The Title Major-Domo Is Appropriate
When Jody Johnson interviewed for a job as office manager at Shafer Advertising in Irvine, among the alternative job titles discussed were “battle-ax,” “warden” and “mother hen.” None seemed to fit.
Finally Johnson and her boss agreed on “major-domo,” or “one who acts as head steward of a large household, who speaks, makes arrangements or takes charge for another.” Johnson accepted the position and, having found the appropriate title, had it imprinted on her business card along with the dictionary definition.
“They wanted someone to be the glue to keep everything stuck together and running,” Johnson said. “I’m accountable for everything concerning the office, including the roof leaking and the phones not working. If a picture falls off the wall and breaks. I pick up the glass. I also make sure people get to the airport on time. You have to be willing to go the distance and do things outside your job description.”
According to Johnson, interpersonal skills play a major role, including the ability to keep a secret and stay out of office politics.
“Office managers see important documents, and people often come to them with problems. I serve as a sounding board for people,” she said. “I’m also the computer systems trainer and the party organizer.
“I have lots of fun in my job, except I have yet to be able to arrive in the morning and sit down and luxuriously scan my messages. Some mornings I’m fixing the copy machine before I even have a chance to put down my briefcase. You don’t need a degree, but you do need to be patient, open-minded and maybe a little co-dependent to do this job.”
OCCUPATION: Office Manager
* What’s involved: Overseeing daily office functions, including ordering supplies, word processing, coordinating payroll, supervising a secretarial staff, making travel arrangements and organizing events.
* Qualifications: General office skills, including knowledge of personal computers.
* Outlook: By 1998, the number of office managers in Orange County is expected to increase 7% to 5,180.
* Salary range: $24,000 to $50,000 per year
* Pros: Office managers report satisfaction from their versatile and highly visible role.
* Cons: Limited opportunity for advancement.
* Advancement: Office managers often find themselves at a career dead end with little opportunity to advance beyond a “helper” role. However, some are able to bridge the gap by obtaining additional training.
* Quote: “I’m responsible for running the office, and that means being willing to take on just about anything. But I don’t have to take this job home with me every night.”
--Jody Johnson
Researched by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times
