Would this bother you?

[robbie3982]

Today my boss told me that he volunteered me to cover for the executive assistant to the VP of our division while she''s on vacation. Starting tomorrow. She It''s a large company with 2 segments. Our segment has 3 divisions. Two of those divisions have executive assistants (EAs from here on out) and there''s normally an additional executive assistant for the COO as well. The COO''s EA is out on medical leave and the EA who''s not going on vacation has been covering for her. I''m guessing this is why they didn''t ask her to cover for the EA who''ll be on vacation.

I''m a Marketing Specialist here. My duties aren''t similar to an AE''s in any way. It''s not that I think my job is better or more important, (I was an AE for a short time, so I know they''re important) but I guess I kind of thought I was a bit higher up on the food chain. Don''t get me wrong, I''m going to cover for her with a smile on my face, but I just feel weird about the whole thing. Would it bother you?

 

[movie zombie]

bother?! i''d be pissed. loan me out?! yuck.

movie zombie

 

[Bliss]

Yes, but you know what? You could turn this in your favor BIG TIME. Do it happily (if it comes to this) and KICK A$$. Be so invaluable that the VP cries when it's time for you to return to your regular assignment. And you can also make very important contacts working in his office -- networking and personal connections, as he probably deals with all the higher level execs. Impress the dickens out of everyone with your professionalism and you will probably be promoted soon after. It's all about networking, baby!

If you have to do it, turn it into a promotion & raise. Shine!!!

I have promoted people who I had not known before because we happened to cross paths and I was so impressed with them. They may later go to bat for you. All in all, since it's temporary... you can really gain visibility and it could turn out to be a huge blessing. When I was fresh out of college and interning, I was asked to be an EA for a few weeks while the EA to our CIO was out on maternity leave. Like you, initially I was taken aback. I was like, "Hey, I have an Ivy League degree and did not sign up to answer phones!" But the job was so much more than that. I was really humbled. As an EA, you're really the right hand of the exec. I learned a lot during those few weeks. And I enjoyed it, too! Boy, that job seems stressful compared to what I get to do now! It takes a lot of talent to be an EA. Good ones are worth their weight in DIAMONDS! LOL.

I worked so hard that when the CIO left years later -- he remembered me and wanted to hire me away in a senior level in his new company. Not just that, but I made so many good contacts that I landed my dream job in that company shortly afterward. Don't underestimate networking and brushing elbows with the higher-ups. So many people wait months to see the CEO if they even get to, but in that opportunity I got to interface with him a great deal and did my best job. Turned into the best opportunity for my career.

You are being loaned out because you can do the job and more. It makes YOUR boss look awesome if you shine. He wouldn't have done it if he didn't think it would impress the VP. I wouldn't volunteer someone to another division if I didn't trust them to shine. I'd only loan out my best and brightest. So do an awesome job and I'm sure you will be rewarded with a leg up. It can be a huge compliment.

 

[Sabine]

I would definitely be annoyed. Plus, who is going to do all your work while you are doing hers? Hopefully it will lead to a raise or promotion, although I think you said once that you didn''t think there was much room for advancement in your position...

 

[movie zombie]

ok, i''d be pissed.......but i''d take the Bliss approach and make as many good new contacts as possible and go to work for someone that wouldn''t LOAN me out.

movie zombie

 

[Bliss]

Date: 8/28/2008 5:18:21 PM
Author: movie zombie
ok, i''d be pissed.......but i''d take the Bliss approach and make as many good new contacts as possible and go to work for someone that wouldn''t LOAN me out.

movie zombie

Hehehehe, Movie Zombie I understand your aversion to the word LOAN. It does sound dehumanizing if you think about this business of "loaning" out human beings. But maybe think of it as trading NBA players on different teams. Or guest hosting on SNL? Or fiilling in? Pinch hitting? LOL I know, the term LOAN isn''t my favorite either.

 

[purrfectpear]

I''ve been loaned several times to other divisions in different states. It IS a compliment. They loan me because they know I can deliver. Because of that I can call in favors from almost every state and division that my corporation has. I never worry about layoffs. There will always be a home for me. In aerospace that''s worth a lot.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 8/28/2008 5:18:21 PM
Author: movie zombie
ok, i''d be pissed.......but i''d take the Bliss approach and make as many good new contacts as possible and go to work for someone that wouldn''t LOAN me out.

movie zombie

Ditto. And perrfectpear, you are totally right that it is a compliment about her abilities since the yare asking her help in a crunch, but at the same time, since it is a job that is a little lower than hers on the ladder, I can see how it sort of gets her goat.... or ego! I''d have to swallow a little pride if I was asked to be a research assisstant again. But take every opportunity that comes along, that''s what I always say! This could be golden!

 

[CJ2008]

I would definitely be annoyed - mostly because I would have preferred that my boss check in with me first so we could go over all the projects on my plate, and reprioritize if necessary (if this is something that''s going to cause you to have to work late, etc.)

But I would ultimately take Bliss''s approach 100%.

Good luck Robbie!

 

[robbie3982]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I think it will definitely help me get through this with a smile on my face to think of it as a chance to shine rather than a demotion. My boss really is a good guy and he stands up for me when he thinks I''m getting the shaft, so he must see this as an opportunity as well. Thanks for the perspective ladies!

 

[Miranda]

Good attitude Robbie! Any amazing opportunities that have come DH''s way have been though people that he worked with and were impressed by him.