Do you need a rockstar EA available around the clock to help you manage your impossible workload and achieve your long-term goals? You may think that 24/7 availability is a good thing. However, serious problems can arise with an ‘always on’ assistant—work-life imbalance, a high risk of burnout, and poor performance. That’s why realistic expectations for hiring an executive assistant are essential.
With years of experience as a premier executive assistant staffing firm and a nationwide network of pre-vetted professionals, C-Suite Assistants can advise you on this critical 24/7 issue and other optimal hiring practices for EAs .
What Can Happen if Your EA Expectations Are Unrealistic?
If you expect your assistant to always be at your beck and call whenever you need them to discuss or handle something, these undesirable effects can occur:
- No Work-Life Boundary – If you contact your assistant at all hours, their private life may intrude. You won’t have their complete attention when discussing critical matters.
- Assistant Burnout – Running your EA ragged can cause burnout. If they’re overworked and tired, they won’t be able to perform at their optimal best.
- Poor Performance – Expecting too much can cause an EA’s performance to suffer. An inefficient, mistake-prone EA can negatively affect your business and your reputation.
If your EA quits, you’re back to square one. You’ll have to go through the entire hiring process again in a competitive environment to find and train someone new. Your old EA will bring their knowledge, expertise, and connections with them as they head out the door.
How do employers benefit by supporting work-life balance for their employees? They’ll have their EA’s undivided attention, and the assistant will be refreshed and less stressed out, making them more efficient at their job and able to handle complex, challenging tasks. They’re also far more likely to stay with the company and not jump ship for a better opportunity.
Expectation Setting with Employees
How can I set up realistic expectations when hiring? Your job description should be clear, including work hours, communication style, and on-call requirements. Interview questions should focus on work style preferences, availability, and how they handle urgent issues outside of work hours. During onboarding, set a clear agenda and discuss expectations, boundaries, and how to deal with emergencies.
Establish Set Work Hours
Agree to a set work schedule. Sometimes, the EA must handle something during “off hours,” but try to minimize this as much as possible. Prioritize quality work over quantity.
Determine After-Hours Protocols
Establish clear expectations regarding communication. Set specific guidelines on when to email, call, or text after hours, and clarify when the EA should check messages and respond.
Assess Needs and Abilities
Determine your requirements and consider your potential assistant’s capabilities so you can set realistic expectations. Find a balance between what you need and what you can expect.
Prioritize Open Communication
Prevent burnout through strategic planning and organization. Discuss the workload, priorities, and possible challenges regularly to prevent misunderstandings and ensure alignment.
Respect Your EA’s Personal Time
By respecting your EA’s sick leave, vacation days, and personal time off, you’ll earn their respect in return—and their loyalty.
Reward Your EA if They Need to Go Above and Beyond
Is your company’s growth fast and overwhelming? If you plan to unload a lot onto your new EA, communicate these expectations upfront and determine appropriate rewards for excellence.
Consider Hiring Two EAs
If you’re a workaholic who often works long hours, consider hiring two executive assistants to help share the workload and responsibilities. Consider having them work different schedules so you will always have coverage and they will always have some dedicated time off.
Finding the Perfect EA to Match Your Needs
At C-Suite Assistants, we use a rigorous process to ensure that the talent and company are a good match, and we help with finding individuals who can handle the work required.
C-Suite Assistants has extensive expertise in partnering with entrepreneurs, fast-growing companies, and HNW individuals to help them meet their objectives and boost their efficiency for sustainable success. We can advise you on setting realistic expectations for hiring an executive assistant.
Make the hiring process easier by partnering with our leading recruitment agency. Whether you’re looking for an executive or personal assistant, our high standards ensure we find the right candidate for your company. Get in touch with our executive assistant staffing professionals for more information.
