worried when I saw this topic revived.  I was like what the heck is going on with AJ again! I'm so glad it was just that.  I actually got a similar call a few months ago from a job agency that I worked with 2 years ago! When I worked with them before they had me all confident I'd get the job because they placed someone in the position before and talked it all up and I didn't get the job and they weren't going to tell me! I was so mad.  Then out of the clear blue I get a call from them wanting to know if I still needed a job... umm hello! I didn't sit around waiting on them to find me another job for 2 years.  I just politely told them I was no longer in that career area and that I had moved on and would no longer need their assistance.  I guess its just their job type.

Funny how things work out.  I was just about to settle for a lower level mindless job and I got this other one. I'm getting more excited about it as the day goes on.

Andrea Julie honey - you're not failing, you're learning a new game. It's only normal that it's hard at first. I had a really long post that I lost by accident. So this will be short, but trust me: some companies treat everyone like dirt. The most respected and successful people at my last job had to do things like trade offices for no reason. If a company treats you badly when you're at the bottom of the ladder, they will continue to do so as you move all the way up. And then they will dump you because your salary is too high. It has NOTHING to do with you. They will do it to anyone.

And yes everyone has to put up with some things they don't like. Don't worry about that, if you like your job you wont' mind the other stuff. It sounds like you are really distressed by people lying. Anyone would be, it's very different from school, where someone who lies will probably get caught and face at least criticism and censure. At work, there's more of an "anything goes." attitude.

The thing is, though, you learned to play the game in school. So you will learn this game too. You caught on right away to the scam in the headhunter's game. You seem to have a good handle on how people are treated in your office. You caught on to the "just take this low-paying, low-prestige job an we'll do, um, something, for you later..." (never happens).

I know this sounds crazy, but I think you're just working too hard. People probably resent you for it, too. If not, they enjoy taking advantage of you.And it obviously doesn't pay off. It makes more sense to use your fabulous work ethic for you. What do you want? Who can help you get there? What do you need to do to get their attention? Who do you like working with? What do you like doing? What makes you look good on paper? Just work on these things and forget staying late to do everyone else's job. No one knows what you do. Not even your boss. So define yourself any way you want, whatever you think will help you get where you want to go. It doesn't matter.

You can do this. You're obviously bright, talented and pretty sharp. Forget expecting people to act the way they do in school. Trust your instincts. And start putting your talents to work for you, not everyone else. Good luck. You're going to be great!