Message #59673

[countrigal]

And to piggyback on what MsMarie has stated... you asked others how they perceived PA's in other companies... this was not what your boss's said or the impression they gave you of what they wanted (ie: the loner).  You don't have to stop eating with others and making contacts and being friendly to do what they have requested of you.  If you feel this is demeening you, to have to report every hour or whatever, on what you're doing, where you are on a project, etc, then this might not be a good fit for you.  But remember, you are on probation and they don't yet really know your work skills, ethics, etc and may have a wholly altruistic reason for asking for these updates rather than the "out to get you" reason that you seem to have taken from this.  Do your job, remain professional, and listen to the feedback that they give you and you may find that they need fewer and fewer updates from you and you will have grown with your position.

A good bit of advice for anyone in any situation is to put yourself in the other person's shoes...  Try to see things their way...  Can you see why they may or may not be acting or requesting how/what they are?  Especially when it's a new position and both the hiree and hired are trying to really determine the fit of the role and personality, and what duties should/shouldn't be done at this point, etc.  It may simply be that your predecesor had so many duties that she was unable to do all that they wanted, and they are simply wanting to keep abreast of your duties and how long it takes you so that they can see if they can add to your duties, develop the role more (down the road) etc.  Not all is a negative.

Gee, just remain your positive, professional self and do your best to give them what they want while you wait to see where this is going.  Head up, smile, and things will be what they will be.  But you know your skills, they just have to learn.

CountriGal
Peer Moderator