STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

kenzie · Chanel

So....

Andrea Julia · Coach

Nylabelle, don't be discouraged. This is how the marketing assistants start out in my company, too. You can tell who has been here longer by the kind of work they are doing. I'm sure that your position will grow into one that uses your skills. Offer your ideas whenever you can. Also, offer to help on bigger projects. Visibility will help you to move ahead and get promoted.

When I started as an editorial assistant, it was like that, too. I even had to help the other assistants out with their copying and crap. However, whenever I was given a "meatier" project, I did great. I also would see things that people that were one level ahead of me and try to get involved in that. Eventually, my job evolved to the point where I was doing a lot of editor work and having other people do the more "assistanty" stuff like copying and mailing because my time was more valuable spent doing more important things.

Stay strong. It will get better, and if it doesn't, like you said, you are not committed to it.

kenzie · Chanel

Andrea Julia wrote:

Nylabelle, don't be discouraged. This is how the marketing assistants start out in my company, too. You can tell who has been here longer by the kind of work they are doing. I'm sure that your position will grow into one that uses your skills. Offer your ideas whenever you can. Also, offer to help on bigger projects. Visibility will help you to move ahead and get promoted. When I started as an editorial assistant, it was like that, too. I even had to help the other assistants out with their copying and crap. However, whenever I was given a "meatier" project, I did great. I also would see things that people that were one level ahead of me and try to get involved in that. Eventually, my job evolved to the point where I was doing a lot of editor work and having other people do the more "assistanty" stuff like copying and mailing because my time was more valuable spent doing more important things. Stay strong. It will get better, and if it doesn't, like you said, you are not committed to it.

Thanks, AJ. My title isn't even marketing assistant, though. Everyone keeps calling me "the receptionist" and I sit at the receptionist desk. I actually did more in my internships than I do now. Actually, the interns here do more than I do.

I'm still on the lookout for something else.

-- Edited by NylaBelle at 10:56, 2005-06-27

poptart · Coach

Nylabelle, I agree with andrea julia. I'm in communications - I've always worked a lot with marketing - and all the editorial and marketing assistants get crappy work at first.

If you like the company, and think you might want to stay there, I would be proactive and start coming up with projects that you think would be beneficial to the company - propose them if needed and 'run with it.' Once they see that you are creative and self-motivated, I'm sure they'll give you more interesting projects.

kenzie · Chanel

Lisa wrote:

Nylabelle, I agree with andrea julia. I'm in communications - I've always worked a lot with marketing - and all the editorial and marketing assistants get crappy work at first. If you like the company, and think you might want to stay there, I would be proactive and start coming up with projects that you think would be beneficial to the company - propose them if needed and 'run with it.' Once they see that you are creative and self-motivated, I'm sure they'll give you more interesting projects.

Yes, I realize this (and thanks for the words of encouragement), however, in my above post (we posted at the same time), I mentioned that I'm not in the marketing department. I'm the receptionist. It kind of blows.

Andrea Julia · Coach

Nylabelle, is this a different job than you mention in your "Wish me luck!" post? Did they misrepresent it in the interviews? I'm confused.

kenzie · Chanel

Andrea Julia wrote:

Nylabelle, is this a different job than you mention in your "Wish me luck!" post? Did they misrepresent it in the interviews? I'm confused.

Yes, it is a different job. That one did not pan out.

It's the job that I posted that I had gotten (don't remember what post it was). However, I was under the impression that it was more of a marketing assistant/administrative assistant in marketing than recepetionist. But, it's not. I'm a freaking receptionist.

I am still in contact with the corporate retailer, however about that position (whic isn't open right now, but may be in the near future). Hopefully, I will hear something from them soon.

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

Receptionists have a lot of power. And you can always order business cards with a better title. Why not use this as a chance to build some good contacts? Andrea Julie's system sounds like a great plan. And um, most places to work suck. I kind of doubt there's something out there that will already be perfect. The trick is to practice having fun with something that kind of sucks, and try making it into something better. Even if it doesn't work, you don't really have anything to lose because it already sucks, right? Hope this doesn't sound too pollyanna-ish. I swear, I've been there and I've had friends who had actual nervous breakdowns because of job related stress...

kenzie · Chanel

Dizzy wrote:

Hope this doesn't sound too pollyanna-ish. I swear, I've been there and I've had friends who had actual nervous breakdowns because of job related stress...

Yes, I understand the nervous breakdown thing--I was there at my last job. And I'd much rather be here b/c I have weekends and nights off. Of course, I don't expect perfection from any place of employment. It's not the place that's bad right now, it's the position. Everyone here is really nice. What I do expect is to see some payoff in the form of a job for all of my hard work through college, during internships and in the past few years since I graduated.

As far as this job, I plan to talk to the head of the marketing department and try to get involved in some projects. I keep my portfolio with me at all times, so I can show it to her if she wants to see it.

I suppose that time will tell.

-- Edited by NylaBelle at 11:18, 2005-06-27

lynnie · Chanel

Does the job pay well enough? I would try to work part time if it doesn't, and use it as an excuse to grow your jewelry business. I am the type to believe that you never are happy until you are working for yourself- or at least you are free enough financially to be able to pick up and leave jobs whenever you choose or pick jobs based solely on interests and not money. There are some jobs I would work for free if I could.

Karina · Chanel

Awww hang in there. I totally agree with what AJ is saying.. and plus, at least you don't have to deal with that bitch of a boss at your old job!

kenzie · Chanel

lynnie wrote:

Does the job pay well enough? I would try to work part time if it doesn't, and use it as an excuse to grow your jewelry business. I am the type to believe that you never are happy until you are working for yourself- or at least you are free enough financially to be able to pick up and leave jobs whenever you choose or pick jobs based solely on interests and not money. There are some jobs I would work for free if I could.

I took a HUGE paycut. If I go to a perm position, it will only be a slight paycut, but until then, I'm probably going to have to move back with my mom and commute 2 hours to work b/c my bf is selling the house. Fun stuff.

I completely agree about working for yourself. I just ordered a new computer, so I will be able to throw myself completely into jewelry design and hopefully, that will start to grow even more.

Hopefully, though, after I speak to the head of the marketing department, I will be able to get some projects.

Karina, yes, I'm very glad to not be dealing with that crazy old boss!!!