Sunday, February 20, 2011

dog eat ... anything

What makes a good assistant?

Loyalty? Cleverness? Hard working ethics? Fear? Does the job description change depending on the industry/company?

I have had a revolving door of assistants. That makes it sound like I am a super lite version of an Anna Wintour parody but such is not the case. There are many factors that had a hand in spinning that door and I have to watch it turn.

The ultimate ladies man and most self destructive downward spiraling character on TV, Don Draper has a line to Joan when she has to hire Peggy's replacement that he wanted "someone who wants the job". Despite the misogyny of that office environment, the truth rings in that line. Even in a position that is substandard in power or pay grade, you want someone who wants to be there.

The job climate now is desperate, which makes for more competitive aggression so you'll have candidates left and right vying for your open spot, just to have a spot. Keeping them however, is the real job.

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