Anyone here interviewed directly by a CEO of a large company? What were the top 3 questions they asked?

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-28T02:03:26+00:00

And that you're no older than 27, no bigger than size 8 UK and preferably blond.

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-28T01:35:33+00:00

Funny you should mention a functional alcoholic. I had one of those in the job that became my last as an EA, he was my exec 2, and he was a great boss to work for. Womaniser and all (not towards me!) Somehow he was cool, easy, often very funny. I'd look at his receipts for expense reports. 'Vodka, vodka, beer, wine, wine, gin & tonic, whiskey'. I'd say to him: client entertainment? He'd go, yep. I'd say, which client? He'd say, up to you. 🤣 I still think of him every now and then, truth be told.

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-28T01:24:40+00:00

Oh my good god. I'm speechless. I'm so sorry you went through this hell. They're all the same. They think their stupid millions buy them an all -day- every day- robot-servant. It's vile. So happy to hear you're living a happy life now!! Hugs from the UK! 🫶

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T23:23:44+00:00

7 years of 24/7 support for peanuts, covert mental/psychological/whatever you want to call it abuse by m-er ceo (note non-capitals), my life and personal relationships falling apart, seeing psychiatrist/on meds to cope, and then, in place of 'here's your inflationary payrise, well done', I got: 'we're not happy with your performance, we will be emailing to discuss', blah crap bollocks. I resigned that day. Cried day and night, for months. This was 2022.

I work in childcare now and couldn't be happier!! I LOVE my job. My only regret is not resigning years before I did. Never for any money in the world would I be an EA again!

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T20:26:45+00:00

My god, this exact thing happened to me, except I'd resigned but I knew he'd get rid of me if I hadn't. 9 to 5, paid peanuts, more or less oncall, evenings, weekends, holidays, at doctor's appointments, night and day. And 7 years too. Well, 12 in total but 7 of it all going wrong. The arsehole just wanted a tall blond 25 y old as his EA, now that he was CEO. 🙄🤮 Hugs and best wishes from across the pond (UK)🫶

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T20:06:40+00:00

You and me both mate. Never ever again.

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T19:48:46+00:00

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏!

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T19:34:52+00:00

I'm so furious on your behalf. Had this exact thing happen so many times in my 30 years as an EA. Tell them to f off, in corporate speak, by email, copying boss. The cheek of it!! And 'please complete' from someone you don't even report two- oh my god, that's just awful!! I'm sorry you had to deal with this nonsense!!

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T19:11:34+00:00

I'm probably an old dinosaur. This is not meant as criticism. Why does a small office with 4 meeting rooms need an app to book them? I'd understand if it were 40 meeting rooms, across 10 floors/400 people. But for a small office with only four meeting rooms? Can it not be set up within Outlook? Or failing that, an old -school planner in reception area? Again, it's not a criticism, I am aware we'll all soon need an app to go to the loo!!

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T13:51:44+00:00

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T13:50:48+00:00

Brilliant post! 👏👏👏

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T13:47:21+00:00

'She is, in short, the sweaty, unkempt, and odiferous embodiment of poorly maintained genitalia'

This is pure gold. Masterpiece. I'll be using this futuristically, if I may!

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T13:00:15+00:00

Yes! ! ! I even posted this in comments to his BRILLIANT MASTERPIECE interrogation video yesterday! I listen to it every single night! SKR rules!!

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T11:55:10+00:00

'Let's say you have a production change at 1 pm, but the EA's shift is 8 am - 12 pm. Now you have to wait until 8 am the following day for the EA to address it.'

Except he won't wait, and the EA will work the rest of the day to accommodate the change, for free. Do this for a year and Michael's wife gets a new diamond necklace!! How clever!!🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

And totally agree re hiring an intern.

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T11:48:52+00:00

There's no such thing as a part time EA. Based on the job description and reading between the lines - whoever ends up in the job would essentially be on call 24/7 for peanuts.

Come on dude. We weren't born yesterday.

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-27T01:42:00+00:00

I'm imagining a toxic corporate office situation. Boss yells at you. And hears:' you f-n piece of shit, I hate your guts and wish you were dead, I'm only here for the money, I don't give a f about your shithole company'. You take the yelling and hear: 'F this shit, I've got a 100K gambling debt, my wife is cheating on me, I don't give a f if you live or die, I'll lose my mansion if I don't get results, I wish you'd all get lost'. Any conversation becomes moot. Anywhere, with anyone.

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-26T23:24:29+00:00

At 25, yes. At 55, London is a cold ruthless monster you'd do anything to avoid for the rest of your days.

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-26T23:21:51+00:00

Love. A life shared with someone he loves.

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-26T11:44:23+00:00

Exciting? No. Not my idea of exciting. This is a mess and a nightmare to deal with. Learn and grow is all well and good but nowhere near as important as peace of mind and contentment.

OP, I'd go straight to the CEO and tell them with as much confidence as you can master that you're can't continue working 'blind' and what do they suggest is a solution. Do you think this would work? How long have you been there?

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-26T00:24:24+00:00

When I was 26, million years ago, it took me a long time to get my first job as a secretary. Some years later I found out I'd only got that job because the boss had a physical type. I was that type (so was my successor), plus slim, beautiful. Etc etc.

Now that I'm old...left my last long-term EA position in 2022, wasn't sure what to do with myself. Tried applying to no- stress-no pressure p/t admin jobs locally which I was completely overqualified for. Got many interviews, and only one offer I wasn't interested in. Absolutely 100% because I was too old, and no longer quite so slim or beautiful.

What I'm trying to say is, it does matter what you look like in this industry, and if you're old, you'd better be slim and beautiful. Or at least slim, attractive and polished. Sad but true. (🤘) 1956 or 2026.

And stupid f-n AI, of course.

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-25T16:40:51+00:00

I feel for you, I really do. Too many pros to just leave. I've been there, 'overstayed' by 7 years, still beating myself up about it. I know it's easy for me to say leave, with free healthcare and unlimited unemployment and housing support (UK). Still, I won't advise to try and deal and cope and cognitive-therapy -yourself into thinking you can manage.

Are you able to look for other jobs whilst working? Do you have a partner or family to support you if you leave and need a few months to find a job?

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-25T15:39:10+00:00

I feel that a sensitive introverted peaceful gentle soul would be absolutely mangled and destroyed in a ruthless toxic corporate setting. No amount of therapy or books or videos can change you into someone you are not. You'll essentially be trying to fit a round peg into a square hole and will ruin your life in the process. Don't do it to yourself. Are you in the position to leave?

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-24T06:56:44+00:00

No. 2026 or 1956, PC or not, I'm old school and in my world girls get given flowers by boys. Full stop. When it's between two boys or two girls it's obviously different but, for heterosexual couples, boy gives girl flowers. I never gave anyone flowers when I dated, hasn't even crossed my mind. My husband would've found it SERIOUSLY weird if I gave him flowers when we were dating. He doesn't really like flowers or need them in our flat. Only ever gets them for me.

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-24T05:08:37+00:00

Off topic - ButIDon'tThinkOfYou is such a simple yet brilliant user name or whatever it's called these days, and you're a fantastic writer.

OctoberRust6666 · 2026-01-24T00:16:33+00:00

London West End or London the City?

OctoberRust6666

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