Henry writes in:
First off, thanks for present. I simply discovered your weblog, and I find it irresistible (and bookmarked your Amazon hyperlink for the following time I purchase one thing, in return for all that good recommendation)!
My query for you: In a stroke of luck, a pal of a pal is thinking about hiring me as an workplace PA at a big TV community. We’re going to fulfill and talk about the place over lunch subsequent week. I’ve some questions in thoughts to ask, however the one trade expertise I’ve is a short internship at a small manufacturing firm. My restricted background makes me fear that I’d come off as ignorant or miss a chance to ask an essential query. Is there one thing I ought to undoubtedly inquire about now that I may not consider or that (placing pleasure apart right here) may make me appear barely much less of an absolute newbie than I’m?
As we talked about final month, there are methods you possibly can ask questions with out giving up the truth that you don’t know what the hell is happening.
However fortunately for you, you’re a PA, and nobody expects you to know a lot. There’s no cause to ask them how they anticipate you to do a particular job. They assume you’re inexperienced, however the stage of inexperience could be left imprecise. “Higher to stay silent and be thought a idiot than to talk and to take away all doubt,” as they are saying.
Often, I’ve seen a coordinator ask a possible PA in the event that they know do one thing (like, say, buy orders), as a check. Simply say you’re aware of the method, however you’ll be completely happy to do it the best way they like.
Right here’s a couple of issues not to ask, nonetheless–
- What are the hours? Your hours are going to be completely different each day. Don’t make plans in the course of the week. Or the primary half of Saturday.
- Can I’ve [day] off? In case you have trip plans locked in place, say, for a marriage or child bathe, don’t point out it in the course of the interview. Ask about after you get the job, when it’s too late for them to rent another person.
- What’s [famous cast member] like? The solid are identical to your different co-workers, besides richer, prettier, and charming-er. In case you give the impression that you just’re going to present tricks to a gossip weblog, they’ll by no means rent you.
Some individuals say you shouldn’t ask about pay in the course of the first interview, however for assistant jobs, there’s normally solely one interview. If the topic doesn’t come up naturally in the midst of the dialog, you possibly can ask about charges and advantages on the finish of the dialog.
After they ask when you’ve got any questions, simply say, “Effectively, I’d be fairly irresponsible if I didn’t ask in regards to the charge.” In case you’re in a relationship, you possibly can even pawn it off on them: “My spouse/husband would kill me if I didn’t get the speed earlier than accepting the job.”
