Administrative Assistant's Update - sample

MARCH 2019 4 that [job search] a full-time effort," she says. A veteran C-suite admin with a variety of employers over the past 15 years, Munro says a layoff is a "huge" hit to one's sense of self-worth. "You think you are a senior EA, you know your value to the organization and now they can just do without you." Networking with her fellow laid-off EAs proved helpful, as they critiqued each other's resumes and offered moral support. "This is the right thing to do," she says, of the collegial ap - proach. The EAs recognized they had different skills and likely were not going for the same opening. Even after missing out on po- sitions for which she was over- qualified, Munro sought feedback. "Sometimes you got it and sometimes you didn't." In one low moment, she was passed over by a company after a seven-week process with three inter- views and a request that she write a business proposal. "It was devastat- ing," she recalls. A trained coach and volunteer with a mental health distress centre in Hal- ton, Ont., Munro drew on her knowl- edge of self-care to handle the emo- tional ups and downs. For example, she wrote in a journal to take stock of her emotions, good and bad. Self-reflection "is a very good skill to deal with negativity and negative thoughts," she says. She set a three- hour time limit for feeling blue before switching to a constructive activity. "If you don't you will fall into a trap and fall into depression," she advises. "Take time for your pity-party," she adds, but then focus on the job hunt. Her efforts paid off last June when she received a call from a recruiter for a senior admin position with Chicken Farmers of Ontario, an advocacy orga - nization representing more than 1,300 family-run farms. After a promising interview with the president, she met other senior members of the organization who enthusiastically answered Munro's questions about what they liked about where they work. "That sold me right away," she says. Nine months into her role as execu- tive assistant and manager of office administration for Chicken Farmers, Munro is thrilled to work for an orga- nization that values her contribution. "I am part of a team." EA rebuilds career Continued from page 1 Beware your digital footprint By Staff Are you back on the job mar- ket because of a layoff? Check your digital foot- print, advises Laura Grassia, branch manager of Office Team and Accountemps at Robert Half Canada. "The landscape has changed in terms of the technology," she warns. "You have to audit your online presence – and if you don't have one, you need one." For example, does your Facebook or Instagram show you in goofy personal situa - tions that cast doubt on your professionalism in the work- place? "Clean up anything that is inappropriate," urges Grassia, with privacy settings that safeguard against public viewing of personal informa- tion. She says LinkedIn is the appropriate social media site for professionals to share their profile. "Make sure your LinkedIn profile is as detailed as it can be," she says, with relevant information (such as volunteer and extra-curricular activities and new skill acqui - sition) to supplement a one or two-page resume. "There is so much more that you can add to Linke- dIn," she advises, that matching one's resume to LinkedIn is "key." Tips for post-layoff job search By Staff When Sue Munro was downsized through no fault of her own, she rec- ognized she was her most important ally in landing a new job. "Hands down, and that goes back to attitude," she says. "It takes a lot to stay on top of that positive edge and really believing the right thing will come along for you at the right time." Colleen Clarke, Toronto-based corporate trainer and career special- ist, adds her own tips: 1. Set goals. "You never go to bed at night unemployed without knowing what you are going to do when you get up." 2. Practice self-reflection. "[Ask yourself] what am I learning as I go along? Am I an impatient, anxious person? How do I treat my barista when I go out to get my coffee in the morning now that I am unemployed?" 3. Identify your values. "Ask questions in the interview to ensure your values are congruent with those of the organization." 4. Be ready to learn new skills. "What's the new thing you bring to the table?"

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