The Question That Derailed My Career Aspirations
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An unfamiliar number lights up my phone, sending my heart racing. I brace myself for the call I’ve been anticipating all week. Will I feel ecstatic or deflated by the end? I retreat to a quiet space to answer.
“Hello?”
“Kylie, great news! We’d like to offer you the Executive Assistant position. When can you start?”
The Dream Position
I couldn’t believe I had succeeded! This offer felt like a stroke of luck. It was a significant milestone in my young career as I sought to advance professionally.
Initially, I was hired as a Receptionist but gradually climbed to an Administration Assistant role before being approached to take on a newly created Finance Administrator position. Reluctant at first, I hesitated since I lacked any formal finance training or experience, making me one of the few team members without a finance background. The thought terrified me!
After a year spent on User Acceptance Testing for a new finance system in Melbourne, I was told I had become one of the best Finance Administrators in the company. Although I was proud, I wasn’t fulfilled. My real interest lay in becoming a Personal Assistant, yet no openings were available at my company.
I began applying for Personal Assistant roles, fully aware that my lack of experience would be a hurdle. My resume even featured a photo, a popular trend at the time. In retrospect, I believe this was the reason I landed an interview for the Executive Assistant position, which was actually a step up from what I originally sought.
The Sabotage
This role opened up because the previous Executive Assistant was relocating. Let’s call her Regina for this narrative.
She was involved in the interview process and bore a striking resemblance to me—blonde and petite. During my interview, when asked about my salary expectations, Regina’s reaction was telling. Her eyes nearly popped out, leaving me puzzled about whether my figure was too high or too low.
Ultimately, I learned that I had requested far more than what she was earning.
This marked the begi