CASAS Practice Test 8

Ask Rosa: Advice for Working Life

Dear Rosa,

For two years I have worked the front desk at a busy dental office. When our office manager retired, I applied for her job. I know the scheduling system better than anyone, and I train every new hire. Last month the owner gave the position to someone from outside the company. Now I'm expected to show my new boss how everything works. Training her feels like rubbing salt in the wound. Should I quit, or keep my head down and hope for a better chance next time?

— Overlooked in Oakdale

Dear Overlooked,

Your disappointment makes sense, and you don't have to pretend otherwise. But quitting in anger would mean walking away from two years of skills and relationships with nothing lined up. Before you decide anything, ask the owner for a short meeting. Don't argue about the decision. Instead, ask what the new manager had that you did not. You may hear about a certification, budget experience, or something else you can actually work on.

Meanwhile, training your new boss well is not a defeat. It shows the very leadership the owner may have missed, and your new manager will remember who made her first months easier. Keep a written record of the training you give and the problems you solve. If after six months you still see no path forward, start your job search then, calmly, with references and a record of results in hand.

— Rosa