I just want to be a receptionist

[Anonymous]

I was also tired of the rat race and office politics and quit that job to become a consultant. I work as an independent contractor now. The client is supposed to review my work and their employees are ultimately responsible for all of my work products. I don't think about work after I leave the office in the evenings, and even if I work overtime occasionally, I'm paid for it. There are no more concerns about promotions, raises, better office space, no more performance reviews and goal setting; no immediate boss; and the pay is better as well. Love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Secretary here again--this whole thread is very degrading. "I wish I could leave my high-powered, highly-paid, high-responsibility job so I can just sit at the front desk smiling and drooling, and not have a care in the world." Maybe I should become a housekeeper, a nanny or mow lawns--those people seem so happy and carefree!

Ugh.

Its lighthearted to them, until they have to live on the salaries. This thread is no better than saying something like I wish I was poor so I didn't have to worry about [insert rich bitch problem here], or I wish I was homeless so I don't have to deal with the headaches of homeownership. I think we all recognize it'd be quite rude and insensitive to say those things, and this is no different. You are fortunate enough to have received the education you did, and have many of the opportunities that got you where you are, and its a slap in the face to those of us who had no choice or opportunities to make light of our daily experience. These people you envy have problems and worries too, some of them far more real than yours.

[Anonymous]

I want to work at the cheese counter at Whole Foods

[Anonymous]

I'm a SAHM looking to work again and after looking in my field and getting no calls, I started looking at AA jobs at temp agencies. They either say I am overqualified or I don't have 5 years experience being an AA. So then I looked at retail jobs given that they might need temporary/seasonal work. No calls back even with a contact at one of the stores I applied to. It's tough out there and there seems to competition at every level around here. Yet, what burns me is when you go to a retail store, the people working there can be so rude to customers. I don't get it....

[Anonymous]

For those of you thinking lower-level job = taking less crap. I haven't seen it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to work in a thrift store as the sorter- think of all the "treasures" being dropped off...

When I was growing up my aunt volunteered at the thrift shop for her son's private school. We got some cool things because of her (pinball machines, etc.). Obviously, my parents paid for them but they got first dibs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to work in a bookstore - B&N, right after college. (I didn't make much at my "real" job.) It was mostly great, though my pet peeve was people who didn't want to leave when we closed, but weren't buying anything.

Sometimes I fantasize about quitting my job in Finance and working as a handyman/organizer. I get a lot of satisfaction out of doing things around the house and yard and figure there are a lot of overworked people who just want to throw money at a problem, like replacing light fixtures or organizing kitchens.

Are you good at this stuff? If so, I want to hire you. No, I need to hire you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was also tired of the rat race and office politics and quit that job to become a consultant. I work as an independent contractor now. The client is supposed to review my work and their employees are ultimately responsible for all of my work products. I don't think about work after I leave the office in the evenings, and even if I work overtime occasionally, I'm paid for it. There are no more concerns about promotions, raises, better office space, no more performance reviews and goal setting; no immediate boss; and the pay is better as well. Love it.

Please, PP, tell me how you did this. What field? Where do you find clients? Do you work for the government? Do you have one employer who rehires you on a contract basis?

I have very specialized skills, and I'm sure I'd make a lot more money as a consultant, but I don't know where to begin (and I dont' have a lot of time to research this). Did you set up a legal single owner business (sorry, don't know the correct terminology)? I have an accountant and lawyer to set things up if need be, but I don't know how to do invoicing, how much to charge for my time, etc. --where did you learn all this? And how do you pay for health insurance? I have a child with a chronic illness, so COBRA isn't affordable for me, and Obamacare is a fantasy at this point. Sorry to hijack, but you are living my fantasy!

[Anonymous]

I can see this thread is a little offensive to anyone who works hard as an Admin, and does want to get ahead. Jobs where you have to think are pretty desirable when you are doing a mindless job all day that could be done by a computer or trained chimp. And the low pay is pretty miserable too. OP wouldn't last long as a receptionist -- respect isn't always part of the job, and that would make you crazy, OP, if you are used to getting respect in your current position. No reason not to leave the rat race if you can afford it, but jumping to a mindless job will provide relief for a few weeks, and then you'll miss your interesting work and fat paycheck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a SAHM looking to work again and after looking in my field and getting no calls, I started looking at AA jobs at temp agencies. They either say I am overqualified or I don't have 5 years experience being an AA. So then I looked at retail jobs given that they might need temporary/seasonal work. No calls back even with a contact at one of the stores I applied to. It's tough out there and there seems to competition at every level around here. Yet, what burns me is when you go to a retail store, the people working there can be so rude to customers. I don't get it....

I was in the same situation as you, PP. You may have more luck looking for administrative jobs which are customer service oriented vs. strictly administrative. If you don't mind working for smaller service companies (heating/a-c, plumbing, they are often willing to hire people who don't have the years of AA experience. I found a job with one, and I am gaining the office skills on the job. I also had an offer from a doctor's office; they appreciated my people skills, and were willing to let me learn the rest after I was employed. Don't give up, just change your search.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually like this thread because it's practically sacrilegious in DC to admit you don't want to keep rising higher and higher. I did in my 20s, and now in my mid thirties I have a kid, and I sort of don't care if I'm not ever elected to the Senate, I don't ever run a major organization, or don't travel to every country in the world.
I think I'd like to work in a yarn store. Not own or run, just run the cash register and knit for most of the day or help others. Ahhhh....

Are you going to try to do this or does the money not work out?

Naah, I could never afford to do this. I work at a big consulting firm, but I'm just not gunning to be the boss for once in my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want to work at the cheese counter at Whole Foods

Ooh, that sounds really fun! That's a good one

[Anonymous]

After college, I worked at a small video store. It was a GREAT job. Pay was terrible, but outside of that, I loved it. It truly was a low-stress job (the only low-stress job I've ever had). And it was a two minute walk from my apartment. And I loved my coworkers. And I got to talk about and watch movies all day.

I have often fantasized about keeping the material things I possess now, while getting to do that job. Of course, video stores like that don't exist anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so tired of my job. I am sick of thinking, dealing with deadlines, and working hard (when I'm not on DCUM, of course). The idea of answering the phone, greeting guests, and maybe even making copies sounds so nice right now. Sigh. Anyone want a really overqualified secretary? I'll take a big pay cut. I don't want to quit my job, but I could figure out a way to live on less.

Have you ever been a secretary? I'd think if you have, you wouldn't ever say this. It's way more stressful to have no control over your job than you think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Secretary here again--this whole thread is very degrading. "I wish I could leave my high-powered, highly-paid, high-responsibility job so I can just sit at the front desk smiling and drooling, and not have a care in the world." Maybe I should become a housekeeper, a nanny or mow lawns--those people seem so happy and carefree!

Ugh.

Its lighthearted to them, until they have to live on the salaries. This thread is no better than saying something like I wish I was poor so I didn't have to worry about [insert rich bitch problem here], or I wish I was homeless so I don't have to deal with the headaches of homeownership. I think we all recognize it'd be quite rude and insensitive to say those things, and this is no different. You are fortunate enough to have received the education you did, and have many of the opportunities that got you where you are, and its a slap in the face to those of us who had no choice or opportunities to make light of our daily experience. These people you envy have problems and worries too, some of them far more real than yours.

It's not just the salaries. It's the total lack of respect they'll receive in the lower position. Most of these people who think being an admin is a relaxing job have never had to work a job like that. This is what happens when you live an entitled life all of your life. More people should have to work as admins before having their high-powered job, so they have a better idea of what the real world is really like.