Ask HN: I’d like to hire a personal/executive assistant – any tips or advice?

Post by rewgs » Thu, Nov 25, 2021, 7:11 PM UTC

robocat wrote: post #210

rewgs wrote: post #208

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure. It's actually a little sad, heh, but more on that in a second. I followed the route that many composers take: working for other composers. First as kind of a general assistant, then doing the boring tasks required to make the process happen, then managing the rigs, then doing production work but not writing, then orchestrating and/or "filling in the gaps" in some cues, then finally writing. I've kind of done it…

> doing things like automating certain workflows where possible, building some custom tools, etc. The goal is to slowly transition to working as a programmer at Steinberg or Ableton or something like that, and then start my own company. I presume you’ve contacted tantacrul[1] who is now working[2] redesigning Audacity, with a hilarious video on the hellscape of a UI that is Sibelius[3]. I am guessing becoming a UI de…

Post by ivan_gammel » Thu, Nov 25, 2021, 7:46 PM UTC

yc-kraln wrote: post #166

ivan_gammel wrote: post #163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Calendly is a much cheaper option. Managing my calendar would be the last thing I delegate to PA.

I find calendly depersonalizing and extremely insulting. I.e. the shift of power when someone says "Hey, let's find a time to chat" and the answer is "Here is my calendly link, good luck". I usually break off the conversation there.

Post by xenihn » Thu, Nov 25, 2021, 8:16 PM UTC

jwr wrote: post #167

rewgs wrote: post #138

Throughout my 20s (in my 30s now) I worked as a film composer in Hollywood, land of personal assistants. One thing I took to heart was that the best personal assistants weren't looking to use the opportunity get elsewhere. What you want is someone who wants to stay in that role, because as a lot of other comments here point out, it takes a lot of time for the person to learn enough about you to become truly useful ra…

Ah, based on my experiences with assistants, that is exactly the problem. You either get someone who is under-qualified and does not fulfill expectations, or someone who is great, but wants to pursue a career. It is extremely difficult to find a "stable" assistant.

Post by rewgs » Thu, Nov 25, 2021, 11:03 PM UTC

onion2k wrote: post #216

rewgs wrote: post #208

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure. It's actually a little sad, heh, but more on that in a second. I followed the route that many composers take: working for other composers. First as kind of a general assistant, then doing the boring tasks required to make the process happen, then managing the rigs, then doing production work but not writing, then orchestrating and/or "filling in the gaps" in some cues, then finally writing. I've kind of done it…

That's an interesting story. Thanks for sharing. Good luck in your future endeavors.

Post by mmaunder » Fri, Nov 26, 2021, 3:00 AM UTC

eyelidlessness wrote: post #205

denkmoon wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You've made two posts negging this idea without providing any actual rationale whatsoever.

Oh, I thought it was obvious I consider it unethical… administrative/HR roles in particular shouldn’t be [potentially] biased by split responsibilities to a specific individual.