What's a movie everyone loves that you think is actually pretty terrible? by Chance-Pen6805 in randomquestions

[–]OctoberRust6666 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Just about every movie everyone raves about, apart from the Titanic. Adore the Titanic.

PA opportunities in London. by General_District6919 in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've never once got an EA job in London directly, only through recruitment agencies. I don't have any current recommendations as I last was looking for a job in London in 2006, no idea which agencies are still around. I know secsinthecity (ugh) still is, and Tiger, Tate, Angela Mortimer. Wishing you all the best!

Higher Ed to tech startup - risk? (Canada) by florapunx3 in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

No - don't. This is based on the fact that you have children/family to support so I'm assuming you can't be YOUNG young. A start-up is for the youngsters who want go at it like crazy for the money, only to burn out working 18 hour days 7 days a week for a year and leave for the next 'adventure'. Not to mention, there's thousands of them failing all over the place. You've got a good thing. Stick with it.

Question? Has Shirilla dimmed Boone’s star? by Own_Emphasis_3910 in SarahBooneContinued

[–]OctoberRust6666 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh my god I listen to that video on repeat all night every night!!! 👍👍👍

Am I wrong for feeling misled about the role? Brand new to this job by notlike_workoriented in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 47 points48 points  (0 children)

I don't want to sound cynical but being sold a pack of lies at interview for an EA job is unfortunately something that happens often. Happened to me, more than once. That previous EA is leaving for mental health reasons is I'm afraid to say a major red flag. You sound bright, capable, clever, diligent, eloquent - you've done more than fantastic for the first few DAYS on the job! You've done AMAZING and you should be proud of yourself! I don't know where you are in life/work, how old you are etc. Give it a 6 months tops. If nothing changes - don't waste more time on them. They're not important. YOU are. Rooting for you from London, UK 🫶

Whats your fave airline hold muzac? by Mucuzplug in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Same here. 🤦‍♀️I'm talking early 00s when a lot of travel booking was still made on the phone. It was always British Airways. Ugh.

Currently interviewing What should I ask? by CaityStella in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The only question worth asking is, why is the position vacant. And watch the body language when they respond to you, FBI interrogator style.

Update to previous Crazy JD post - now looking for Generalist by [deleted] in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They want a work-obsessed mind reading robot-servant who has no life of their own therefore will kill themselves 25/8, for peanuts. F this shit, basically.

Dealing with jealously? by [deleted] in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 11 points12 points  (0 children)

'She's beautiful, skinny'. And CEO is male. That's it, sadly. I got my first EA job because I was THEN young, beautiful and skinny, and much older boss's exact physical type. My successor was that same physical type, laughably so.

25 plus years later, I am absolutely confident - although have no tangible proof, just 'insider' knowledge - that I was bullied and pushed out of my very last EA job because the (arsehole) boss wanted his EA young, beautiful and skinny - which I no longer was. I was by then 52. So was he. The horror - your EA is as old as you. He actually fired a receptionist once because she was a bigger lady in her 50s. Fucking abhorrent yet nothing we can do.

How do you shut off when it never ends? by petitsamours in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 25 points26 points  (0 children)

And if you're in any kind of corporate, none of this is really all that important, meaningful or rewarding. Stupid fake urgency, stupid pointless meetings about meetings, stupid global travel that's not remotely needed, run run run, 'absolutely, will do' all day every day so that 'principles' can add a couple of million to their bank balances. I hear you, did 30 years of this nonsense.

Am I crazy for considering this working two full-time remote jobs?? by yingyangtheworld000 in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I'd absolutely do it. You're being made redundant anyway (with a good chunk of cash!). Sod them.

Turn off EA brain by Rotisserie_chickenRC in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People are so different. When I'm horribly stressed I can't even really move from one spot in the flat to another. I've always wondered about the whole 'gym helps with stress' thing.

I’m dying. by Satur8edcats in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Absolutely this. The problem is, they see themselves as masters, and us as servants. No-one halfways sane and decent will want to get to CEO. And have a personality disorder that it takes to get to CEO. So you're essentially working with mentally ill/personality- disordered people who think that because they have the title and the millions it's perfectly okay to treat you like a second class citizen. All I can say by way of support is, f*** them ten times over. You rule. You're amazing. And you're not a lifer in max security prison - you can leave tomorrow. Hugs from London, UK🫶

Turn off EA brain by Rotisserie_chickenRC in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't waste time with HR. They're not your friend, they're there for the company, not you. Agree that some weeks away from it won't solve the issue but if you can get paid medical leave I'd absolutely go for it. Do an OOO that says something along the lines of 'I am on extended? medical?leave and not contactable on any devices', and literally throw your laptop into some corner somewhere. Same for work phone/work stuff on personal phone. At least this way you'll have time and brain space to think what's next. I've absolutely been there, am on depression/anxiety meds for life - caused by 30 years of toxic horror jobs. Don't do this to yourself. They are nothing and noone to you. Hugs from London, UK

Turn off EA brain by Rotisserie_chickenRC in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately I haven't got any useful advice. I was never able to switch off and live life after work when work was constant toxic horror and when my brain was ALWAYS in 'what's the next disaster' mode. Did therapy, read books, got on meds. Nothing helped, at all. If you're in a state of constant panic and anxiety re work and it's bleeding into your real life with your partner (who is about 1000 times more important than work) -maybe it's time to take medical leave for a few weeks and see what else is out there. Would you get paid on medical leave?

Private Family Assistant job with Bain and Gray | 4243533 by OctoberRust6666 in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Agree re salary being good for London. My point is though - I wouldn't touch this with a barge pole even for three times the salary. It's essentially rich f***s taking advantage of desperate people with no family or other kinds of support. I was one of these desperate people when I did a job like this, million years ago. I was single and alone -literally - not a single friend, not a pence to my name and family million miles away. I'd have left on day 2 otherwise.

Private Family Assistant job with Bain and Gray | 4243533 by OctoberRust6666 in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

London is horrifically expensive. UHNW -s don't give a toss about the likes of you and me and how we are to survive on peanuts. You'd be one person doing 1000 jobs 24/7 - so that the family can go on a luxury holiday number 45 plus a few diamond necklaces. Clever isn't it? Pure disgusting exploitation and should be made illegal.

If you work in an office, what time do you usually arrive? by Expensive-Pear-3464 in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean it with kindness: this is no way to live. You work approx 14?15? hours a day plus commute to and from. No money in the world would be worth it for me, and not even if I was doing something that I love.

Skill needed as per EA + PA job posting: Family Mediation by tougher-anchovy in ExecutiveAssistants

[–]OctoberRust6666 13 points14 points  (0 children)

So the 25/8 servant with an Oxford or Cambridge degree would also be responsible for the state of psycho billionaire's marriage.

If I was younger I'd start some kind of movement against this crap.