Hey guys!
I came across a situation in which I am not sure what to do and I would love some advice. I've arranged for an informational interview with somebody, and they were quite enthusiastic in their reply saying they would be glad to talk. They also said to set an appointment with their secretary. Problem is, the guy's secretary refused to help/do her job.
I have called her telling her about the arrangement and asking about available appointments and she blew me off saying that she needs to ask my contact and will get back to me. This was several hours ago and nothing. I also cannot communicate with my contact directly as he does not frequently check the email address I have for him, and the only phone number I have for him is handled by this secretary.
So the question is, how do I either get her to put me down for an appointment, or how do I bypass her? I don't want to be too forward and show up unannounced at this guy's office or anything like that, but I am not sure how to handle this tactfully.
Any advice is welcome!
Whatever you may think, secretaries can also get super busy/have much more important things to worry about than you and your informational interview. This might be a valid question if she hadn't replied to you after a few days; if it's been a few hours, just wait.
The secretary "refused to help/do her job?" I'm pretty sure her job description doesn't involve helping you or catering to your schedule. She probably IS doing her job, which is why you haven't heard back from her yet. Don't act like you or your time are more important than she is/her time is.
Just to clarify, I have had several run-ins with this person before as have some of my friends and her default response to everybody regardless of the nature of one's business is that she will call them back later that day and then never does (It took me upwards of a month to get past this person last time I had to meet with my contact and in that case it was a far more serious (legal) matter than an informational interview. I am not trying to be demeaning to secretaries, I have also done a stint in secretarial work and I get that things can get busy. However I agreed with my contact that I would set up the appointment today. It was extremely difficult to get a hold of this guy directly and I don't want him to think that I neglected our agreement. Upon rereading my original post I see that it does come off as condescending, however this was not my intention. I am just worried that my attempt at networking with this person may be compromised by the sort of fiasco which I have already been through before.
Noted. In that case my response was too harsh and I apologize. I agree with the info about cc'ing him- perhaps next time you talk to him (or by emailing him thrugh the account he rarely checks) you could ask for an email address that is easier to reach him by.
Hours ago? Relax, stop being so impatient. If you don't hear from her in a day or two follow up again.
Tough spot...I would say wait a day or two, follow up again, and if still no traction then get in touch with your guy somehow and throw the secretary under the bus. Try to be gentle though...no need to be too rough just yet. Your only other option would be to just keep waiting like an idiot.
Throw the secretary his contact hired and probably has a great relationship with under the bus? Don't do that, you do not want to come across as some entitled douche
You also don't want to come across as a doormat and mess up the actual meeting you're trying to arrange all for some vague notion of false modesty and trying to be polite...it's impossible to tell just from the info provided but it's possible the secretary is simply lousy and not doing what she's paid money to do. The OP is just trying to get an informational chat from the guy, not winning any medals here...no need to be a hero.
You're being way too impatient about this.
Keeping track of calls and putting the right meetings on your contact's calendar is the secretary's profession. Trust me: she isn't autonomously and arbitrarily deciding that you aren't worth her boss' time.
You sound super entitled. Always be nice and courteous to secretaries or they can make your life a living hell.
Try to work with the secretary. If she doesn't get back to you by end of day, send a polite follow-up to the assistant that reiterates your contact wanted to get it on his calendar today and cc his personal. Hopefully she gets the point. If not, you have a paper trail confirming you were being proactive about scheduling.
Although realistically, as a junior person you should be super-nice to even the most incompetent secretaries. This one probably hates you already though, so don't be afraid to push.
Good advice. Make sure the guy is informed.
I'd give it 24 hours, then CC him. (However, if he is enough of a bigwig, she may be in charge of his email account, too.) Just nicely follow up and make sure you're on his calendar.
EOD is too short of a time; a week is too long.
Thanks for all the advice guys! I have written a polite email with my contact CC-d as you have suggested. Hopefully it will have the desired effect.
Probably should have given her 1-2 days. Oh well, hopefully you get what you want.
Just to follow up, she called back in reference to my email today. She was much more polite than yesterday and gave me an appointment for tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice guys!
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