Feeling Stuck in My Executive Assistant Role: Should I Stay or Take a Risky New Job Offer?

I am a graduate from Calcutta University. I completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management and a Diploma in Computer Application. I have almost 18 years of experience as an Executive Assistant. I have been working in the present company, which is an Automobile Company, for the last 15 years as an Executive Assistant to E.D.-Finance and Group CFO.

On 31st March, my boss became Chief Advisor Finance and Accounts, and a new CFO has been appointed. Now, my secretarial work pressure has reduced, and I have to oversee the Land and Property matters of the company as the concerned person has left. This job is full of tension and risks, and I have no experience in this area.

Fortunately, I have received an offer from a Telecom company as an Executive Assistant to the CFO. However, the salary they offered is not very high, only a 19% hike, and the company's safety reputation is not recommendable. I read the employee reviews, and past employees were not happy.

My present company is trying to negotiate with me, promising an increase in salary. Please guide me on what other responsibilities I should ask from the management as I am nearing 44, and changing jobs after that age can be difficult.

Dear Dibyendu,

You have been working in the same company for the last 15 years. Your designation, as well as your boss, has also remained the same. Therefore, your mind has been so conditioned to the particular environment that you are unable to mentally align with the new conditions. "A rolling stone gathers no moss" goes the adage. Your challenge is how to remove the moss on your career's stone that has been gathering for the last 18 years.

One has to face challenges of this kind when one does not engage in career planning. Like companies, one has to identify the risks associated with one's career. A long stay in the same company and tying one's career to the apron strings of the CFO was risky. The risk has now become a reality.

To manage the change, you have specified two options. One is dealing with "Land and Property matters," which involves dealing with government functionaries. It requires a certain skill set. Do you have it in you? But trust me, once you master this job, nobody will remove you from this post. One must know the internal affairs of government departments. Secondly, some "wheeling and dealing" is required. But has your company given you this job because they consider you a trusted employee? Why not take feedback from the employee who left this job and be prepared?

If you take up this job, over time, you may transition into the Admin or Commercial department. One must grow in their career. If you look around, you will find that individuals who were once mechanics now run workshops, and those who were once dishwashers work as chefs in hotels. Speak to them, and you will find they aspire for further growth!

There is another reason why you should grow. Currently, you may be fulfilling the requirement of providing bread and butter to your family, but will your children accept their father's life, someone who preferred a very steady career and remained in the same designation for decades? When your children grow up and question you for not advancing in your career, what reply will you give? Please be prepared for that.

The second option is joining a new company with the same designation. It is akin to resetting a pin of a gramophone disc that was stuck at some point. Resetting the pin will allow you to listen to the same type of music you have been hearing for the last 15 years. Perhaps you may hear different songs.

It is challenging for an outsider like us to suggest the right choice. You have to decide for yourself. Nevertheless, at least now, please create a career plan and decide the designation with which you would like to retire. Whether it is Executive Assistant or something else, the choice is yours.

All the best!

Regards,
Dinesh Divekar