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Startup Mindset: Take Charge of Your Assistant Career by Clearly Defining Your Services

For administrative professionals and executive assistants who want more control over their careers, treating your role like a startup can be a game-changer. This unconventional mindset not only fosters increased efficiency and innovation but also leads to greater job satisfaction. By embracing a startup mentality, you can empower yourself to take charge of your career, set clear boundaries, and recognize the value you bring to your organization. Let’s explore how thinking like a startup and defining your services can help you thrive in your professional life.

Shift Your Perspective and Think Like a Founder

Take a moment for yourself. Close your eyes and imagine this: you are the CEO of your very own startup or a consultant running your agency that specializes in Executive Support Services. Now, picture your employer as your client. If you’re currently in the job market, think of it as you searching for your next big client—aka your future employer.

This mindset shift is powerful! It places you on equal footing with your employer, reminding you that you are a sought-after professional hired to deliver specialized services. You’re no longer just an employee—you’re a skilled business leader who understands the needs of your clients and provides impactful solutions.

Embracing this perspective is the first step toward gaining more autonomy and control over your professional life. It empowers you to make choices that resonate with your values and support your well-being. Now that we’ve begun this perspective shift, let’s explore how defining your services can help you set boundaries and clarify your value.

Define Your Services, Create Boundaries

As any savvy business owner knows, clearly defining your offerings is essential to success. This principle holds true for you as well! It’s time to take stock of the services you provide. Start by crafting a detailed list of your skills and contributions. A fun and effective way to do this is to imagine you’re setting up a website for your own business—what services would you highlight on your services page?

Here are a few examples to get you started:

  • Executive Support
  • Calendar Management
  • Travel Management
  • Project Management
  • Office Management
  • Event Planning
  • Onboarding Management
  • Culture Creation

By defining your services, you’ll not only clarify your role but also empower yourself to establish boundaries and negotiate your worth confidently.

Once you have your list, reflect on how each service aligns with your current job description and the expectations your employer has set.

Once you have your list, reflect on how each service aligns with your current job description and the expectations your employer has set. Concentrate on the core services your employer has explicitly requested you to provide. Additionally, take note of any responsibilities you’re handling that fall outside of these core services. If you identify several tasks that aren’t part of your job description, it may be time to approach your employer for a conversation about recalibrating your role.

Tip from our Founder, Lauren Bradley: Avoid putting everything you do on your job description. Many assistants make this mistake, which can result in being contractually obligated to provide a wide range of services. Instead, focus on the services that extend beyond the core requirements of your role. Determine which of these additional responsibilities are significant projects or require considerable effort. This insight can empower you to negotiate a new remuneration package—whether that means a higher salary, a bonus, or more PTO.

Think about it: if you hired a supplier and asked them to deliver five services, you wouldn’t expect them to suddenly take on five more without renegotiating their service agreement just because you requested it. Voila, boundaries!

This exercise can help you pinpoint areas where you not only meet but exceed expectations, as well as identify tasks that may fall outside your scope.

Understand the Value of Your Services

One of the most critical aspects of defining your services is understanding the value they bring to your “client”—your employer. Each service you offer should be framed in terms of its impact. For example, if travel management is one of your services, you might define that:

Travel Management – I handle all the travel logistics for executives, ensuring seamless and cost-effective journeys that prevent disruptions and reduce costs. By organizing a clear agenda and taking care of every detail, I create a comfortable travel experience that lets clients arrive relaxed and focused, ready to engage in high-stakes meetings without the stress of last-minute changes or travel headaches—allowing them to maximize their impact and effectiveness during their trip.

By articulating what you do, who you do it for, and the value it brings, you not only position yourself as an essential contributor to your organization’s success but also demonstrate a clear understanding of the business case for your role. This clarity not only reinforces your boundaries but also strengthens your case when it comes to negotiating your role or compensation.

Knowing the full range of your services equips you to communicate your boundaries effectively. If you notice that you’re taking on tasks beyond your defined services, you can leverage this knowledge to advocate for adjustments in your workload or negotiate for better compensation or additional benefits.

Conclusion

Defining your services and understanding their value is more than just an exercise in clarity; it’s a vital step toward owning your professional narrative and enhancing your career journey. By treating your role like a startup, you empower yourself to be proactive and intentional in your work. You’re not just an employee; you’re a talented consultant offering invaluable services. Embrace this mindset, set your boundaries, and watch as your career flourishes!

Boost Your Productivity and Creativity: How Microsoft Designer Can Help Assistants Shine

In the fast-paced world of administrative professionals, assistants often wear multiple hats, managing everything from scheduling and project coordination to event planning and presentation design. It’s no wonder that finding tools that streamline workflows and simplify design tasks can be a real lifesaver! Microsoft Designer is one of those tools, bringing the power of AI-driven design and ease-of-use right into the hands of administrative professionals. Whether you’re handling social media, presentations, or creating team resources, this tool is worth exploring.

What is Microsoft Designer?

Microsoft Designer is an AI-powered design tool within Microsoft’s suite of apps that makes creating professional-looking visuals incredibly easy. If you’re familiar with other graphic design tools, such as Canva or Adobe Spark, you’ll recognize the same drag-and-drop interface and customizable templates, but with the added benefits of seamless Microsoft 365 integration and powerful AI features.

In a nutshell, Microsoft Designer can help you create high-quality visuals quickly, even if you don’t have a background in graphic design. This is especially helpful for assistants who need polished graphics but may not have the budget or time for extensive design work.

Key Features of Microsoft Designer

Microsoft Designer offers several features designed to make visual content creation easy and accessible for all skill levels. Here are some standout features:

  1. Templates for All Occasions
    Designer comes with a range of ready-made templates for social media posts, presentations, newsletters, and more. Whether you’re crafting an event flyer, preparing slides for a meeting, or creating a social media graphic, Microsoft Designer has templates that will help you get started with ease.
  2. AI-Powered Suggestions
    One of the most innovative features in Microsoft Designer is its AI-powered design suggestions. When you input your content, the tool automatically generates several design options based on your text and chosen theme. This means you can see multiple design possibilities instantly, saving you the time you might otherwise spend brainstorming ideas from scratch.
  3. Effortless Customization
    After choosing a template, you can easily personalize it with your colors, fonts, images, and logos to make it fit your brand. Designer allows you to import media from your device or even use the images and icons in its library, making customization a breeze.
  4. Collaboration Features
    With Microsoft Designer’s integration into Microsoft 365, sharing and collaborating on designs is simple. You can share drafts with your team members and even collect feedback directly within the document, streamlining the approval process.
  5. Seamless Microsoft 365 Integration
    If you’re using Microsoft 365, Designer integrates well with other Microsoft apps like PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook. This means you can easily move designs between these programs and use your visuals across different projects without hassle.

How Microsoft Designer Can Benefit Assistants

Here are some specific ways administrative professionals can leverage Microsoft Designer to make their workdays smoother:

1. Create Eye-Catching Event Invitations

Organizing an office event or a company outing? With Designer’s templates, assistants can quickly craft event invitations that look professional and polished, saving time for other event-planning tasks.

2. Design Presentation Slides

Presentation preparation is a big part of many assistants’ roles. With Designer, you can create slide templates and add engaging visuals that elevate the overall quality of the presentation. The AI suggestions are particularly useful when you’re pressed for time.

3. Social Media Content for Internal Communications

If you manage internal communications, creating graphics for announcements or social media-style posts can boost engagement within the company. Designer’s social media templates are a great fit for sharing announcements, team highlights, or employee recognition posts.

4. Save and Reuse Templates for Consistency

Brand consistency can be challenging when there’s limited time to create visuals from scratch. With Designer, you can create and save templates that reflect your company’s branding, allowing you to maintain a consistent look across all your materials. This is especially helpful when managing materials like newsletters or recurring event flyers.

5. Simplify Reporting and Data Presentation

Microsoft Designer can help assistants present data in a visually appealing way, whether in PowerPoint, Excel, or Word. It’s a perfect tool for creating infographics and charts that make information more digestible.

Accessing Microsoft Designer

It’s important to note that Microsoft Designer is currently available only through a personal Microsoft account and is not accessible via business accounts. This means that if you’re using a work account, you might need to set up a personal account to take advantage of Designer’s features. The good news? Microsoft Designer is completely free to use, making it an accessible tool for all assistants looking to enhance their design capabilities without any financial investment. This accessibility allows you to create stunning visuals without the barriers of expensive software or subscriptions, empowering you to elevate your work efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Designer is a versatile and accessible design tool that can be a huge asset to administrative professionals. By saving time on creating graphics and presentations, assistants can focus on other core responsibilities, ultimately adding more value to their role. Plus, its integration with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem makes it an ideal fit for assistants already familiar with other Microsoft tools.

If you’re an assistant looking to add some design savvy to your toolkit, Microsoft Designer is definitely worth exploring. With its AI-powered features, it puts professional design capabilities within reach, even if you’re short on time or resources.

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Watch our demo where we showcase how assistants can utilize Microsoft Designer to create impactful images for presentations, events, and internal communications—all without needing extensive design experience.

Sign up as a member today to gain access to this valuable resource and many more!

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Microsoft Designer for Assistants Replay
A female assistants smiling in a leather jacket. She's just found decision making easy with The Secretary Problem.

How “The Secretary Problem” Can Help You Make Smarter Choices as an Admin Professional

Learn why optimal stopping is the key to making the right choice

Every day, administrative professionals are faced with countless decisions—whether it’s hiring a candidate, choosing a supplier, or picking the best venue for an event. The challenge? Making the “right” choice can feel impossible when options are numerous and there’s pressure to make a fast decision.

This is where a concept from mathematics, called The Secretary Problem, offers a unique perspective. The name alone makes it sound like it was made just for administrative professionals like you! It’s a classic mathematical problem that’s been used to guide strategic decisions across various fields. Let’s explore what the Secretary Problem is, how it applies to the choices you make, and why it can help you feel more confident in making well-timed decisions.

What is the Secretary Problem?

The Secretary Problem (sometimes called the “Optimal Stopping Problem”) describes a mathematical approach to selecting the best option from a sequence of choices—when you only get one chance to make that choice. Originally, this problem was framed around hiring a secretary: imagine you have a fixed number of candidates for the position. You have to evaluate each one in order, deciding whether to accept or reject them as you go. But here’s the catch: once you pass on a candidate, you can’t go back.

The goal is to figure out a strategy for identifying the best candidate without knowing who the remaining candidates are or how good they might be. Mathematicians studying the problem determined a clever way to maximize your chances of choosing the best candidate without looking at all of them.

How Does the Solution Work? The 37% Rule

The general solution to the Secretary Problem suggests that you should spend approximately 37% of your time (or the total number of choices) just evaluating options, without committing to any one choice. During this phase, you observe and set a benchmark based on the options you’ve seen. After reaching this 37% mark, you then select the first candidate that exceeds the benchmark set in the initial evaluation phase.

For instance, if you have ten candidates to interview, you’d evaluate the first four without making any offers. From candidate number five onward, you’d make an offer to the first one that surpasses those initial four in quality.

Why the Secretary Problem Matters for Admin Professionals

Understanding the Secretary Problem can help you in situations where:

  1. You have limited time and resources (e.g., reviewing a long list of suppliers or vendors).
  2. You need to make a choice without revisiting past options (e.g., deciding on a candidate for a temporary position).
  3. There’s pressure to choose the best option (e.g., selecting a venue for a VIP event).

Let’s look at how applying this strategy can help in practical ways.

Applications of the Secretary Problem in Admin Work

1. Selecting Candidates for Open Positions

When you’re assisting in the hiring process, The Secretary Problem can be a helpful framework. By evaluating candidates without committing in the initial stages, you can develop a sense of the “standard” before you make a hiring recommendation. This can help you feel more confident that the candidate you recommend later on is genuinely one of the best in the pool.

2. Choosing Vendors or Suppliers

From catering to office supplies, finding the right vendor can be time-consuming. Following the 37% rule, you could spend the initial 37% of your review time just comparing and taking notes. Then, commit to the first vendor who outshines the ones reviewed earlier, confident that you’ve sampled enough of the market to make a smart decision.

3. Making Decisions with Limited Information

When comparing venues, partners, or project timelines, decisions often need to be made with limited information. Applying the Secretary Problem can reduce decision fatigue and help you avoid second-guessing your choices. It offers a rational stopping point, so you don’t feel the need to endlessly search for “something better.”

Key Takeaways

  1. The Secretary Problem can help admin professionals approach choices strategically, ensuring they don’t rush to choose or endlessly search for the “perfect” option.
  2. Using the 37% rule as a guide can reduce decision fatigue, giving you a structured way to determine when you’ve seen enough options.
  3. Knowing when to stop (and that it’s mathematically backed) provides peace of mind when selecting the right candidate, vendor, or venue.

Whether you’re recruiting for a role, booking a supplier, or managing resources, understanding The Secretary Problem can be your secret weapon for making smarter, faster, and more satisfying decisions.

The next time you’re weighing a tough choice, remember The Secretary Problem and the 37% rule. It’s more than just math—it’s a tool that’s uniquely relevant to the decision-making challenges you face as an administrative professional.

Please note this page may contain affiliate links that support us to do what we do best. We only partner with products and services we love. You can read our Affiliate Disclaimer for more information.

Algorithms to Live By Book Recommendation

Recommended Reading

If you’re interested in learning more about practical algorithms that can simplify decision-making in work and life, I highly recommend Algorithms to Live By by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths. This book dives into powerful strategies like the Secretary Problem and many others, offering insights into how computer science principles can help us navigate everyday choices.

Buy on Amazon

4 Must-Have Tools for Administrative Professionals to Maintain a Clutter-Free Digital Workspace

Please note this page may contain affiliate links that support us to do what we do best. We only partner with products and services we love. You can read our Affiliate Disclaimer for more information.

In the fast-paced world of administrative roles, keeping your digital workspace organized is paramount. With a multitude of tasks, appointments, and documents to manage, having the right tools can make all the difference. Here are five essential tools that can help you maintain a clutter-free digital workspace and boost your productivity.

What you’ll find here:

Notion: The Ultimate All-in-One Solution for Assistant Organization

Notion is the ultimate digital Swiss Army knife for administrative professionals. It combines note-taking, task management, project collaboration, and database functions into one sleek platform. Create a centralized hub for your tasks, meetings, and reference materials. Collaborate seamlessly with team members and keep everything organized in one place.

Spoiler Alert: We are launching a new Notion-based solution for assistants to help keep you organized so you never miss a task and have an intuitive way to capture relevant information and SOPs.

Tags for Google Calendar™ Chrome Extension: Streamline Your Scheduling

Here at The Officials we use Google Workspace and being a small organization we don’t need the robust plans that a larger enterprise might need. If you work for an SMB in the same situation, you may be missing out on Google Calendar tags and labels available in the the bigger plans but not anymore!

Tags for Google Calendar™ is a Chrome extension that allows you to color-code and tag your events. Easily distinguish between meetings, deadlines, and personal appointments. This visual organization can help you manage any schedule with ease.

ChatGPT Chat Organizer: Tame Your Digital Conversations for Easy Reference

Assistants rely on ChatGPT for daily, sometimes hourly, support in their roles, but managing chat threads can be a real challenge. That’s where the ChatGPT Chat Organizer comes in. This extension empowers you to effortlessly create folders for various topics, projects, or clients, simplifying chat organization and retrieval. Bid farewell to the hours wasted on scrolling and searching. With just a few clicks, you can efficiently organize your chats, saving valuable time while preserving your conversations. It’s the essential tool to regain control of your digital workspace.

Courses for assistants by assistants!

Digital Declutter Course for Assistants

Find sanity in your digital workspace. Get your digital workspace organized so you can save time, mental energy, and work in a pleasant digital environment with your talented instructor, Melissa Peoples.

No more overflowing inboxes. No more FOLDERS OF DOOM sitting on your digital desktop. It’s time to take back control!

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Inside the Onboarding course

Tango: Effortlessly Create Interactive How-To Guides in Minutes

We actually first heard about Tango from an Official (thank you again, Jana)! With Tango, documenting any process via a browser becomes a breeze as you simply click through the steps, eliminating the need for screenshots. You use Tango via a Chrome Extension or you can use the desktop app.

This innovative tool automatically transforms your process into a step-by-step interactive walkthrough. And that’s not all—Tango also takes care of formatting screenshots, crafting clear descriptions, and generating shareable links for your guides. Plus, it turns your guides into interactive walkthroughs, ensuring your team knows precisely where to click. No more searching for answers; Tango’s extension notifies you about relevant how-to guides in real-time, right when you need them. Say goodbye to tedious work and hello to streamlined, effective guidance with Tango.

By using our link you can get 25% off Tango Pro of 15% off Enterprise.

Wrap Up

As we conclude our journey through these fantastic tools, remember that the path to a clutter-free and productive workspace begins with a single click. These tools are your companions on the road to streamlined efficiency. So, why wait? Embrace the digital transformation, and let these tools be your guiding stars toward a more organized, stress-free, and successful future!

Assistants standing in front of a calendar and a clock. One is moving events on the calendar the other is on a laptop. They are demonstrating effective time management skills.

How to Help Your Boss Stay on Schedule: Executive Assistants’ Guide

Proven Tactics for Minimizing Meeting Time Overruns and Maximizing Productivity

Wrangling Your Executive’s Meeting Times

Have you struggled with keeping your executive on track during meetings? It’s a common challenge faced by many executive assistants. Recently, a question in our community prompted us to dive deeper into this issue:

Any tips on how to wrangle your executive from running over their meeting times? The executive I support repeatedly doesn’t keep to time on their scheduled meetings and then it has a knock-on effect on the rest of their meetings.

Posted by an Official in our community

Understanding the Problem: Causes of Meeting Time Overruns

Before we delve into solutions, let’s explore the underlying causes of meeting time overruns. By identifying these factors, we can develop effective strategies to address them:

  • Lack of clear objectives and success criteria
  • Absence of a standardized meeting protocol
  • Insufficient buffer time between meetings
  • Time blindness
  • Ineffective communication methods
  • Need for boss’s self-awareness and role modeling
  • Unawareness of the cost and consequences of meeting overruns

Setting the Foundation for Productive Meetings

To overcome meeting time overruns, establishing a strong foundation is crucial. Let’s explore essential strategies for effective meeting management:

  • Setting Clear Objectives: Define meeting objectives and collaborate with your boss to establish success criteria.
  • Implementing a Meeting Protocol: Develop a standardized meeting structure, well-structured agendas, and timely submission of materials.
  • Allocating Buffer Time: Maximize productivity by scheduling buffer time between meetings and utilizing it effectively.

Effective Communication Methods

Communication plays a vital role in ensuring meeting efficiency. Consider these strategies to improve communication with your executive:

  • Leveraging Instant Messaging Apps: Utilize text or instant messaging for quick updates and clarifications.
  • Expressing the Value of Time: Encourage your boss’s self-reflection on their role as a time model and emphasize the importance of respecting everyone’s time.

Demonstrating the Cost of Meeting Overruns

Quantifying the cost and consequences of meeting overruns can be a powerful tool to drive change. Explore these methods to showcase the impact:

  • Calculating ROI of Meetings: Utilize the HBR Meeting Cost Calculator to estimate financial costs and emphasize the value of time.
  • Get to the Heart of the Matter: Engage in open conversations with your boss to understand their perspective on why meetings run late and challenge them to see the impact it makes on their reputation and how it imposes on others productivity.

Practical Strategies for Ending Meetings Efficiently

Ending meetings promptly is a crucial step towards optimizing your executive’s schedule. Consider these practical strategies:

  • Providing Exit Scripts: Offer scripted statements to help your boss conclude meetings on time. HEre are some examples for you:
    • Based on our agenda, we’ve covered all the important topics. Let’s wrap up and move on to our next steps.
    • I want to be respectful of everyone’s time, so let’s conclude the meeting now. If there are any additional points, we can address them via email or schedule a follow-up discussion.
    • As we approach the end of our scheduled meeting time, I’d like to give everyone a chance for any final thoughts or questions before we adjourn.
    • I have another meeting coming up, so let’s bring this one to a close. If there are any outstanding matters, please let me know, and we can address them separately.
    • Our allotted time is almost up, so I’ll summarize the key takeaways and action items. If anyone has anything else to add, please share it now. Otherwise, let’s end the meeting on a positive note.
    • We’re almost out of time, so let’s finish up.
    • I have another commitment soon, so let’s conclude.
    • To respect everyone’s schedules, we’ll end the meeting here.
    • I appreciate the ongoing discussion, but we need to wrap up the meeting now. Let’s continue this conversation offline.
    • I understand there are still important points to discuss, but in the interest of time, let’s conclude the meeting. We can schedule a follow-up if needed.
    • It’s great to see such engagement, but we’re running over time. Let’s table the remaining discussion points for our next meeting.
    • I apologize for interrupting, but we’re exceeding our allotted time. If there are any final remarks, please share them briefly.
    • I understand this is an important topic, but we’re out of time. If there are any urgent matters, please follow up via email or schedule a separate meeting.
  • Introduce tools like Should It Be a Meeting to evaluate meeting necessity and leverage asynchronous communication for non-urgent matters.

By implementing these strategies, executive assistants can effectively manage meeting times and boost productivity. Let us know how you keep your executive on time in the comments below.

Would you like to opportunity to ask your question to our community?

Join The Officials HQ training and community platform today and unlock a world of opportunities. Gain access to industry experts, connect with a global community of assistants, and have the chance to ask your own questions, receive personalized advice, and crowdsource solutions.

Plus, with our comprehensive courses, exclusive events, and valuable resources, you’ll have everything you need to excel in your role.

Don’t miss out – visit jointheofficials.com now and become a member of The Officials HQ.
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A busy coworking space where assistants are sitting at laptops and working together.

Coworking Sessions for Administrative Professionals: What You Need to Know

As an administrative professional, you have a lot on your plate. From managing calendars to answering emails, your days can be filled with a never-ending list of tasks. That’s why we’ve created a coworking session just for you. Join us every Friday for dedicated time to work on what’s important to you, accountability through goal setting, and a wellness break to refresh and promote focus. Plus, the “library effect” that promotes productivity as attendees work on mute to hit their goals.

What to Expect from Our Coworking Session

The Library Effect

At our coworking session, we’ll start with a quick introduction and goal-setting for the session. Then, we’ll get to work. For the majority of the session, we’ll be on mute to create a “library effect” that promotes productivity. However, we’ll have time to chat in the last 5 minutes to celebrate progress and connect with other administrative professionals.

Set Your Own Agenda

You tell us what you want to work on and it goes on the board. Whether it’s clearing your to-do list, working on a passion project, or prepping for the coming week, this is your time to focus on what matters most.

Time Management and Goal-Setting

We’ll set a timer and check in halfway through to ensure you’re on track to meet your goals. Our coworking session is all about accountability, so we encourage you to set realistic goals for the session and strive to meet them.

Who Can Attend Our Coworking Session

All Administrative Professionals Welcome

Anyone in the administrative professional community is welcome to attend our coworking session. This includes executive assistants, administrative assistants, personal assistants, virtual assistants, chiefs of staff, office managers, strategic business partners, receptionists, and more.

What Should You Work on During Our Coworking Session

Anything You Want

Our coworking session is the perfect time to tidy up any hanging items for the week, work on a passion or pesky project, prep for the coming week, and more. It’s up to you to decide what to work on during the session.

You won’t believe how much you’ll get done!

Join us for our
Friday Coworking

Join us for a coworking session for administrative professionals to help you clear your To Do List, work on a passion project, or prep for the coming week.

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The image is of a coworking space with assistants working on laptops at long wooden tables.

An assistant is sitting with a MacBook Air on her lap and she has Canva on the screen. She is working on a design. Elevate Your Document Game: How Canva Docs Empower Executive Assistants

Elevate Your Document Game: How Canva Docs Empower Executive Assistants

Please note this page may contain affiliate links that support us to do what we do best. We only partner with products and services we love. You can read our Affiliate Disclaimer for more information.

What are Canva Docs?

Canva Docs is a revolutionary tool that allows you to create interactive and professional-looking documents quickly and easily. With Canva Docs, you can embed videos and presentations, add images, charts, and diagrams, format text with headings, bold, italics, lists, and more, and connect multiple pages together into a seamless flow.

Continue reading Elevate Your Document Game: How Canva Docs Empower Executive Assistants →
Lauren Bradley on stage at The PA Show in a yellow sweater behind a podium

Check out the PA Show in November and learn how to be a better assistant!

The PA Show is coming to the heart of London’s Business District on November 2, 2022!

[VIRTUAL PACKAGE AVAILABLE!]

register now
Continue reading Check out the PA Show in November and learn how to be a better assistant! →
An assistant with red glasses looking confused. She's sitting at a desk with a laptop, a hot drink, and a red table lamp.

Assistants, avoid these red flags when looking for your next employer

Got a bad feeling about an interview but can’t put your finger on it? Sometimes, you notice something odd about an interview, but maybe desperation clouds your judgment. There’s always a risk when you decide to take on a new job. However, you can significantly minimize the risk by keeping an eye out for some red flags.

There’s only so much to learn about a company’s values, work environment, and work style in a short-lived interview and on-boarding process. And you’re not alone in this. 29% of workers quit 90 days into their job. We’ve got you covered, though, and you don’t have to wait that long to find out if a company isn’t right for you

Recently, we surveyed The Officials Community of administrative professionals around the world about red flags they have experienced and the responses are eye-opening. You’ll find their responses sprinkled throughout the article below. We’re certain that this guide will help you avoid a ton of headaches down the line when taking on a new job.

Continue reading Assistants, avoid these red flags when looking for your next employer →
The Officials wins UK Enterprise Awards

The Officials Wins Best Online E-learning Training Platform – London in SME UK Enterprise Awards

The SME UK Enterprise Awards highlight SMEs for their industry excellence, overall performance, customer experience and innovation in their field. The Officials is proud to be recognized for our team’s commitment to quality training for administrative professionals.

The Officials has been awarded Best Online E-learning Training Platform – London in the 6th annual UK Enterprise Awards by SME News.

Continue reading The Officials Wins Best Online E-learning Training Platform – London in SME UK Enterprise Awards →