Lynnette Burks, CWCA

I was so excited when a recruiter reached out about an opportunity for a virtual assistant role. Little did I know, the conversation was about to take an unexpected turn. The recruiter and I had a great initial discussion. We talked about how my experience in administrative support and project management would be a great fit for their needs. They seemed genuinely interested, and I was eager to learn more about how I would add value to the company. However, things took a sharp turn when the topic of compensation came up. Suddenly, the "attractive" role they had described turned into one with a 10-hour/day and additional out-of-scope responsibilities - all for a shockingly low salary offer. Sadly, I observed that this bait-and-switch tactic is far too common in the hiring world, especially when it comes to virtual assistant roles. Recruiters reel in candidates with the promise of flexibility, autonomy, and fair compensation, only to spring unexpected and unreasonable demands at the eleventh hour. Hiring Managers, if you want to attract and retain top virtual assistant talent, it's time to re-evaluate your recruitment practices. Loose promises and poor compensation packages will only lead to high turnover and poor performance Instead, be upfront about expectations, provide competitive wages, and create an environment where virtual assistants can thrive. Trust me, the investment will pay off in the long run with a dedicated, engaged, and productive team. It is more expensive and time consuming to keep recruiting for the same role over and over again This is my story, it happened to me few weeks ago. Candidates like myself aren't just looking for a job - we are seeking a mutually beneficial partnership. When the scales are tipped too far in your favor, trust me, you'll end up losing out on the very talent you're trying to recruit. Let's work together to raise the bar and create a win-win scenario for all. #virtualassistant. #hiringmanager

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Today, I had a relatively open schedule in my work day, which is rare. No meetings on my calendar, so I took FULL advantage of that and worked from home. I had been needing to get to work on a training presentation that I had started no fewer than 3 times just last week and kept getting interrupted, so I accomplished a single slide over the course of 3 days. Prior to last week, I also attempted to start putting this thing together without success. Today, I started and finished at least the presentation piece. The whole training isn't done, but I got so much work done, I am thrilled (and amazed a little, honestly)! I'm going to say the thing people don't say out loud, out loud. I am 1000% more productive, effective and efficient at home than in any office. I can better prioritize my time and day for laser focused work. Period, the end. 📸: My home office. My happy place as it relates to work!

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I'm now 2 weeks into my job searching after leaving Big Lots. In this time I've put in over 30 applications, and have only gotten 1 call back and dozens of emails from Life Insurance Companies wanting me to apply and interview. The positions I've been applying for, I'm am more than qualified to do and some over qualified. But, I'm able, willing and wanting to work. Yes, everything i have applied for has been for full-time regular and management positions. How can so many companies be hiring, yet no one is hiring? It should not be this difficult to find a job with my experience. Someone recently told me that I should just get unemployment. My question is why? The unemployment isn't going to pay my bills, and will barely cover my expenses. And it's only a last resort. #jobhunting #jobleads #employmentleads #networking

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𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐍𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 When I started job hunting at 18, I was beyond excited, but I was also really nervous. Every time I interviewed at call centers, my heart would race, and I’d catch myself stuttering. I used to focus so much on my fear, and, looking back, that only made it worse. Fast forward to now, and things are so different. Thanks to my husband. He’s a teacher and a fantastic public speaker! I learned to focus on what I want to say instead of my fear. He’d always remind me to “𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫.” As Jim Rohn said it best: “Negative is normal, but it’s not successful.” Now, I focus on getting my message across and leave reflection for afterward. Then, I make changes where I need to improve. Today, I’m way more confident speaking to people, even those from different backgrounds. There’s still so much to learn, and I know I can always keep improving. But when I look back, I can honestly say I’m proud of how far I’ve come. To anyone reading this and facing similar fears, remember: growth takes time, and confidence is built one step at a time. Don’t be afraid of feedback. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰. 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩, 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. Here’s to growth, persistence, and embracing the journey! 

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Six years, four roles, and countless lessons learned! My journey as an Executive Assistant, Social Media Manager, Customer Support pro, and Back-office Operations Assistant has been nothing short of dynamic. The best part? No two days are the same. I’ve had the thrill of jumping from coordinating schedules to solving customer challenges , crafting social media magic 📱, and keeping back-office gears turning smoothly. It’s more than just juggling tasks—it’s about creating impact. Each role has pushed me to think outside the box, stay agile, and continuously learn. I’m proud of the wins, big and small, and the growth that comes from every challenge. Being versatile isn’t just a skill; it’s a mindset. Embracing new challenges, pivoting when needed, and finding creative solutions has made the journey exciting and rewarding. Here’s to embracing every opportunity, loving the twists and turns, and thriving in the chaos. 🥂 Cheers to the adventures ahead! #CareerJourney #ProfessionalGrowth #EmbraceChange #MultitaskingMaster #MindsetMatters #CareerDevelopment #Adaptability #ProblemSolving #WorkLife #Versatility #CareerGrowth #Multitasking ##CareerGrowth #ExecutiveAssistant #SocialMediaManager #CustomerSupport #BackOffice #ProfessionalJourney #Versatility #Skills #CareerDevelopment #OfficeLife #WorkExperience #Multitasking #LinkedIn #Opentoconnect

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Everyone complaining about remote work "breaking" their communication is missing the point entirely. Remote work didn't break your communication. It just showed you how broken it already was. Think about it: Your in-office communication relied on: - Random hallway conversations - Desk drive-bys - Shoulder taps - "Quick syncs" that interrupted real work These weren't communication solutions.

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Instead of relying on ATS and AI, why not have the conversation with the overqualified person to find out why they applied to your organization? Nonprofits, I am especially looking at you in the back row. I was talking with a dear friend from college over the weekend, and she said she was not getting any interest in her applications or interviews because her resume (on face value) is that of the incredible leader and team advocate that she is, and companies are likely assuming she is out of their league. (She is out of all of our leagues on so many levels, but I digress . . . ) A resume is not going to tell you what motivates someone or where they are in their life or why they are incredibly devoted to your mission. You cannot program keywords for "wants to feel useful" or "loads of experience and ready to slow down to smell the flowers" or "wants to pass on decades of experience to continue the good fight". Let's face it - no one applying for any position at a nonprofit is expecting to get rich quick in that role. In a perfect world, nonprofits would not have to fight for overhead funding for printer paper and utility bills, and salaries would reflect the heartfelt, soul-driven work being done. The next time you get a too-good-to-be-true resume across your screen, maybe flag it as "to be considered" and have that conversation. You could get an incredible asset to your organization - and you never know who they know and will also bring to the table.

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Truth. Protecting the egos of executive leadership is more important than, well, everything

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I love seeing all the #rpmcareers posts today appreciating our industry onsite teams! Just a reminder to companies and leadership, that making a post once a year or buying them lunch today is great, but it isn’t enough to truly show your support. Your onsite teams are the ones closest to your customers: ·   Give them a seat at the table when it comes to making decisions. ·   Give them the best computers, not the hand me downs, so they can actually help the customer without workarounds or frustrations with slow technology. ·   Give them time to get comfortable with the most recent changes before you implement the next rollout ·    Give them opportunities for career advancement ·    Give them handshakes, hugs, eye contact, your full attention…let them know they are seen ·    Give them EXCEPTIONAL customer service and they will give your prospects and residents EXCEPTIONAL customer service What else should we be giving our onsite teams to show support? Washington Multi-Family Housing Association RPM Careers

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There's something people are missing when they suggest that us unemployed folks "just go get a job in retail/food." When you lose a job, no matter the reason, you lose a sense of self. A sense of pride. It feels like you've lost part of your identity. You begin to doubt your abilities, and you feel shame (or I did). 💭Does it say something about me as a person if I take the "easy route?" 💭Will an interviewer look at me sideways when they see Chick-fil-A on my resume after my corporate job? 💭What if I can't find another job in my field and I lose all of the skills I worked so hard to earn? Going and just getting a job anywhere is more than just that. Everyone works extremely hard to get to where they were before they lost their job. Just know that if you do have to get one of those "in-between" jobs, it's okay. No harm, no foul. To my job seekers out there: I see you. Keep it up. Continue to update your resume. Complete those interviews. Send those thank-you emails. You'll land that job.

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Today, I received an email from a recruiter regarding an application I submitted in August. While it wasn’t the news I was hoping for, I truly appreciated the feedback. It can be incredibly frustrating when applications go unanswered, so I’m grateful for any response, even if it's not what I expected. To all recruiters out there: please remember that feedback, whether positive or negative, is always valuable. It helps candidates grow and improve for future opportunities. #JobSearch #FeedbackMatters #CareerGrowth #Recruitment

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I know folks are struggling to find jobs and are desperately seeking some type of income but some of the requirements to pay rate details are extremely disappointing and disrespectful. This is why most individuals aren’t truly happy in their role because companies are looking to fill 3-4 roles while underpaying one person that handles it. I want to work just like anyone else but more importantly I want to work for a great company. One that holds value in the ROI of their employees…having faith in employing someone who may not check off all the areas but is ambitious…not taking shortcuts to due budget forecasts. (Photo for attention) #opentowork #remote #remotework #workfromhome #hiring

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One year ago today, I was fired from a retail job because of my disability and honestly, I’m grateful for it. I’m hard of hearing, and my needs are simple: I require people to speak clearly and face me directly so I can engage in normal conversations. Unfortunately, my former employer didn’t see it that way. They were embarrassed by having an employee with a disability, gave me tasks that weren’t suited to my capabilities, and had unrealistic expectations. For instance, I was asked to listen to my colleague’s conversations with customers from across the room. It is something that’s impossible for me, even with hearing aids. To adapt, I used to ask my colleagues questions to help me better understand how to perform my job. The employer never asked how they could better accommodate my needs or help me succeed. Any time I tried to bring up my disability, I was met with dismissive, thoughtless comments. Looking back, I’m glad I left that toxic environment. Losing a job because of my disability was heartbreaking. It made me question my worth and wonder if I’ll ever find a place where I truly belong. Some job interview processes were cut short because of my disability, and I even stopped booking a sign language interpreter to avoid being overlooked. I have also reached out to the Lino Spiteri Foundation, which is meant to help people with disabilities find employment, but sadly, they were of no help to me. But here I am, one year later, having just started my second graphic design job and back in the retail industry. This journey has taught me that people with disabilities often have to work harder to overcome unnecessary barriers. We are just as capable as anyone else, often more so because of the resilience we’ve built along the way. I’m sharing this to remind anyone facing similar challenges that it’s okay to leave environments that don’t value or respect you. It may feel daunting, but there are better opportunities ahead, and you are absolutely capable of achieving them. So I urge employers: give people with disabilities a chance. Not out of pity, but because we bring unique strengths, perspectives, and skills to the table. The support we need is often small, but the impact we can make is huge. #DisabilityAwareness #InclusionMatters

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🚀 Remote Work is the Future — Are You Keeping Up? Offering remote work opportunities isn’t just a perk anymore — it’s a competitive advantage for attracting, engaging, and retaining top talent. Let’s be real: 💼 No one wants to: 👉 Sit in endless traffic 👉 Dress up for a traditional office 👉 Spend hours away from their loved ones 👉 Waste money and time commuting 👉 Sacrifice their health and well-being for outdated work structures The way we work is evolving, and companies need to catch up. Remote and hybrid setups are no longer "nice to have" — they're the new normal. AI is streamlining repetitive tasks, and most knowledge-based work can be done anywhere with a solid WiFi connection. Heard of Starlink? SpaceX is delivering high-speed internet to more corners of the world every day. So, what's stopping companies from embracing this shift? It’s time to wake up. Your employees are telling you what they want — loud and clear: ✅ Flexibility matters ✅ Work-life balance matters ✅ Health and well-being matter The companies that listen? They’ll be the ones that win in recruitment, retention, and overall team happiness!!

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