Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

MARCH 22, 2013

Hello Readers - 8 months ago, a reader asked me a question about fraternization and social etiquette at work. My question however, is… should I disclose the reason for my termination in my job interviews? I was so excited to see your email and as I read it, I thought it would eventually end on a high note.

Etiquette 40

Etiquette Temping Gossip Job Hunting 40

Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

JANUARY 8, 2013

I sat at my kitchen table watching my phone blow up while people were emailing and IM’ing me all at the same time wanting to know why they couldn’t get on the call. I am copied on highly confidential information and I read emails that seem to be written in a new language – sales speak. Thank you so much for your email!

Attire 40

Attire Etiquette Clothes Time Zones 40

Service Untitled

FEBRUARY 29, 2012

This is the fourth and final part of my interview with Rob Siefker, the Director of the Customer Loyatly Team at Zappos. You can read part one of the interview here , part two here , and part three here. I interviewed Tony a couple years ago and we were very high level, and I had requests for the nitty-gritty. Not right now.

Interviewing 40

Interviewing Customer Service Skills Goals 40

Professional Assistant Blog

MARCH 28, 2008

Home About Me Advertise Get A Job With A Thank You Letter By The Professional Assistant on Friday, March 28, 2008 Filed Under: Job Seeking , Productivity D id you just get out of an interview ? I appreciate your time and consideration in interviewing me for this position. Did you attend a few recently? Great post Richard.

Postal Code 100

Postal Code 2008 Cubicle 2007 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 15, 2009

Other times we will be talking and I notice his eyes moving to his BlackBerry and I will see he is no longer paying attention to me, but reading emails instead. Here is some common-sense etiquette: Screen your calls: Subscribe to call display. However, I think our etiquette hasnt caught up with the technology.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Etiquette Phones 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 19, 2009

What is the proper etiquette when addressing or writing to a President? Here is a video link on the proper etiquette to address a President. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Everyone up here calls him Obama and our Prime Minister is called Harper. Why do we not use their full name?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Etiquette 2009 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 5, 2009

INTERVIEW WELL Make it a conversation. You are interviewing them too so ask questions. Take notes during the interview so you don’t forget what you wanted to ask. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. CONFUSCIUS SAID, “Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life.&#

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Interviewing Holidays 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 13, 2010

I had no idea this could be done, but I was thrilled when I got her email, but it just proved to me once again that we are all holding on to things we take for granted that others know about. The tip she sent me was how to edit an email that you have received. Close out of the email and you will be asked to Save the changes.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP PowerPoint Email 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 13, 2008

When I interview for a job I interview the person interviewing me and try to get a feel for whether we will work well together. Good boss, bad boss On one interview I went on, when I met the two men who would be interviewing me, I met the first one and thought, "OK, so he seems like a nice man and I could work with him."

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Interviewing IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 1, 2010

One person can be great at software programs and know all sorts of tricks to get things done quickly and another might be excellent at organizing and managing their email account. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. I have always been a believer in sharing ideas and have received my best education from other assistants.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant

NOVEMBER 27, 2011

I wanted to dedicate a post on proper rejection etiquette when you are the one having to tell bad news to someone. Do not ignore their emails or calls when they follow up asking about status or the final outcome. Call them, send an email, and speak with them in person. Here are my suggestions that I hope you will find helpful.

Gifts 40

Gifts Etiquette Email Collaborate 40

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

Posted by Patricia Robb at 6:13 PM Labels: Administrative Assistant , etiquette for addressing officials , professional assistant Reactions: 2comments: Carol Bory said. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Another helpful site I refer to for protocol on addressing officials is www.formsofaddress.info.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 20, 2010

You hear something while walking down the hall or are copied on an email and know something about the purpose of a meeting coming up. Many times I am so thankful I had that quick chat or read that email that I was copied on as that was the exact information I needed when they were away. Oh where or where is my password?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

DECEMBER 28, 2009

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Gifts Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 16, 2010

They are responsible for canvassing the participants for dates and determining the date everyone is available and coummunicating that information to the participants by sending out a meeting request to everyone or emailing the date (depending on how you or your organization prefers to send notices of meetings).

Agenda 100

Agenda Time Zones International IAAP 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 5, 2010

If you have to reschedule, send an email apologizing, but advise that your bosss schedule has changed. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Depending on the importance of the impromptu meeting, it may need to be changed to another timeslot to accommodate his or her calendar. Oh where or where is my password?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MARCH 29, 2009

If you get an opportunity for an interview you may as well go and try it. Be prepared in the interview with your own questions too. I always like the interview to be a conversation, with both sides talking. HA HA, not funny Be very careful about using humour in an interview. They are interested, now what?

Time Zones 100

Time Zones Resume IAAP Interviewing 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 31, 2009

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Eat Your Career

AUGUST 9, 2010

Workbooks Stress Management Workbook Time Management Magic Reinvent Your Career Workbook More Tasty Goodness Career Management Consulting Job Interview Coaching Resume Revision Group Training & Public Speaking Eat My WHAT?! No position is perfect, no matter what they tell you during the interview. I HATE SPAM!

2010 100

2010 Stress Resume Cover Letter 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 28, 2010

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 27, 2010

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

PowerPoint 100

PowerPoint Time Zones IAAP 2010 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 13, 2010

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 7, 2010

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

APRIL 22, 2009

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Administrative Professionals 100

Administrative Professionals Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 23, 2010

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP AT&T Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

MAY 9, 2010

I breathe a sigh of relief when I get someones assistant on the phone or receive an email from them. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. It is important to build relationships with those we work with, but what about assistants we dont work with? Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 4, 2009

Make the interview count and ask the right questions. Ask yourself what things really matter to you and ask questions to bring those things up in the interview. Once you have completed a task, send your boss a quick e-mail to let them know you have done it or cc them on your email. Hire smart! Oh where or where is my password?

Management 100

Management Time Zones IAAP International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

FEBRUARY 27, 2009

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes Google 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

OCTOBER 31, 2009

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JULY 9, 2010

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JANUARY 10, 2010

I could see him looking after himself, trying to organise his diary and all his emails etc, and he wasn't sure what to give me. Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. When I first started the job I am in now, my boss had never had administrative support before. Let your fingers do the walking: Quick keyboard sh.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

SEPTEMBER 18, 2009

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 1, 2010

There are just too many passwords to remember, and that doesnt include my bosss passwords that I also need to know because I have to check his emails as well as my own. Some sites use your email address as the log in, while others require you to create your own. But things like email etc, are all logged up in the noggin.

Time Zones 100

Time Zones 2010 IAAP Filing 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

JUNE 4, 2010

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP 2010 International 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

AUGUST 22, 2009

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Holidays Meeting Minutes 100

Laughing all the Way to Work

NOVEMBER 10, 2008

Admin in the Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Holgat. Dates (Writing out dates) Diagnosis or Diagnoses Dictionaries Due to Electronic dictionaries Email Salutations Exclamation marks versus question marks Expressing Currencies Expressing Time Fewer vs. Less Further vs Farther Grammar or Style Hope: the Word??

Time Zones 100

Time Zones IAAP Meeting Minutes International 100