Question: “I was offered a promotion seven months ago to a newly created position with new responsibilities and a salary increase. Originally, five people did the job, and now it is just me. One area is very fast-paced and involves registering patients and answering a constantly ringing telephone with people wanting appointments. The second area involves faxing patient documents. The third area involves detailed billing responsibilities. I can accomplish all three roles, but I’m not doing it efficiently. I recently received a good evaluation and another salary increase.

I feel overwhelmed and that I am never completely done. I have spoken to my supervisor about the magnitude of the job. The response was ‘I understand and I will see what I can do.’ How should I handle this? Should I move on? Am I not giving myself enough time?”— LEW in crisis

Question: “I am looking at different ways to take risks in the workplace/office. Where can I find information on this topic?” — Lisa Hensley

Question: “Is it appropriate to ask during an interview what the company policy is regarding giving references? I worked for a company for two years, and then decided to move on. It was then that I learned about the company’s strict “no-reference” policy. It was not mentioned in the employee manual. Now I have a gap in my references that looks bad through no fault of my own.” — Donna Byerly

Question: “How can I get a promotion if I am an administrative assistant and work in manufacturing? I have been at the same position 15 years. Could I propose a new one? What do you suggest?” — Rose Gonzalez

Question: “I need to write a self-appraisal, which I am finding very hard to do this year because our company has been bought out and I am unsure if I will have a job once the conversion is complete. How can I make positive comments when I’m not sure that I have a future with the new company? Should I write the self-appraisal as if it was a résumé?” — Patti Shafer

Question: “A few months ago, a reader inquired about web sites regarding salaries. I checked them out only to find that I am significantly underpaid. My title is assistant to the director of HR. The other admin in our small company is the assistant to the executive administrator. She also assists the president/owner on a daily basis. We both handle “extremely confidential and sensitive” material.

Our wages fall between $14 and $15 an hour. Is our pay sufficient for the work we perform?” —Elly

Question: My current position is Corp. Receptionist. I recently interviewed, but did not get, an Exec. Asst. position with the president of the company. I do not have Quicken experience, which was a requirement. Would an HR manager consider me a "job hopper and high risk" employee if I started looking for another position outside my company? — Debbie Reimer

Question: I would like to take a course(s) on Professional Organizing to enhance my administrative professional skills.  I've already checked with NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers), but I’m still searching for "live" (not online) courses that I can take.  I've also already checked Skillpath, Fred Pryor and any number of seminars.  I've found nothing.  Any suggestions on how I can get thorough training on being a professional organizer? — Pamela A. Johnson

Question: I’m looking for sample job descriptions for an executive assistant to the President/CEO.  Any ideas where to look? — Frannee Johnson

Question: “I’m having a hard time finding training programs for administrative assistants. Can anyone suggest training/skill-building programs in the Austin, Texas, area?” —Tonia Bouldwin

Question: What is your opinion?  An individual is job searching, and she’s three months pregnant. Does she inform a potential employer that she’s pregnant (voluntarily)?  If so, how?  If not, after she’s employed ... how and when? Should she just stay at her current employer? - Jean/Kansas

Question: I am currently employed in Southern California, but I am looking for employment in Dallas, Texas. I am an executive assistant and have an excellent work record. I have applied for many jobs online that I am completely qualified for, but I don't get any feedback. I believe this is because I am not located in Texas. If I found employment in Texas, I would give notice immediately here and move within two weeks. Is there any way to find employment before relocating? -- Help

Question: With the ever-rising cost of materials, especially gasoline, the need for additional income has surfaced as a means of making ends go a bit farther. As a single mother, I would like to do some work-at-home clerical jobs to help with the budget. Has anyone had any experience with this type of employment or do you know of any legitimate organizations that offer at-home based work?  -- Anonymous

Question: Last year, my boss reassigned my direct report to a new supervisor because it "wasn't fair" that the supervisor didn't have a direct-report secretary while one of her peers did. The consequence of my boss's action stripped me of my supervisor status, thus preventing me from attending any supervisor meetings and/or training sessions. Was this a just act? I’ve had no performance issues and over 20 years of excellent reviews. Any advice? -- Anonymous

Question: I'm an unemployed HR Manager and I recently interviewed for an Office Manager position at a 45-person law firm. Believe it or not, the Managing Partner asked me if I was married and had children. I really think he didn’t know better because they don’t have any HR people working at the firm.

Knowing I shouldn't respond to the question, but yet needing the job and not wanting to blow my chances of being hired, I answered the questions. How should I have handled it?

I'm thinking that if I get the job, then I should point out the illegality of what he asked and inform him what he legally can and cannot ask. It also crossed my mind that he knew exactly what he was doing and wanted to see if I would answer the question.  -- Susan

Question: I'm a seasoned EA who joined a small firm a year ago. Because of my experience and background, I've stood out to the firm's management. Yesterday, I was told by the CEO that I will now be supporting him, and his current assistant (who is lacking) will be reassigned. To me, this is a promotion but no additional salary was brought up. Our raise reviews are next month and he said that my review will be handled by my current boss (senior partner). Should I bring up salary with the CEO or should I wait until next month? I probably make more than the other assistant but my salary is in line with salaries in my city.  -- Anonymous

Question: Three years ago, I joined my company as a receptionist. Having worked previously in management positions for several years, this was my “foot in the door” position with a well-respected company. After less than a year, I was promoted to an assistant position.

For two years, I've been extremely successful in my position. I've trained new staff that was considered upper management and have filled in when we lacked employees. I'm now in a position that I got by default when a co-worker left, and I am miserable sorting through papers and numbers.

I have continuously been told that I am great at my job and my boss can’t afford to lose me in this position. My interests lie in a more hands-on management-type position, and I'm becoming extremely frustrated that I'm not being transferred because I excel at my current job. To make matters even more complicated, I am the youngest person in the office and have been told to “be patient.”

There are also conflicts with some of the older women in the office, to the point that they've tried to have me fired. (My boss supported me 100 percent.)

I work in a male-dominated field and get along great with most of the people in my company. How do I make my manager understand that I want more responsibilities? How do I reconcile with the older women and make my managers forget the past?  -- Anonymous

Question: First of all, thanks to everyone on here who takes the time to network in such a great manner!

I'm an executive assistant without a college degree in Atlanta. I was home-educated through graduation in 2003 and excelled in my studies, many of which were on a college level. I’ve read extensively (marketing and economics textbooks, communications, administrative handbooks, and so on) and want to take the GED soon.

After I take the GED, I plan to continue on the path toward an associate's degree, and I really would appreciate and value any advice. I’m not sure where to go, what to study, how to pay for it, how to get in, etc. I’ve read SO much online and in books, but everything is so geared toward high school students.

I’m also interested in information possibly from those who were also home-educated and have made the transition or those who didn’t finish high school but later returned to finish a degree.  -- Wanting to learn in Atlanta

Question: I'm going to be taking on the responsibilities of someone who is leaving the company. What's the best way to ask for added compensation for this, since they aren’t going to be paying the person who's leaving? I just don’t want to be taken advantage of.

Thanks!  -- DH

Question: I am the executive assistant for the CEO/president of a small (45 employees) company. The boss frequently travels, either on business trips, family trips or hunting trips. While he's gone, he might check his e-mail once a day, but he relies heavily on me to check his e-mail, handle things that I can, return calls, answer questions, etc. Usually, once a day, he’ll call and get any pertinent info from me.

He gets about 30 e-mails a day and one or two calls. About five of his e-mails contain something that needs to be handled; most are simply “junk.”

When he’s around, I have JUST enough to keep me working very slowly. I feel as though I'm not used to my potential; I really prefer to be TOO busy! I have assumed all the responsibilities he will allow, I assist others in the company as much as I do him, and do a lot of research on potential customers, partners, vendors, etc., without being told. I have PLENTY of initiative, I go above and beyond constantly, and I do a lot of things. But when he's gone, I literally could get all my “work” done in one hour a day!

It’s very frustrating, because I don’t feel like I’m worth my paycheck, sometimes. But there’s nothing I can do to remedy it. He has specifically said I’m doing more than he would ever ask and that I’m capably handling SO much and the folks in the office all have their jobs to do and any offers of assistance I give are usually politely declined. I mean seriously: I don’t feel like he needs me to be in the office while he’s gone. We have a telephone system and VPN, and I could literally work from home and be JUST as available.

I don’t really want to push for that, because he really doesn’t like folks to telecommute. He likes them to be in the office, especially me being the “face” of him when he’s not here. Inevitably, things arise that I might need to make a decision on.

I paid for an online continuing-education course from a local college and have been doing my studies at work. Seeing as it’s an administrative course, I don’t feel bad about that. But after that, I'm still left with three to four hours a day with absolutely NOTHING work-oriented to do because I have DONE IT ALL, already!

My long story boils down to this: Should I look for another job that's more fast-paced and I feel like I’m worth my paycheck?

Should I try to talk to him about working part-time while he’s out of town?

Should I feel guilty on a day like today when our gas has been turned off due to a leak the gas company has to locate, I feel sick (several employees have the stomach virus going around), have a headache, have nothing to do, have received ONE single e-mail in two days that I could do anything with, and made a copy of a receipt for one other person? Should I be feeling guilty for checking my e-mail? What am I missing?

I’m so frustrated because I have a VERY strong work ethic and a fast-paced mentality, one can reorganize the files only so many times!

HELP! I don’t want to be watching the clock!  -- Liz

Question: I work in the office management/HR department. My manager recently told me that the VP of sales wants me to be part of the sales department to make outreach calls (while still being part of the OM/HR department). I appreciate that he sees what I am capable of doing and I would normally be excited about the opportunity, but here is the situation:

A couple of months ago, I was asked to join the sales department as a rep for South America and the Caribbean. I decided to take the move into the sales department and was excited about using my Spanish skills and learning the other side of the company. I tried it and I learned a lot, but realized that it wasn’t for me.

During that time, I was supposed to receive a performance review after three months. Instead, I received a write-up (but not really). The write-up stemmed from an incident with a co-worker. I did not take it any further than that incident itself, and it was obvious that the co-worker discussed it with the manager and the manager took her side without even discussing the situation with me.

I was furious, but being the person that I am, I kept my mouth shut and decided that I should go elsewhere.

Am I wrong in thinking that the move from administrative assistant to sales rep should come with an increase? I know for a fact that if someone were to be hired from the outside, he or she would make a lot more than I would and that I would never receive such a jump in my salary because it's an inside move.

Anyway, I was changed from being a rep for South America and the Caribbean to a rep for the East Coast. Even though the manager knew I was not ready for such a fast-paced region, she decided to throw me into the water because she had to take on another role and would not be in the office for support. It did not work out.

During my job search, an opportunity came up to return to my previous position in the OM/HR department, and here I am.

My current manager understands that I am not comfortable with going back to sales and why. There is an obvious lack in management skills and I didn’t receive the raise that I was offered when I took the position, among other issues. The problem is that she said I should be a team player and that, traditionally, when one is asked to help, one shouldn’t say "No."

My current position already requires me to be a team player all the time and go above and beyond my title to complete the jobs of two co-workers who are not efficient workers. I told my manager that I would not take the position without an increase. I'm trying to stand my ground, but it seems like the VP is making this a mandatory change. What do I do now?

Please help!  -- Anonymous

Question: Nepotism: A big word that finally came to me under much distress. I'm a fairly new administrative assistant, although I think the position could easily be called something less; just being called that stresses me. Anyway, I work for a nonprofit organization where nepotism is going on.

It's really difficult to see others mistreated because a family member works next to them. Relatives work in the same department. Some people know of the "family affair" but say nothing for fear of losing their jobs.

The head person is too close to one of the high managers who allows this, so that person is unsafe to talk to; the HR manager is aware, obviously, but seems to either act like it's unknown or figures a way "around" the rules.

Is there not anything that can be done? Do we just live with it or go elsewhere?  -- Anonymous

Question: Previously, someone asked about a VA. This sounds like a very interesting avenue for me to take. Is this really working for some of you out there? How did you get your clients? How do you get your name out there for companies to hire you on?

Thanks! -- Tami

Question: My problem is how do you ask for a raise? I started seven months ago and was told at the time I was hired that I would be eligible for a raise in six months. Well, it has been six months and I have not heard anything yet from the management.

I am pretty confident they are impressed with my work ethic and the amount I can produce. Do you think it is too soon to ask?  -- SRW

Question: In my company of approximately 125 people, all non-exempt personnel are required to punch a time clock. That was instituted by the boss's wife, who is the director of operations.

There are two executive assistants in the company. One supports the director of operations, and the other (me) supports the president. I did not like punching a time clock after almost 20 years as an executive assistant, but I could not get my company to change my classification. The assistant to the director of operations, however, is not required to punch in.

When I began to make waves about our both having the same title and both being non-exempt, the director of operations changed her assistant's title and made her exempt. That's because her assistant refused to punch in and said she would quit if she had to.

My boss is the president and founder, but he doesn't want to be involved in any of these issues, and I can't count on him for any help. Our HR is overseen by the director of operations, so there is no help for me there, either.

The company pays well and has fabulous benefits, bonus and a paid holiday shutdown. Besides that, I like my boss, and my job is very interesting. But I know I'm much more qualified and experienced than the other assistant, and I'm having a hard time dealing with her being salaried and my being non-exempt and punching a time clock.

I wonder if anyone might have any thoughts on this, and thanks.  -- Anonymous