Interactive Features | Ask The Interim Career Coach
The Career Coach tackles the tough work-related problems that no one else will. To submit your own questions, e-mail the Career Coach at
1. New But Already Worried
Q: I started working with this small advertising company of 5 people a month ago. There are two people in production, one designer, receptionist, me and the owner. I am supposed to work closely with her. We have a lot of customers and vendors and buyouts which she uses and I am just getting familiar with them.
I feel she doesn't think I am catching on to the operation of my job fast enough. She came to me a week ago and told me she was not giving up on me yet and that made me a little nervous. When I ask a question it's never the right time and I feel she is always mad or irritated at me. I don't normally feel like this in a work environment, but I do here a lot. Do you have any suggestions about what I could do to get over this feeling?
A: You are doing the right thing now, which is to act on your uncomfortable feelings and to seek some suggestions and support. Good work.
There are three important steps for you to take: gain some objectivity about the situation; project an open, communicative, learning and confident attitude to everyone, including your new boss; and seek additional support.
Objectivity: A new job is a tense situation; your new boss may treat every new employee like she is treating you or you may be ultra sensitive at this particular time. Ask yourself, "What are the emotions and what are the facts in this situation?"
Your Attitude: You are in a central coordination position with lots of pressure and exposure to crucial people. You will have to be able to overcome adversity and project a positive attitude. Start right now with your boss. In an upbeat way, tell her something you did well, and for another complex item say, "What do you think if I handle it this way?" Don't ask helpless sounding questions. Take responsibility.
Additional Support: Everyone needs a broad range of support options. This is a good time to expand your support resources. If you find comfort and support in taking walks, then do that. But consider finding someone to talk with also. Remember, we are given challenges when we can handle them to make us better people.
2. An Unrecognized Expert
Q: I am not sure what direction to take to get to where I would like to be. Presently, I am working for a very large municipality, and entered as a clerk. Within a few years, I gradually took on more responsibilities and I'm considered an "expert" in my field 10 years later. However, to be "recognized" in my field, I need to somehow change my present title from insurance coordinator to risk manager or risk analyst. There is no position I can slot into and though I would be completely satisfied if I managed to become a Risk Manager or Analyst where I am, I'm concerned that I may need to look elsewhere.
When I look back at what projects I have done and the knowledge I have, I think I would be a contender for this kind of position. I have taken numerous courses and seminars, and have even taken catastrophe training sponsored by the Federal Government.
Right now, I am taking courses to obtain the designation, but it is not mandatory in this field. What do you suggest I do to attain my goal within the company, or attain my goal period?
Thank you for your advice.
A: Being recognized for contributions in your field is very important to you. It sounds like you are taking the steps necessary to become designated in your field. This should help you in your attempts to be more fully recognized in your current organization, and will increase your marketability in other organizations also.
Although the title of risk manager or analyst is important to you, first analyze the work content of your current position. It sounds like you have started doing this. If you are performing all the duties of risk management, the next step is to do your homework! Are you being fairly compensated for the work that you are doing according to salaries of other risk management professionals? You can gain this information by talking to people in the field, and by searching salary surveys on the Internet.
If you are being compensated within a reasonable range, this is good news! You might try several things here. Speak with your manager about changing your title to more adequately represent the job function you perform. This may be all that it takes to gain what you want. If not, remember that many organizations use titles that don't reflect actual work content to individuals outside of the organization.
The title you hold may not be as important to a hiring manager as you think. Most importantly, you are working toward the designation in your field. The designation, your experience and your good communication skills will sell future employers on your ability to perform the job. Remember this: If you choose to interview outside of your organization, it is perfectly acceptable to use a functional title for the work you perform on your resume, i.e. risk management, or risk analyst/insurance coordinator. This is because the resume is your brochure, your selling piece. It communicates to potential employers what you are capable of bringing to the table. You will have the opportunity to place your official title on an application later.
Best of success in your career endeavors.
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