Did you enjoy yesterday’s read?
More insights from assistants around the globe
I’m happy to bring you Day Two of this year’s edition of 12 Days of Real Careers.
If you’re just catching up on this celebration of insights and fellow assistants, have a look at yesterday’s post to learn more.
Think of these 12 Days as gifts of experience and wisdom we can all incorporate. To read the full interview from any of these individuals, just click on her or his name.
“Invest in your own career development”
… Take advantage of learning opportunities, invest in your own career development, know your job well, and when opportunities for growth/promotion present themselves take full advantage of it.”
“It’s essential to futureproof our roles by keeping up with technology”
… It’s essential to futureproof our roles by keeping up with technology, which seems daunting as everything’s moving at top speed! We also need to keep up with the networking, even if it’s something that’s out of my personal comfort zone …”
“I have no problem saying ‘no’ to someone if their request goes beyond established boundaries”
Stacey Bre
In addition to our weekly operational meeting, we also scheduled a weekly lunch meeting for the first six months to just really get to know each other. The more quickly the two of you can gain insight into each other’s past experiences and thought processes, the better; it will be well worth the investment in the long run.”
Carry yourself with grace and dignity, and watch and learn from those you respect
Bianca Constance, USA and originally f
After I joined IAAP (the International Association of Administrative Professionals), I realised that professional development was very important. It completely changed my outlook on my job and my work, making me realize that this really was my career. I had always taken great pride in my work, but now it was different. It brought me out of my shell at work. I started reading all the trade papers and periodicals that my executives read and kept up to date on happenings in my industry, freely sharing my observations with my executive – much to her delight, I might add. She, in turn, would share my insights with her colleagues, the company’s management committee, which increased my visibility within the company.”
“Make sure you build a solid relationship with your boss”
For career growth, make sure you get into a community where you can meet other people in the industry and learn from their experiences too. Keep up to date with what’s happening in your network – attend industry events, and use social media as a platform to promote yourself.”
“Find out more about the operational plan or strategic objectives and where your boss/executive and you fit in”
(On working with a new principal/executive): “I do the induction and training for our PA and admin roles. The most important aspect is to get the communication correct from the beginning, and adapt styles where necessary. Find out all those likes/dislikes and the executive’s preferred style – and then work to that style. It is an ongoing and developing process that requires regular check-ins. Also, find out more about the operational plan or strategic objectives and where your boss/executive and you fit in.”
“Accept feedback as a gift”
Julia Schmidt, Norwa
… Time management has a lot to do with the right prioritisation. Therefore, my most effective strategy is doing first the tasks I like less. It will (help us) avoid procrastination. When we procrastinate, we squander away our free time and put off important tasks we should be doing. It is bad management. Another important element is creating realistic deadlines.”
“Being positive about life can get you through anything”
Melanie Sheehy
For me, just being a working mum and seeing that I am achieving my goals at work but also seeing that my boys are happy is an accomplishment. The other accomplishment is seeing how far the Manchester PA Network has come … and to finally say we can recognise PAs in Manchester with the Manchester PA of the Year awards.”
“Build a career of substance”
Chantal Sneijkers, B
Beyond that, I have met some great people from whom I also learned extra soft skills. As well, the cultural differences between the European countries have been personally enriching.”
“ Remember to include strategic and relationship-building activities as well as operational tasks”
Marc Taylor-Allan, England and Australia: “Build a p
Have a dynamic task list. Capture the tasks and activities you must do on a list and update it regularly during the day. Revisit this list frequently and add new items as soon as they appear. Make sure your list gives you a quick overview of everything that’s urgent and important, and remember to include strategic and relationship-building activities as well as operational tasks.”
“Continually strive to better yourself and to grasp every training opportunity”
Liza Young, Scotland: ” Don’t
… Continually strive to better yourself and to grasp every training opportunity. Budgets are tight in the education sector, but it doesn’t have to cost: shadow somebody, be mentored by somebody, look out for in-house training courses. And be prepared to self-learn … This includes keeping up with changing technologies …”
Click any name below for my full interview with any of the Real Careers alumni featured in 2020’s 12 Days of Real Careers
- Day One: Craig Bryson (England; originally from Zimbabwe), Denise Delamain (England), Vicki Faint (NZ), Beth Ann Howard (USA), Florence Katono (Uganda), Solveig Kristensen (Norway), Renée Neverson (USA), James Sobczak (USA), Peyton Tickner (USA), Katherine Vaillancourt (Canada and the Philippines), Catherine Williamson (England)
- Day Two: Rebecca Agyirba Afful (Ghana), Beth Arzy (USA and England), Stacey Brewer (USA), Bianca Constance (USA; originally from Canada), Bonnie Cookson (England), Maria Marsh (England), Julia Schmidt (Norway and Brazil), Melanie Sheehy (England), Chantal Sneijkers (Belgium), Marc Taylor-Allan (England), Liza Young (Scotland)
- Day Three: Lisa Assetta (USA), Margo Baptista (Canada), Kimberleigh Deignan (USA), Debbie Grimshaw (England), Cathy Harris (South Africa), Sofie Koark (Sweden), Janice Parker (England and Australia), Debra Peltz (England), Carolina Siqueira Silva (Brazil), Emily Walker (England), Truus van den Brink-Havinga (The Netherlands), Shirwyn Weber (South Africa)