In the my first two weeks of working in India, I quickly realized that I need an assistant. There are so many trivial details to manage - like making travel arrangements, managing calendars & meetings, ensuring lunch arrives on time and the list goes on and on. The list of details to be managed are mind blowing - so I decided to get me an assistant. But the person that I am looking for is far more than an assistant - it is really a Mini Me. Since, Internet is sporadic - I would like that person to be able to handle my email and in a crunch jump in and solve an excel or powerpoint crisis. To much to ask for - let's see. Today, I start interviewing candidates.
The candidates that I am interviewing have served as Executive Assistants to other CEO's. Couple of issues from the get go - 1) comfort with the English language 2) travel times to the office and 3) flexibility in schedule.
Firstly, let's say I am very dissapointed. The quality of talent at the lower-end of the totem pole is dismal. But to be fair - most of them are used to being Secretaries not Executive Assistants. I found that they are really lacking in soft skills and interviewing. One person even called me HONEY .. boy .. I thought that was really bold. Thank God that it was a woman - otherwise I would have really taken offense.
I was awestruck by the amount of time that it would take for any of the candidates to reach the office. The three I met today ranged between 1.5 hours to 2 hours. That would entail 4 hours of travel every day. And when I asked would they be comfortable with this, they all replied "No problem, maam, we are used to this."
Secondly, hiring a female is tough. I know, I know that you are thinking that I am being unneccessarily harsh - but my problem is that my schedule is erratic and so are the hours of the job. I don't want to worry about the safety of someone trying to get home after 8:00 pm or so. This will limit the talent pool available to me.
But tomorrow is another day .. let's see what happens then.
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I hadn't realized the dramatic differences in hiring a male vs female in India. Amazing and somewhat sad as equality can't happen under these conditions.
BTW: I was chatting with a professional friend who calls me (all women) darling and sweetheart-- but come to find out it is how the South (USA) is brought up to RESPECT women. So in some cases, it is hard to be upset with someone who believes this is something to do to honor and respect women. I'm still not sure I like it, but I now understand it! I like that those words are saved for only that special one person in your life. I'm a hopeless romantic at heart I guess. Cheers from your OTHER homeland, Rohini
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