My Next Job Tangentially In Entertainment – Part 3 (It Was Bumpy)

May 21, 2016

Picking up from last time –

What I’d learned was that my position had just been created. Apparently, they were just trying it out. (I kinda wish someone would’ve told me that before I’d signed my year-long lease…)

I guess both executives used to share one assistant. Then the thought was that they each should have one. But once they each got one, they realized there was very little for me to do.

I try to be a pretty proactive person. I looked for things to do. When I couldn’t find any on my own, I asked my boss, asked the other assistant, then asked other random people in the office if anyone needed help with anything. Every time I asked, everyone said no.

I’d ask for little projects, and I did get to do some small things (such as clean up the supply room). But apparently there were only so many little projects. When I specifically asked for projects or things to do to help, no one could think of anything.

On my first PA job, I learned the importance of being able to quietly not work. I know that sounds weird and counter-intuitive (and I may have even mentioned it before). But sometimes there just isn’t anything left to do.

If you’ve made it known you are there to work, happy to work, and looking for work… yet no one has anything for you; be quiet and keep your head down. People love go-getters and helpful people. But they also don’t like being pestered every 5 minutes when they have nothing for you.

So, I took that lesson and sat at my desk. I looked around for options of what I’d do with my weekends and evenings in Los Angeles – classes, and even military reserve programs. (I wasn’t eligible for any of them, as not enough time had passed since open-heart surgery (and I didn’t meet the weight requirements [*embarrassing*]).)

Oh well. Moving on… This is where we’ll pick up next time.

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