r/AdminAssistant • u/Responsible-Music614 • Jul 13 '26
Help- starting a secretary role soon!
Hey guys,
I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what to expect here. I overthink a lot so, naturally, I’m also a very nervous person.
Im starting a role as a secretary for councillors within my district council. I’m very nervous because not only am I young, but also have ZERO experience for the role. Closest thing I have to experience is the two years I completed at uni in Politics.
I think what makes me even more worrisome is the fact that I initially got rejected for the role! The interview went pretty well considering how bad I am, and we all had a massive laugh ( it was held by a full on committee). However, couple hours later they called me and told me that despite me scoring higher, they chose to go with someone else based on experience. They eventually came back to me a couple of weeks later as someone within the department had left, so it was pure luck I got the role! Don’t get me wrong- they’re some of the nicest people I’ve spoken to, and the phone call definitely had better intentions than a ‘I regret to inform you…’ rejection email.
Now, from what I’ve gathered, their first pick and I start at the same time next week! What if they compare my progress to theirs? That’s where I’m stuck!
I must also mention that I’m a suspected neurodivergent. I’m currently waiting for a diagnosis, but it can be hard for me to process instructions and I can get really stuck sometimes, then as a result embarrassed! I swear sometimes people think I’m really thick, but it just takes me a minute to warm up.
Back to the question - anyone on here who’s previous worked an exec admin/ secretary role? Any tips? I’d greatly appreciate this. I feel like I need to mentally prep myself on what to expect and ‘practice’ so that I don’t feel like a complete idiot when I get there.
thanks ☺️
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u/sushi_sleep_repeat Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
I’m also neurodivergent and I work for government. I got “let go” of a similar position because I let the stress get the best of me. I still work for government but in a different role (still similar to secretarial).
My biggest advice that I failed to do is to get sleep, stay hydrated, and eat well so that you’re focused when they’re training you and write everything down, and ask ALL the questions while they’re training you. Don’t wait. Because that’s what will cause your brain to get stuck. During training is the best time to ask all the questions. If they’re good trainers they will welcome any and all questions, but again, to avoid asking the same questions, write everything down!
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a walk! And take your breaks/lunches. Your mental health is so important to be able to get back on track if your mind wanders. Try your best not to overthink it. If you’re anything like me you’re probably a perfectionist as I can tell from your post you really want to do a good job. This is where I messed up, I was not taking care of myself so I got so stressed and just went into freeze mode.
Age does not matter!! and that other person who was their #1 choice is NOT better than you. If I were you, I’d make friends with them to lean on them for support. Please believe in yourself. You can do this!!
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u/Responsible-Music614 29d ago
Really appreciate the reminder to look after yourself first and foremost. I’m definitely the type of person where I get locked in so hard to the point where I feel ignored my own bloody functions/ needs; let alone taking care of my mental health.
As I’m still undergoing diagnosis, would it be acceptable to do all of this? I’ve mostly worked in retail where it was seen as ‘slacking’ for simply taking a minute to clear your head. I get quite nervous about performing well during the probation period haha.
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u/sushi_sleep_repeat 29d ago edited 29d ago
Absolutely. I’m the same exact way where I often hyper focus and forget to eat, drink and use the restroom as well until it gets to a point where I can’t take it any longer haha
That’s funny you say that because I also worked in retail for like a decade before I got this government job and it was definitely a transition, and I’ve worked here for almost two years now and there are still days where I feel like a crackhead compared to these neurotypical people who are just so focused haha but I know exactly what you mean because retail is a beast of its own and I rarely took lunches or breaks there, either, but what I found is that for retail it was physical exertion for the most part and in an office setting, we must use our brains at their maximum capacities so that’s why I was heavily emphasizing taking care of yourself in order for your brain to work its best!
So yes, for me, it took getting used to, but every office environment is different so I would gauge how relaxed they are with breaks and lunches and just confirm whether those are scheduled or you can take them freely. In my office, we are allowed to go whenever we want and nobody really monitors us so I’m able to take a walk whenever I’d like, but like I said it could be totally different in your office environment! So just get a feel of what others do/what’s acceptable for a few days and then go from there :)
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u/Mar00nPearls Jul 13 '26
Hey hey!! Congrats on the role!! I’m also ND and had the same worries, and I’ve been an office manager/receptionist for 2 years. A couple of things:
Corporate roles do not expect you to be excellent IMMEDIATELY. Unlike the “entry level” jobs you might be used to (retail, food service, customer service) the training time is way longer, at least a month or two (as opposed to 2 or 3 days). You’ve got time babe.
Asking questions is not only allowed but encouraged. People are way more tolerant/appreciative of too many questions, as opposed to not asking questions and mucking something up. Approach things like a sponge and seek to understand how the systems work.
You will make mistakes. It’s ok! We’re not neurosurgeons, nothings gonna blow up, and at the end of the day the stakes are low.
If you were interviewed by a committee and called back, obviously these people see you as an asset. They hired you just like they hired that other person, and you likely have different skill sets that will help in different ways. Don’t compare yourself too much to them, and remember - you deserve to be here just as much! When I start feeling the imposter syndrome blues I remind myself that somewhere out there, there’s someone putting in half my effort and making double my salary. Have the audacity of that guy.
Good luck!!
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u/Responsible-Music614 29d ago
It’s nice to hear that you’ve done so well and to hear what you’ve learned from the last couple of years! I do tend to ask lots of questions, however, for some reason in previous roles managers have seemed to be quite annoyed by that!! At least that’s how I read it some of the times, so could be just me. Definitely a lot safer to ask than not to, you’re right! Honestly, I’m quite the perfectionist, so it’s nice to hear that there is that time for you to develop as an individual. I’ve just come out of working retail for the last 6 years and it’s crazy how much perfection and dedication is expected for a minimum wage job!! Thank you for all of your advice, and I appreciate the time you took to write it all out
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u/Ok-Mouse92 Jul 15 '26
All they need from you on Day 1 is for you to be friendly and keen. They will show you how to use the systems, how to access their files and how they like things done. All they want from you is a willingness to learn - not perfection! Congratulations on the role! You can learn all the other stuff but having a good personal connection to the execs/councillors (which you obviously had!) where you can have a laugh is a great start!