Be the Ultimate Assistant by Low-Kramen Bonnie

Author:Low-Kramen, Bonnie [Low-Kramen, Bonnie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: celebrity assistant, high-powered, assistant, NYCA, administrative professional, manager, ultimate assistant, Alter Ego Concierge, personal assistant, Bonnie Low-Kramen, ultimate, executive assistant, executive, professional, employer, Olympia Dukakis, Bespoke Institute
Publisher: NK Publications
Published: 2012-03-12T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

THE INSIDE SCOOP!

SECRETS TO FINDING AND

KEEPING THE PERFECT ASSISTANT

This chapter was written in the hopes of speaking directly to prospective employers – celebrities and other high-powered individuals whose lives would improve greatly from working with a terrific assistant. To all the assistants reading this book, I hope this information assists you in the journey towards building a mutually rewarding and healthy relationship with your employer.

George Carlin joked – who exactly is the worst doctor? There has to be somebody who is the worst, right?

The same goes for professional assistants. Most of us are experienced and hard-working, and we strive for excellence every day. However, yes, it’s also true, there are a few assistants who just don’t cut it or who aren’t meant for you. Here is an insider’s look at how to find and keep a great assistant in the shortest amount of time.

The given is, you, our employers, are extremely busy. The bottom line – following these suggestions will pay off for you big-time.

1. Be clear about your needs. It’s okay if you don’t know 100% about what you need from your assistants. If they are good, they will help you figure it out. To get started, it is important for you to identify the Top Ten things you feel like you need your assistant to do. Write them down.

2. If someone else is screening resumes before you get to see either the resume or the candidate, brief that person well.

It might be your agent, business manager, lawyer, publicist, former assistant, or your mother. Even if you think they know what kind of a person you want and need in an assistant, take the time to discuss it with your “screener.” If you do this, you actually stand a chance of getting the right person.

3. Be clear and realistic about your expectations. Do you prefer a male or female? Someone who needs to travel with you all the time, some of the time or not at all? Smoker or non? Computer geek or is low-tech okay? Do you need someone 24/7 who can leave town on an hour’s notice, or can a person with some personal commitments (spouse, child, plants, dog) do the job?

4. Be prepared to get what you pay for. (Please refer to Chapter 9 regarding salaries.) We all know that New York and Los Angeles and most major cities, for that matter, are expensive to live in. Being a professional assistant usually does not allow for spare time to do extra income-producing work. Be fair and even generous. Respectful compensation will translate into your assistant going above and beyond the call of duty – all day, every day. In New York, an experienced, full-time assistant is paid on average $70K/year plus benefits.

5. Interview your potential assistants and present realistic scenarios of your work together. Ask your candidates how they would, for example, handle putting together a last-minute dinner party or what they would do to arrange theatre tickets for seven people for the hottest show on Broadway.

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