Question: I recently joined a company at a very low starting salary simply because a lot of people said there was going to be a separation between the partners who run the company and that would greatly affect our paychecks, and it had a great working environment.

A year and a half down the line, I see neither happening, although I must say the working environment is very good and it is a nice place to be. But I can see a lot of people slowly deciding to move on to greener pastures, and the company is either ignorant of the reason they are losing these people or chooses to be blind.

The management has recognized my contribution and is very supportive and aware of my hard work. I have been promised a lot of growth and a great future as the company grows. But, although the growth is a fact, I can't see much in terms of salary changes, given their history. My questions are:

1.      Is it worth having a talk with my manager, to revise my salary significantly?

2.      Should I waiting for the changes to take place?

3.      Should I just move on?

To make things worse, a few months ago, another person was hired in the same position as mine but at a much higher salary, although that person's performance is not at all at par with the company's standards or the claims on their CV. (This is based on a probationary review.)
Having had my annual appraisal around now, I expected an increment to at least level off our salaries, if not take me a level higher. It has, in fact, been just a 20% increase!

I really need some expert advice here, as I am at a crossroads!  -- Anonymous

Question: I read Personal Report for the Administrative Professional every month for career and work tips. But what other resources are out there for an ambitious admin who wants to better herself?  -- Josie, Virginia

Question: I would like to get feedback about a job description. The job is for a secretary at a real estate office. The job has been open for several months.

A portion of it states: “You need to be okay with being micromanaged and prepared to continuously check in.  You need to be "thick skinned."

I showed this job description to a friend who wanted to apply. When she asked if I had considered it, because the salary is about $10,000 more than I make now, I said that I wouldn't apply because it sounds as though you'd have to put up with a lot. She said that she didn't get that impression from the job description and that maybe "thick skinned" means you need to be versatile. I disagree. Just interested in what everyone else thinks.  -- Anonymous

Question: What do you do when you have a highly responsible position working for a company that has very limited internal structure or rules and a boss who is sometimes deceitful and difficult to work for?

I have no internal resources such as a human resources department (I'm the person who handles that function), and I work in an "at will" state, where an employee can be fired for any reason at any time.  When I voice my opinions on improvements that can be made within the company, they are usually rejected.  When I request assistance with my position (which is a catch-all of office management, hr, receptionist, admin. assistant), it falls on deaf ears.

My boss has never been straightforward with the employees and behaves in a somewhat deceptive manner.  I have co-workers who would rather "back stab" than attempt to have productive working relationships with each other.  I can't rely on what I have been told and never know what to expect on a daily basis.

The biggest problem is that I desperately need the job for the money.  I realize that resignation is always an option, but I haven't been able to find another job with comparable duties or pay.

The latest event is that I have been advised my position is being restructured, yet somehow, that really meant I was being demoted.  Recently, I received a raise, but got even less respect due to a lower job title.  I really think I'm being kept around only for my skills and knowledge, and I feel I'm being used.  Now what do I do, or what recourse do I have?  -- Anonymous

Question: For the second time, my department has lost its office manager. Being the AA for that position, I have stepped up, above and beyond, to fill the void as much as possible. This time, I decided to ask for the position. I was pretty much denied the opportunity. I feel like I've been cheated because I've taken on a lot more responsibility — HR, office management and supervising roles — and am not compensated or respected for it.  What should I do?  -- Anonymous

Question: I have a co-worker who does very little work and is constantly on the phone (personal calls). When this co-worker took medical leave, I did both my job AND the co-worker’s job, with extra time left over.

The owners are aware of this and have commented that they need to do something with this person but, to this day (it’s been two years), they have done nothing. The owners’ answer is to just add more work to my job, which I feel is unfair since this other person just does nothing.

I think I have intimidated this co-worker, because we no longer have the friendly relationship we had before the medical leave.

How do I keep from getting so frustrated?

HELP!  -- Anonymous

Question: If you’ve taken on more responsibility in the past five years, you aren’t alone. Admins are filling more advanced roles, according to a recent survey of more than 3,200 members of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. So, what new responsibilities have you taken on in recent years, and have they made your job more enjoyable or just more stressful? (Look for more coverage of the IAAP survey in the July issue of Personal Report.)  -- The editors

Question: How did you find your current job (newspaper ad, online ad, personal contact, etc.)? Tell us your story!  -- Amy Beth Miller,
Editor, Personal Report for the Administrative Professional

Question: What advice do you have for an admin who is new to supervising others?  -- Anonymous

Question: I’ve been trying to think of ways to increase my workload around the office.  I do the usual assignments, but many times, I find myself without enough work to fill the entire day.  Do you have any suggestions?  -- Anonymous

Question: The policy on my job is that employees cannot be paid money outside of their regular salary. An employee will cater a training session, but because she is a regular employee, this is supposed to be a no-no. She will be paid through a separate check (other than her paycheck). It was pushed through the director and finance manager, even though they know the policy.

Now, I have to have a training session catered and I’m using an outside caterer. I now look like the bad guy even though I’m following the company policy. I'm looking for other employment, but how do I handle this situation?  -- Anonymous

Question: I am the administrative assistant for a company of about 45 people.  We do billing for multiple facilities, so I am answering the phone all day long. That's besides my regular duties: I also have to scan and distribute the mail, and help the president and vice president with daily duties, not to mention month-end duties.  I also put everything together for new hires.

I do much more than just answer the phones, which is what I believe my co-workers think I do. I am pulled very thin.  Then, I have staff members who need something done NOW.

I love where I work and I don't plan on leaving. But how do I say: "No, I can't help you right now; I have my own job to do"?  Any suggestions?  -- Tami, Wisconsin

Question: What are the first things you do when starting a new position? -- Anonymous

Question: If you have a mentor, how did you find that person and build the relationship? What is the best advice your mentor has given you?  -- Amy Beth Miller, Editor, Personal Report for the Administrative Professional

Question: I've been at my current government position for five years. (Same manager the whole time.)  I’ve interviewed for many positions that I’m well qualified for.  When they call my manager, he gives me a mediocre reference. (He won't put anything negative in writing.)  As he probably couldn’t easily find someone else to do my job, I believe he doesn’t want me to leave. When I spoke with him about the reference, he denied it.

Since I currently perform work for others, too, I offer them as references, too. With my cover letter, application and resume, I include a performance report that my manager has written (saying I'm outstanding and should be promoted to the next level), attached with my rank score. I'm just frustrated that many opportunities have passed me by. I’ve lost respect for him (for being dishonest) and no longer desire to work for him.

What do you recommend I do?  -- Anonymous

Question: During my early years as an admin, I thought I wanted to be a legal secretary. I liked the image of the legal profession: the well-tailored suits, square-cornered briefcases, the idea of being involved in court cases, etc. So, I trained and finally became a legal secretary.

After four years in the profession, in two different jobs, I find that it’s not quite what I expected. My work, for the most part, has involved extensive word processing and back-and-forthing with lawyers. I work at a high level of risk and exposure: leaving out a paragraph or missing a lawyer’s correction can lead to disaster. The pressure is extreme.

Now that I’ve worked hard to get here, though, I’m not excited about redirecting my career once again. What if I make another career mistake?

Any and all advice is welcome!  -- H.P., Tampa, Fla.