6 Simple Rules for Assistants With Big Ambitions
By Yael Kohen
Whether you’re a wanna-be Hollywood mogul or Wall Street kingpin, you’ll likely begin your career ascent at the lowest rung, where fetching coffee and answering phones are de rigueur. (Take heart, the long list of assistants-turned-zillionaires includes David Geffen, Simon Cowell and designer Derek Lam.) It takes a stand-out to parlay a lowly gig into career springboard, according to Hillary Stamm and Peter Norwalk, both one-time assistants who authored Hollywood Assistants Handbook: 86 Rules for Aspiring Power Players.
We highlight six of their essential rules that apply to up-and-comers in every industry:
Put Your Fantasy on Hold
work, career, job, assistants, hollywood, get ahead, promotion
red carpet and limo
You are young and have a lot to learn. Maybe you think you can win an Oscar next year because like I really believe in this script. Or maybe you dont think you have to worry about a little thing like a movies commercial viability
Oh, you little egomaniac, you.
Thicken Up That Skin
work, career, job, assistants, hollywood, get ahead, promotion
woman on phone at work
You may hate it when that agent from Endeavor thinks youll be more likely to have your boss return the call if he calls you babe over the phone, but its really not worth getting your panties in a bunch. Why? He could be the same guy who recommends you for the job at Scott Free (Ridley and Tony Scotts company
) As they say, sticks and stones will break your bones
The exception? Slut, No one is ever allowed to call you a slut.
Theres No Such Word as Cant
work, career, job, assistants, hollywood, get ahead, promotion
woman climbing stack of paper work
If your boss asks you to do something, never act like you dont know how. Pretends that its no problem, make a few frantic phone calls, and make the impossible possible. Only after all else fails do you get to tell the boss it cant happen.
Think Drink
work, career, job, assistants, hollywood, get ahead, promotion
two women at a bar laughing and drinking
Part of your new life in Hollywood is going out. Assistant mixers, one-on-one drinks, meet-and-greets
By the time Friday night rolls around you wont want to see the top of your bar stool ever again
But I hate making small talk! Too bad. In a business where who you know is more important that what you know, you will have to master it...Its called networking after all.
Make Them Show You the Money
work, career, job, assistants, hollywood, get ahead, promotion
floating money
If there is anything working in the Biz has taught us, its to ask for what you want
As an assistant, even when youve proven your competence, you might find it harder to ask for things. Stop it right now. If you dont get yourself noticed, no one will notice you. Its that simple
.Just dont, and we cant stress this enough, sit back and wait for the good karma to come your way. Make your own karma.
Build Bridges, Dont Torch Them
work, career, job, assistants, hollywood, get ahead, promotion
bridge over river
People are going to tick you off. Thats a given. Your boss is going to inspire thoughts of brutality and torture. Certain assistants will make your skin crawl. Even the interns are going to give you a case of the rage. Still, its the law of probability that some of the very people you hate will become wildly successful. If youre lucky, theyll forget why you didnt like each other and the two of you will partner up to make a movie that takes Cannes by storm.
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