Why is it so hard to find an assistant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are people allergic to work these days? I need an assistant. The job is to assist me in an efficient manner. Do I have to go abroad to find someone who can work without wasting time, without a bad attitude, and without thinking that typing a document is beneath them?

Now be honest OP, are you standing behind them dictating letters and then pointing out any mistakes?
You sound like YOU may have a bad attitude and grumpy demeanor.

PS: the salary in DC for a really good EA starts at 70k. And yes, you are probably getting what you pay for.

[Anonymous]

"She is given bonuses from his personal bank account when she does thing above and beyond her job--like when she helped me buy our house and I worked with her daily to pull together all of the necessary paperwork that he had filed in his office."

LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"She is given bonuses from his personal bank account when she does thing above and beyond her job--like when she helped me buy our house and I worked with her daily to pull together all of the necessary paperwork that he had filed in his office."

LOL!

Good House Hunters' episode.

[Anonymous]

We've had overpaid, under qualified, heavy on the attitude personal assistants.

I like the parameters that PP laid out. i.e.: you better be able to do what your resume says or your outta here. It does not seem like an unreasonable stipulation at all. You have to be careful not to hire someone who resents your success, gossips, or tries to wedge anyone. In short, they have to be professional at all times.

If they are smart, they will be reasonably pleasant and nice to the wife. Who do you think decides on raises, promotions, bonuses, etc.? Few we have come across have actually "gotten" this. To their detriment.

Flame all you want. If you want the pay and flexibility, you gotta play by the rules. We are reasonable if you are reasonable. If you are a ITA, so are we.

Is it a family business OP? By family, I mean you and DH - obviously no ILs!!!

[Anonymous]

ITA = PITA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband went through 3 Executive Assistants before he found the one he has retained. He wanted such things like--show up for work on time, finish the work assigned to you, no internet surfing (this is clearly specified during the interview), no headphones, answer the phone politely, be able to demonstrate the skills your resume specifies ie if you say you can use Word, you better be able to.

In exchange, he pays her very well. She is given bonuses from his personal bank account when she does thing above and beyond her job--like when she helped me buy our house and I worked with her daily to pull together all of the necessary paperwork that he had filed in his office. She is given a lot of flexibility to take time off for her personal needs. In short, he treats her like a professional.

What is her base salary before bonuses?

[Anonymous]

Just pick the hot ones that will go beyond their job duties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just judging from your little post, I'm going to guess your failure to find an adequate assistant says more about you than it does about the candidates.

I agree. OP sounds demanding and micromanagerial...the very traits most people avoid.

Yes I am demanding. I need someone who can do their job and do it well. I don't have time for laziness or incompetence. If I had time for it, then I wouldn't need an assistant. I also don't have time for micromanaging-if that were the case I would just do everything myself as it would save time.

That doesn't mean I am an unpleasant person. It just means I am not paying someone to small talk, surf the web, and take all day to do an hours worth of work.

[Anonymous]

Because the really good assistants either move on when they can or hold out until a better gig comes along.

I was an executive assistant in my early 20s. Did fairly high-level things in a high profile setting and worked hard. I made $48K (2005). While that's not terrible, it wasn't on par with what I brought to the job. Had my company paid me $70k and treated me like an organizational professional and not a secretary I may have stuck around. But as it was I felt disrespected and under appreciated.

If you're looking for a secretary or coffee getter, ignore me.

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of people make the mistake of hiring recent college grads to be assistants rather than professional secretaries. They think that 22 year-olds with degrees from decent schools would like that opportunity to get their foot in the door. The reality is that these kids just spent a lot of time and money getting their degree and don't want what is perceived to be a lowly job. Now, you can argue that they shouldn't be so entitled, esp in this economy, but it's true. You hire these kids and they just won't be happy.

[Anonymous]

I would love to be an assistant. It would combine all of my skills. How much are you paying? I am currently a big law lawyer, so it is going to have to be decent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband went through 3 Executive Assistants before he found the one he has retained. He wanted such things like--show up for work on time, finish the work assigned to you, no internet surfing (this is clearly specified during the interview), no headphones, answer the phone politely, be able to demonstrate the skills your resume specifies ie if you say you can use Word, you better be able to.

In exchange, he pays her very well. She is given bonuses from his personal bank account when she does thing above and beyond her job--like when she helped me buy our house and I worked with her daily to pull together all of the necessary paperwork that he had filed in his office. She is given a lot of flexibility to take time off for her personal needs. In short, he treats her like a professional.

What is her base salary before bonuses?

She started at around $60 and 2 yrs later she's at $80. She has a HS diploma if that matters. She is awesome. If you think he's paying her too low, tell me. Her corporate bonus is 8-10 depending on over bonuses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've had overpaid, under qualified, heavy on the attitude personal assistants.

I like the parameters that PP laid out. i.e.: you better be able to do what your resume says or your outta here. It does not seem like an unreasonable stipulation at all. You have to be careful not to hire someone who resents your success, gossips, or tries to wedge anyone. In short, they have to be professional at all times.

If they are smart, they will be reasonably pleasant and nice to the wife. Who do you think decides on raises, promotions, bonuses, etc.? Few we have come across have actually "gotten" this. To their detriment.

Flame all you want. If you want the pay and flexibility, you gotta play by the rules. We are reasonable if you are reasonable. If you are a ITA, so are we.

Is it a family business OP? By family, I mean you and DH - obviously no ILs!!!

I agree. Wives have a lot more power than people think. I'm always reminded that Colin Powell's wife is the one who didn't want him to run for president. I'm sure their were other reasons as well but I know she didn't want it. And while Michelle has no official power? You'd be a fool to think Obama doesn't take her opinions under consideration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are people allergic to work these days? I need an assistant. The job is to assist me in an efficient manner. Do I have to go abroad to find someone who can work without wasting time, without a bad attitude, and without thinking that typing a document is beneath them?

I'm looking for work! I'll work as an assistant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband went through 3 Executive Assistants before he found the one he has retained. He wanted such things like--show up for work on time, finish the work assigned to you, no internet surfing (this is clearly specified during the interview), no headphones, answer the phone politely, be able to demonstrate the skills your resume specifies ie if you say you can use Word, you better be able to.

In exchange, he pays her very well. She is given bonuses from his personal bank account when she does thing above and beyond her job--like when she helped me buy our house and I worked with her daily to pull together all of the necessary paperwork that he had filed in his office. She is given a lot of flexibility to take time off for her personal needs. In short, he treats her like a professional.

What is her base salary before bonuses?

She started at around $60 and 2 yrs later she's at $80. She has a HS diploma if that matters. She is awesome. If you think he's paying her too low, tell me. Her corporate bonus is 8-10 depending on over bonuses.

I think that's fantastic! I'm a CPA and work for a bank and make less than that, with no bonus.