Interviews often feature familiar questions like "Tell me about yourself" and "Where do you see yourself in five years?" but sometimes, you’ll encounter unexpected questions that challenge your thinking and reveal deeper insights into your personality and problem-solving abilities. In this post, we’ve gathered 15 unconventional interview questions designed to keep you on your toes and showcase how you handle the unexpected. Prepare to explore questions that go beyond the typical script and offer a unique opportunity to demonstrate your adaptability and outlook on life.

Onboarding new employees should go beyond administrative tasks—it's about fostering a welcoming and supportive environment that empowers them to contribute effectively from day one. A thoughtful onboarding process sets the foundation for long-term success, significantly influencing a new hire's productivity, satisfaction, and commitment to the organization. To avoid overwhelming new employees, focus on creating a structured yet positive experience that ensures they feel valued and prepared.

In the dynamic world of executive support, the relationship between an Executive Assistant and their executive is both unique and complex. It’s a partnership built on trust, understanding, and seamless communication. However, when things go awry, it’s not always easy to pinpoint the root cause. Is it a case of bad hiring or bad management? More often than not, the answer lies in the latter. Effectively managing an otherwise great Executive Assistant requires a commitment to their growth and success, investing not just in their role but in their development as a key player in the executive team.

Starting a side hustle can be an exciting journey filled with new opportunities. Whether you aim to earn extra income, pursue a passion, or transform a hobby into a business, promoting your side hustle is essential to achieving success. Fortunately, you don't need a marketing background to get started. By using creative and effective strategies, you can easily spread the word and build a client base. In this post, we’ll share fresh insights and actionable tips to help you market your business like a pro.

In a world where demands on our time are constant, mastering productivity is essential for achieving meaningful progress without burning out. Productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about focusing on what truly matters and using your time wisely. As philosopher William James noted, "The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it." This post presents 15 research-backed strategies to help you maximize your day, whether you’re a seasoned professional or looking to fine-tune your approach, ensuring your efforts leave a lasting impact.

A sharp memory, enhanced brain power, and increased productivity are essential tools for excelling in both personal and professional spheres. In a world overflowing with information and short on time, optimizing cognitive abilities can be the key to thriving, not just surviving. While the brain's capacity for information is vast, many struggle with memory lapses and mental fatigue. The good news? Simple, effective techniques can unlock your mind's full potential. In this blog, we explore eight practical strategies to help you boost memory, sharpen focus, and increase productivity, allowing you to tap into the remarkable power of your brain daily.

In today's fast-paced digital world, Executive Assistants are becoming strategic partners, playing a crucial role in their leaders' success. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), assistants can now enhance their workflows, increase productivity, and elevate the level of support they provide. AI is transforming the role of assistants, making it an essential tool for maximizing impact. This guide offers practical insights on how Executive Assistants can effectively integrate AI tools into their daily routines, helping them thrive in their evolving responsibilities.

The role of the Executive Assistant has always been one of agility, foresight, and relentless dedication to keeping an executive’s professional life running smoothly. With the rise of technology and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), this crucial position is evolving in exciting ways. Are we under threat? We get asked this question in various forms at least once a week. What’s going to happen to the role of EAs? We see it differently. We believe EAs are not just gatekeepers, time managers, and logistics wranglers; they are becoming strategic partners, thought partners, and curators. Leveraging AI will enhance EAs' efficiency, productivity, and overall effectiveness. But is the role disappearing? Absolutely not, especially at a high level. While some tasks like long-form writing and calendaring may become more hands-off, EAs will continue to be the curators, gatekeepers, sounding boards, and central hubs of their executive’s life. The essence of the EA role is here to stay, evolving with technology to become even more integral to executive success.

In "How to be a Good Manager to an Executive Assistant," we explore the essential dynamics of the executive-assistant relationship and how it can significantly affect the success of a business. It’s crucial for executives to recognize the profound influence their behaviors and preferences have on their assistants, not just professionally but personally. This piece delves into strategies for cultivating a supportive work atmosphere that values the assistant's contributions, fosters open and respectful communication, and provides continuous opportunities for professional development. By prioritizing these practices, executives can ensure a stable, productive partnership with their assistants, which is pivotal for long-term operational success and a harmonious work environment.

When we say "I don't have time," we're often unconsciously stating that something is not a priority. This phrase, a common refrain in the rush of daily life, masks our true intentions and priorities. Recognizing this can be transformative. By shifting our language to "It's not a priority," we take ownership of our choices, acknowledging that time is a matter of selection and prioritization. This subtle change in phrasing not only clarifies our true commitments but also empowers us to manage our time more intentionally. As we begin to align our activities with our values, we transform from being passive participants in our schedules to active designers of our lives, making every moment count towards what truly matters to us.

As the warmth of spring blooms around us, anticipation for the adventures of summer grows. With its promise of travel, gatherings, and outdoor escapades, summer beckons us to embrace joy and connection. Yet, amidst the excitement, the juggling act of managing work, family, and personal aspirations can feel overwhelming. Fear not! We've crafted a 5-step guide to navigate the complexities of summer seamlessly, ensuring you savor every moment and create memories to cherish for a lifetime.

The importance of writing well cannot be overstated, especially in a professional context in which communication occurs at lightning speed. Whether you're writing an email, a report, or even during an interview, being able to write effectively is crucial. Let's explore why punctuation, grammar, spelling, and succinctness are essential elements that help professionals present themselves in a professional manner.

Getting ahead in today's world requires being efficient and productive. That said, true success lies not only in being efficient at work, but also in finding joy and fulfillment in other areas of life. In this blog post, we explore strategies and insights on how to be productive, efficient, and effective both in and out of the office. We will discuss how to decompress, manage stress, and maintain relationships, health, and wellness while maximizing productivity and enjoyment.

It takes time, energy and thoughtfulness to achieve productivity and enjoyment in most aspects of life. You can create a foundation between work and life by cultivating a productive mindset, optimizing your workspace, managing time effectively, decompressing, and nurturing relationships, health, and wellness. Productivity is not only about accomplishing tasks but about living a fulfilling life - both personally and professionally. You'll be amazed at how powerful these strategies can be when you embrace them, adapt them to your circumstances, and experience their transformative power in your daily life!

"The morning sun always sets my soul on fire," said Terri Guillemets, perfectly capturing the essence of mornings. The way we start our day often sets the tone for the hours ahead. When we incorporate powerful rituals into our morning routine, we can ignite the flame of productivity, positivity, and purpose in our lives. This blog post will discuss five morning rituals that will boost your mood, so you can set yourself up for success throughout the day.

Topics: Morning routine. Productivity. Habit. Goal. Success. Good Habits. Getting your day started.

Do you ever feel like you wish you could turn back time so you could avoid making a mistake or having a mishap? It has happened to all of us at some point in our lives. But what if there was a way to use the concept of hindsight to prevent problems from ever occurring in the first place? The idea of prospective hindsight comes into play here - an extremely valuable tool that we can use to make smarter decisions and lead a smoother life with the benefit of hindsight.

We live in a fast-paced world today where domestic staff such as nannies, personal assistants, cleaners, and other support staff (both part-time and full-time) play a crucial role in helping us maintain a balance in our day-to-day lives. The importance of paying your domestic staff over-the-table must be recognized as part of your responsibilities as an employer, as it is crucial for your business to comply with legal and ethical standards. This article will discuss the advantages of this practice and provide tips on how to go about it, such as starting an LLC and consulting with a tax professional regarding how to go about it.

Zoom interviews have become a ubiquitous part of our professional lives, making it crucial to know the do's and don'ts to ensure a successful meeting. While there are plenty of tips for what to do during a Zoom interview, it's equally important to be aware of what you should never do. You’d be surprised by the things that happen in Zoom interviews!

You've polished your resume, thought you aced the initial interview, and left a lasting impression on the hiring manager. But….. When the inbox remains empty from that recruiter, and that anticipated ping for a second interview never comes, it can be disheartening and leave you wondering where you went wrong. While it's natural to feel frustrated, it's essential to reflect on your interview performance and identify areas for improvement. In this post, we'll explore the top 16 reasons why you may not have been called back for a second interview, helping you understand what you can do differently to increase your chances of landing the job. We focus on roles for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Chiefs of Staff, EA Managers, House Managers and other support roles - however - this post is applicable to every job seeker! Learn more.