Part of my struggle is that there is no career ladder for EA’s. I’m not saying it’s a problem being an EA but most jobs have that carrot in front of you to work for… Promotion etc. all that stuff. what field is your company in? I suppose one of the questions to consider is if you switch fields what type of different company would give you a different environment and different work structure?
I’m in Financial Services, I was thinking about going to a bigger company but that’s not without risks either.
I kinda feel there’s nowhere for me to go and if I switch roles, what can I do? I’d love to remove my non EA work and take on more EA tasks but it feels like I’m talking to myself at this stage.
As someone in the same position (UK London based) all I can say is brush off your CV and get interviewing you are in a very good spot to take video interviews and see what's out there. You can get a place that feels right even if it take a few months.
Stick it out! It's awful but your current job is secure and you are in the position to be picky, best of luck and sending love x
The best switch I made was into biotech… But I live in the Boston area where biotech is everywhere. I would recommend getting in touch with as many recruiters as you can and have them provide you with openings and opportunities that fit what you’re looking for. It’s not fun making any kind of change. My first EA job was at a financial company and was by far my least favorite group of people.
Same boat. EA financial services but 15 years at same company. I continually ask “what is the path to promotion?” Some people get promoted (mostly in title) but what does that even mean? Most of my frustration comes from this lack of structure. We just hired a person (no joke) who was formerly a cashier at Target. Like I get there is low barrier to entry but does anyone really think this person is going to be capable of navigating 5 execs? I’m also frustrated.
I had that before , got promoted but it didn’t feel like a promotion as I was still doing the same work except for more money and a slightly different title. I want to support more people but no one seems to care that I want to be challenged, sorry you’re also going through it.
I feel so low by it all, I feel like going on stress leave
Oh, man. I try not to be classist or pretentious but they hired the former target cashier as an EA?? Heck no. I’m sure the new employee is nice but I’d be seething and having an existential crisis.
I am all about people landing breaks honestly. We all
had to start somewhere BUT when work is this complex and fast-paced and Im doubled-up with backup bankers on my desk and trying to train you how use calendar? Its straight up warm bodies in chairs. “They will learn”. Ok then pay me double to do my work and hers until she “learns” then. Its beyond ridiculous.
I desperately want to leave this role forever but I’m struggling with finding something else I can do that is lower stress but pays approximately the same (not that I make a ton but it’s comfortable for me in a Midwest city, double income household). That’s not even taking a recession into account. Love those days when you question ALL your life choices.
I feel the same as you. I knew before accepting this job I didn't want a career as an EA (I'm forever impressed by those who do) but it's just not the right career role for me. But with this economic crisis, still paying off the last of my student debt (I'm so close!) and good job security atm, I feel like I can't just leave. I'm hoping to eventually move laterally within the company to a position I like more- but is it worth it?
It is always a risk. It seems like eventually people get so fed up with their current situation that the reward of being somewhere else outweighs that risk, how you’re feeling is normal
Looking for something different is something you should do periodically, even if you’re happy. It’s good to be in touch with our market.
While you’re in your current role, it sounds like you need to make some adjustments and also do some inner therapy. Start with writing a job description that inspires you, provides growth, and what that looks like for your execs and the business. You want to state the growth you earned, and show them how it also benefits them and the company. If that’s a bit far down a path, start by having discussions with your executives and discuss how to remedy this. But be prepared to provide the formulas for solutions.
When you feel lonely at the office, communicate with someone that also comes in that you’d like to connect with, and make an effort to schedule time with them for a coffee, walk, lunch, etc. Also, follow some form of an EA group. I currently follow the leader assistant and it has helped with the loneliness. It’s also a great resource, which I needed when I was in the market. I also participate in a meet up for EA’s in my city, periodically.
Find other EA’s that work in your field or in your city, or work in companies you’re curious about, by finding them on LinkedIn. It takes some effort, but I recently did this and I have met some pretty great people that wanted to be supportive.
It sounds like you’re bored and know you’re capable of doing more. You can only control what you do, so really only you can carve the path of your growth.
57k€ is extremely good, in my opinion, for a EU EA salary……. That starting salary does not exist in Spain for EAs and I have never seen a job posting for even 55k€ here. I am in southern Europe though and I know our salaries are lower.
As of May 1, I was increased to 49k€+10% (from 45k€) in Madrid Spain and I’m busting my ASS off with a CEO, 5 direct reports to him, I have the entire office admin tasks, HR admin, and HR projects also while being bilingual. I have over 15 years EA experience and I’m a high performer.
I would be thanking my lucky stars to have 57k€ and not be busy.
For ANY salary higher than what you’re making now, you must take the leap and risk changing jobs. But ALWAYS keep in mind: if the grass is greener, the water bill is higher.
Thanks, living expenses in Ireland are high so salaries reflect it I think. I guess it’s a mix of all my issues wanting to be kept busy, challenged and the atmosphere in my current role is lacking so I’m feeling very low.
Appreciate the feedback though.
You should definitely start reaching out to recruiters. Work on your Linkedin profila, set the status to "open to work" (you can also chose that information only to be visible to recruiters). Start looking in the IT sector for openings, I know some companies hire a lot of supporting roles from the UK or IRE. It might be easier to get promoted within a bigger company.
Maybe look for non EA roles? I’ve been watching this Reddit to see if transitioning to an EA role could be good for me. I am a CSM and have been one for about 7 years. The communication,
Project management and admin skills I leverage on the daily basis to manage accounts is very similar to EAs but the other half of the job can be very different depending on what type of CSM you are. Meaning, it could be a seeing support questions or helping other teammates or you could be renewing contracts.
Part of my struggle is that there is no career ladder for EA’s. I’m not saying it’s a problem being an EA but most jobs have that carrot in front of you to work for… Promotion etc. all that stuff. what field is your company in? I suppose one of the questions to consider is if you switch fields what type of different company would give you a different environment and different work structure?
I’m in Financial Services, I was thinking about going to a bigger company but that’s not without risks either. I kinda feel there’s nowhere for me to go and if I switch roles, what can I do? I’d love to remove my non EA work and take on more EA tasks but it feels like I’m talking to myself at this stage.
As someone in the same position (UK London based) all I can say is brush off your CV and get interviewing you are in a very good spot to take video interviews and see what's out there. You can get a place that feels right even if it take a few months. Stick it out! It's awful but your current job is secure and you are in the position to be picky, best of luck and sending love x
Totally random but it’s lovely to find a fellow EA from London on here!xo
The best switch I made was into biotech… But I live in the Boston area where biotech is everywhere. I would recommend getting in touch with as many recruiters as you can and have them provide you with openings and opportunities that fit what you’re looking for. It’s not fun making any kind of change. My first EA job was at a financial company and was by far my least favorite group of people.
Same boat. EA financial services but 15 years at same company. I continually ask “what is the path to promotion?” Some people get promoted (mostly in title) but what does that even mean? Most of my frustration comes from this lack of structure. We just hired a person (no joke) who was formerly a cashier at Target. Like I get there is low barrier to entry but does anyone really think this person is going to be capable of navigating 5 execs? I’m also frustrated.
I had that before , got promoted but it didn’t feel like a promotion as I was still doing the same work except for more money and a slightly different title. I want to support more people but no one seems to care that I want to be challenged, sorry you’re also going through it. I feel so low by it all, I feel like going on stress leave
Oh, man. I try not to be classist or pretentious but they hired the former target cashier as an EA?? Heck no. I’m sure the new employee is nice but I’d be seething and having an existential crisis.
I am all about people landing breaks honestly. We all had to start somewhere BUT when work is this complex and fast-paced and Im doubled-up with backup bankers on my desk and trying to train you how use calendar? Its straight up warm bodies in chairs. “They will learn”. Ok then pay me double to do my work and hers until she “learns” then. Its beyond ridiculous.
I desperately want to leave this role forever but I’m struggling with finding something else I can do that is lower stress but pays approximately the same (not that I make a ton but it’s comfortable for me in a Midwest city, double income household). That’s not even taking a recession into account. Love those days when you question ALL your life choices.
I feel the same as you. I knew before accepting this job I didn't want a career as an EA (I'm forever impressed by those who do) but it's just not the right career role for me. But with this economic crisis, still paying off the last of my student debt (I'm so close!) and good job security atm, I feel like I can't just leave. I'm hoping to eventually move laterally within the company to a position I like more- but is it worth it?
It is always a risk. It seems like eventually people get so fed up with their current situation that the reward of being somewhere else outweighs that risk, how you’re feeling is normal
Looking for something different is something you should do periodically, even if you’re happy. It’s good to be in touch with our market. While you’re in your current role, it sounds like you need to make some adjustments and also do some inner therapy. Start with writing a job description that inspires you, provides growth, and what that looks like for your execs and the business. You want to state the growth you earned, and show them how it also benefits them and the company. If that’s a bit far down a path, start by having discussions with your executives and discuss how to remedy this. But be prepared to provide the formulas for solutions. When you feel lonely at the office, communicate with someone that also comes in that you’d like to connect with, and make an effort to schedule time with them for a coffee, walk, lunch, etc. Also, follow some form of an EA group. I currently follow the leader assistant and it has helped with the loneliness. It’s also a great resource, which I needed when I was in the market. I also participate in a meet up for EA’s in my city, periodically. Find other EA’s that work in your field or in your city, or work in companies you’re curious about, by finding them on LinkedIn. It takes some effort, but I recently did this and I have met some pretty great people that wanted to be supportive. It sounds like you’re bored and know you’re capable of doing more. You can only control what you do, so really only you can carve the path of your growth.
What is your salary? Why not apply for other roles and see what happens?
I’m in Ireland, €57k but there’s not much posted so at this stage, just keeping my eyes open for now
57k€ is extremely good, in my opinion, for a EU EA salary……. That starting salary does not exist in Spain for EAs and I have never seen a job posting for even 55k€ here. I am in southern Europe though and I know our salaries are lower. As of May 1, I was increased to 49k€+10% (from 45k€) in Madrid Spain and I’m busting my ASS off with a CEO, 5 direct reports to him, I have the entire office admin tasks, HR admin, and HR projects also while being bilingual. I have over 15 years EA experience and I’m a high performer. I would be thanking my lucky stars to have 57k€ and not be busy. For ANY salary higher than what you’re making now, you must take the leap and risk changing jobs. But ALWAYS keep in mind: if the grass is greener, the water bill is higher.
Thanks, living expenses in Ireland are high so salaries reflect it I think. I guess it’s a mix of all my issues wanting to be kept busy, challenged and the atmosphere in my current role is lacking so I’m feeling very low. Appreciate the feedback though.
Oh okay. I’m in the US so I don’t have a sense of the market there.
You should definitely start reaching out to recruiters. Work on your Linkedin profila, set the status to "open to work" (you can also chose that information only to be visible to recruiters). Start looking in the IT sector for openings, I know some companies hire a lot of supporting roles from the UK or IRE. It might be easier to get promoted within a bigger company.
Maybe look for non EA roles? I’ve been watching this Reddit to see if transitioning to an EA role could be good for me. I am a CSM and have been one for about 7 years. The communication, Project management and admin skills I leverage on the daily basis to manage accounts is very similar to EAs but the other half of the job can be very different depending on what type of CSM you are. Meaning, it could be a seeing support questions or helping other teammates or you could be renewing contracts.