"I hate being an Executive Assistant"
Apparently, 20 people have clicked through a blog on my website, having used this long-tail search term. Are y'all doing okay?
Being an Executive Assistant is truly a mixed bag. If you find yourself overwhelmed, and searching for something like that, it might be time to examine what's really going on. I am no stranger to hating a job. I'd go so far as to say that hating most jobs is a core tenant of why I struck out on my own with Tech Savvy Assistant. Being an Executive Assistant can be a powerful accelerator for your career, if you're supporting someone who finds value in what you're doing. A lot of executives, unfortunately, don't know how to work with an Executive Assistant in current times. I've witnessed it in my own home, with having a spouse who is far too considerate of other people's time to try and offload work to the team Executive Assistant. Additionally, a lot of the time an executive is doing niche work, and it's difficult to offload things that take specific knowledge.
If you're finding this blog, because "I hate being an executive assistant" rolled off your fingertips late one Friday night, and you're not sure where you're going, I'll ask a few things:
Are my job duties clearly defined? Being uncertain about what your job entails can create stress and dissatisfaction. Make sure you have a clear understanding of your responsibilities and that they match your job description.
Am I overwhelmed with the workload? Executive assistants often juggle multiple tasks. Are you feeling burnt out or overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do? If so, you might need to discuss delegating tasks or managing workload expectations with your executive.
Do I feel valued and respected? This relates to the way you are treated by your executive and colleagues. If you feel that your work isn't being acknowledged or you're not treated with respect, it could be a major factor in your dissatisfaction.
Is my work-life balance skewed? Executive assistants often work in high-pressure environments that may require overtime or irregular hours. If your work is significantly impeding on your personal life and time, it might be a reason for your unhappiness.
Am I being compensated fairly? Are you satisfied with your salary and benefits? If you feel you're not being adequately rewarded for your work, it may be time to negotiate or consider other opportunities.
Do I find my tasks meaningful? Are you engaged with the work you're doing? If the work seems trivial or unfulfilling, it might be contributing to your dissatisfaction.
Are there growth opportunities? If you feel stuck in your position with no room for professional development or career advancement, it might be a reason for your unhappiness.
Do I have a good relationship with my executive? Your relationship with the executive you're assisting is crucial. If there's a lack of communication, trust, or understanding, it can make your job much harder and less enjoyable.
Do I align with the company culture and values? If you're not comfortable in the environment or you don't agree with the company's mission and values, it can make you feel out of place and unhappy.
Do I have the tools and resources to do my job effectively? If you're lacking the necessary support or resources to do your job, it can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction.
Each of these alone would be enough to cause job dissatisfaction, and often, it's not just one thing that's weighing us down. If you find yourself in this place, it can feel really difficult to get out of it, especially as we are entering into yet another once-in-a-lifetime historical event, another recession. With layoffs happening, so many people are going to be trapped in the feeling of "there is no way out."
But there always is. Trust me, I am well versed with starting my life over, and over, and over. You can always find a new job. You can always implement new boundaries. There is always going to be a way that you can change your life and how you feel about it, the best way to start doing so is asking yourself good questions, and really thinking about your answers.