How to Survive Your Job as an Executive Assistant

After more than 7,000 hits on my first piece, "How to Survive Your Job as an Executive Assistant", I thought it was high time to massage my experiences as an Executive Assistant and create a sequel. Are you on the "Crazy Train" yet? If not, hop on! Executive Assistants unite! Together, we will take back the office.

Ten Important Things for Executive Assistants to Remember:

1. An Executive Assistant is only as good as the notes he/she takes. You will sometimes need to share these notes. They are now your boss' notes and you had nothing to do with them in the first place. Continue taking notes.

2. Erase all evidence of foul-play immediately or your boss may discover that you have an amazing knack for doodling on Expense Reports.

3. Your boss or team members may have said something directly to you and you may have done the task exactly as instructed, but unless you have an email with those instructions to send back to them, you most likely will be told you did it completely wrong. This is where you nod, smile and apologize for not following directions.

4. Coffee is your friend. It will save you from the nonsense that is the office and bring you to a realm of peace and calm. You will need it for the back-to-back Executive meetings you're spearheading that no one told you about until five minutes after your unscheduled start time. Oh, by the way, you're late.

5. Never forget to lock your office door because people might walk in and take something important. On the other hand, if your door is locked and your boss cannot get in, you should've left it unlocked. Repeat as needed.

6. Your responsibilities are few, but your tasks are many. With these tasks comes responsibility. Repeat.

7. An Executive Assistant should always ask questions when not sure of the project at hand. Asking too many questions means you do not understand and cannot perform the functions of the job. Not asking enough questions means you are not interested in learning the process. Go back to item #4 and take a big, long swig.

8. Folders for multiple projects are wonderful to have because they keep everything separate and organized. While on vacation, hide these folders. You may not recognize them when you return. By the way, this will be your fault.

9. Always confide in your team members. An Executive Assistant needs her back-ups! Just don't rely on them too much because then it looks like you're not able to do the job on your own. I know, the team concept is tricky. It makes you think you might actually be able to work as a team. Return to item #4 again if confused.

10. Remember to read minds. This will help you in everything you do as an Executive Assistant. Oh, you can't read minds? Don't ever admit it. Nod, smile and act like you meant to do whatever it was that you just did on accident that resulted in praise from the Big Cheese.

There are many avenues that will take you through Executive Assistant Land, but the main artery is the one called "Fake It and Smile". This will get you anywhere you want to go! It is located right next to the incandescent street called "When It's Not Your Fault, it is Indeed Your Fault". Taking these two roads will get you safely to the end of the day in Executive Assistant Land. Good luck!