IMO, dressing up very well with high heeled shoes make people think you are a secretary. If you dress up a little casual and wear flats, I am sure they will think you are a techie or at least not a secretary.

I was once asked by a coworker if I took dictation.

I'm the only civilian here with a college degree, let alone a masters degree. But I'm a girl, so I must be a secretary (not that there's anything wrong with being a secretary, but when those duties aren't yours but you get them anyway because they're "female duties", it's super annoying)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How your dess? It you have not upgraded, do it.

Not only dress but how you talk and act.

What about my typing, first PP?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I tried to use this to my advantage against opposing counsel: underestimate me at your own peril.
As for others, whatever, it's a mistake. What's wrong with secretaries?

Nothing at all! But hate being asked that, as if I'm crashing the bar association happy hour with my boss for free booze.

Eh, when I'm at big firm events or association things with DH, he's always asked what law he practices or where he went to law school, etc, assuming he's the associate and I'm just the wife. He's an IT guy, but whatever. It's all good -- we have jobs. Just chill, it's just small talk. Really.

Anonymous wrote:How your dess? It you have not upgraded, do it.

Not only dress but how you talk and act.

You need to work on your presence. Act like the boss and they will treat you like one.

Anonymous wrote:I tried to use this to my advantage against opposing counsel: underestimate me at your own peril.
As for others, whatever, it's a mistake. What's wrong with secretaries?

Nothing at all! But hate being asked that, as if I'm crashing the bar association happy hour with my boss for free booze.

I tried to use this to my advantage against opposing counsel: underestimate me at your own peril.
As for others, whatever, it's a mistake. What's wrong with secretaries?

Yep I'm in the same spot OP. I'm nearly 30 and I still get asked if I'm the secretary by random people looking for conference rooms or whatnot. I got a new job in the spring and everyone stopped by and asked if I was the new secretary. Kind of a bummer on your first day at a job promotion.

BUT it does beat getting asked if I'm an intern! At my first job a coworker introduced me as the intern when in fact I was a full time employee of 3 years! People used to ask me if I was an intern on elevators too.

I dress very professionally.

Anonymous wrote:How your dess? It you have not upgraded, do it.

I was wearing a suit. Not from Express or H&M.

But can you make a good strong pot of coffee?

I am 46, dress very well and am still asked if I am the secretary.

If they ask me to take notes in a meeting I ask them if they will get me coffee.

I've been there, OP. You have my sympathies.

How your dess? It you have not upgraded, do it.

I graduated law school almost three years ago. I'm a lawyer, not a secretary. I don't think this happens to men.