I just want to be a receptionist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I've always fantasized about working at Empire Records. Of course, that never existed, but it's a good fantasy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why do you assume that most of us with these fantasies have not worked crappy admin/receptionist/assistant/secretary jobs in the past? I certainly did, and I still fantasize about going back sometimes. I also worked at Barnes and Noble as a second job, during that time, which rocked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why do you assume that most of us with these fantasies have not worked crappy admin/receptionist/assistant/secretary jobs in the past? I certainly did, and I still fantasize about going back sometimes. I also worked at Barnes and Noble as a second job, during that time, which rocked.

+1. I'm one of the other PPs and I have absolutely worked as an admin before. For years. Didn't realize I had been living an "entitled life" all this time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a secretary and I absolutely despise it. I would trade it for any one of your jobs.

The grass is always greener. These are all just fantasies we are talking about. I don't know that anyone would hire me to be a receptionist or secretary because I have no experience or qualifications but I'm not likely to leave my job as a professor to find out.

The flexibility (scheduling-wise) a professor has is unimaginable to a person working an admin job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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!

I'm a CPA. My corporate job was so stressful that I resigned and started exploring other opportunities. When recruiters told me about other corporate jobs, I was somewhat scared of those jobs thinking they might be no better than my previous one. Then I was told that a large company needs a temporary contractor for an unknown period of time. I knew the company and trust them a lot, so I didn't bother about setting up an LLC or a corporation. If it were a smaller, less reputable client, then it would have definitely made sense to form an LLC. My current contract is for at least 18 months and may be extended further. In the meantime, recruiters keep contacting me about the partners' positions with the smaller CPA firms because they feel I must have an "entrepreneurial spirit" to be an independent consultant.

It took me about a week to get this offer after I uploaded my resume to the job website. Therefore I'm not sure whether temporary consulting services are in such demand or it was pure luck to get a good contract so quickly. Anyway, even if it took a few months to find a contract, I'd rather work 6 months a year making good money than downshift to a lower skills profession making 50% less. I had also no clue how much to charge, but the recruiters provided some ideas.

I'm sorry about your child's health condition. Our entire family is on my husband's health insurance plan. However, if your skills are in demand, your rate should compensate for the lack of benefits and you should be making enough to cover all extra expenses. I wonder if there is a meetup group of independent contractors who quit their corporate jobs. It would be nice to share experience and brainstorm ideas.

[Anonymous]

i love this thread! so comforting to know I'm not the only one that's satisfied staying at the bottom of the totem pole! i was starting to think that something's wrong with me but I simply prefer an easy, low-responsibility job where I get to talk to people and not stare at data all day. I'm currently in a corporate job a step above the admins but I'm looking for a receptionist job and the problem is they all want you to move up into a different position after a couple years, and I'm like, "what if I just want to be the receptionist?" it's not even on their radar that someone might actually want to stay in that job as a destination and not a stepping stone lol. I always wanted to be the face of a company!

[Anonymous]

I am an admin assistant and my boss has been twisting my arm to take a promotion. I finally took it and am dreading it.

[Anonymous]

I am someone who quit my high-flying job to become an admin person, and let me tell you honestly, I do love it. It just is nice to leave the job behind when I leave the office for the day, and to free up my brain power for the rest of the things in my life. Luckily, all of the people here at my (small) law firm do know that I am over-qualified, smart, and capable, so no one treats me like I am "the help," which could really make or break this experience, I am sure. (That is why I noted that it is a small firm, b/c I am sure it wouldn't be like this in a larger, typical firm.)

As for salary concerns, yes, definitely that is an issue, but it was worth it for the trade-off for us. My DH's salary has gone up in the meantime and my salary is just kind of "extra" for us.

[Anonymous]

I was a landscaper in college and also a groundskeeper at an apartment complex. I loved both of those jobs!

[Anonymous]

I worked as a concierge for a brief time! Awesome job, excellent pay (commissions) if you knew how to hustle. No one watching over you. You just have to be on time to work and dress nicely, but other than that you are FREE!

[Anonymous]

so what jobs are out there that are relaxing and not taxing that pay at least $50,000 with full benefits? i'm in!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so what jobs are out there that are relaxing and not taxing that pay at least $50,000 with full benefits? i'm in!

receptionist at a law firm

[Anonymous]

But that's the problem - I wouldn't get out of bed for a full time job that paid $50,000 a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bookstore. Want to work at a bookstore. Are those still around?

OMG - me too.

[Anonymous]

Your post made my day.