• Home
  • Services
    • Resume Writing & Coaching
    • Courses and E-Books
    • Corporate & Group Services
    • Free Resources
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Blog
Hollywood Resumes
  • Home
  • Services
    • Resume Writing & Coaching
    • Courses and E-Books
    • Corporate & Group Services
    • Free Resources
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Blog

What's the difference between a good and a great Hollywood assistant?

1/25/2018

 
Picture
The key to moving up in Hollywood is to be a great assistant. Great assistants get recommended for higher-level jobs and often don’t even have to apply with a traditional resume and cover letter. But what does being a great assistant actually entail? Almost anyone can answer phones and schedule meetings, but there's a lot more you can put into the job if you want to reach that next level.

To be a great assistant, you need to go above and beyond for your boss and think two steps ahead of him at all times. For example, if your boss typically drinks a little too much while watching football on Sundays, make sure you never schedule a nonessential Monday morning meeting for him, even if that slot is theoretically “open.” If he must pitch a network on a Monday, remind him on Friday and again on Sunday morning, so he remembers to keep his hangover in check. Another example: If your boss calls every evening at 7pm asking to roll calls, make sure the call sheet is ready at 6:50 and finish all your other tasks beforehand -- make it clear that it’s not a surprise to you that it’s call-rolling time.

Even outside of phones and scheduling, there are ways to stand out. Be an information machine. Read the trades every day and send your boss clippings of relevant articles -- everything from competing shows getting picked up to good news about clients and contacts. If you see a name on the phone sheet regularly and learn that this person has landed a new job, make sure you tell your boss to send a congratulatory email. He may not have time to keep up with all the exec shuffles, and he’ll be glad you were looking out for his relationships. And it’s not just your boss who will be impressed by your berth of knowledge -- when you network with other assistants and coordinators, they’ll get a sense that you’re on the ball and might even recommend you for a position (and you’ll already have a head start on your interview research!).

Even though on the outside, it seems like being an assistant is as easy as picking up a phone, the truth is, being a great assistant takes a lot of finesse (and patience!). Hone your skills beyond the day-to-day tasks, and you’ll find doors opening for you as you advance in your career.

​

--Angela Silak & Cindy Kaplan


Comments are closed.

    Hollywood Resumes

    ​Welcome to our career tips blog!  To receive our updates via email, sign up for our weekly newsletter.  You'll also get access to exclusive discounts, offers, and resources! 

    Sign up now!

    Categories

    All
    ASK HR
    Assistant Life
    Bios
    Career Coaching
    Cover Letters
    Industry Spotlight
    Internships
    Job Applications
    Job Interviews
    Job Search Tips
    LinkedIn
    Networking
    Personal Statement
    Professional Development
    References
    Resume Help
    Salary
    Script Coverage
    Social Media
    Thank You Notes
    Work Life

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    RSS Feed

Sign up for our FREE weekly newsletter to receive career tips, discounts, and access to our resource library!
SUBSCRIBE
Photos used under Creative Commons from Jimmy Benson, 401(K) 2013, christiaan_008, televisione, Dai Lygad, MarkMoz12, Krists Luhaers, Nguyen Vu Hung (vuhung), Hollywood_PR, State Farm, Joe The Goat Farmer, HandsLive, Glyn Lowe Photoworks., thedailyenglishshow, dno1967b, flazingo_photos, jmrodri, cliff1066™, Joe The Goat Farmer, flazingo_photos, starmanseries, anitakhart, jimmiehomeschoolmom, Glyn Lowe Photoworks., hfb, gminguzzi, thedailyenglishshow, Visual Content, mkhmarketing, Peat Bakke, Visual Content, vlauria, flazingo_photos, flazingo_photos, cafecredit, StockMonkeys.com
  • Home
  • Services
    • Resume Writing & Coaching
    • Courses and E-Books
    • Corporate & Group Services
    • Free Resources
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Blog