Classified

[Atlanta Z3]

I'm beginning to think I'm getting old!  I have interviewed with some high level companies in Atlanta and for what ever reason not been the choosen one.  However it seems every two years or so I see the same companies looking for a new admin to the CEO of the company.  I know admins change positions, but it surprises me to see the same companies with a revolving admin door.  These companies have very nice offices, good benefits and outstanding pay scales.  It really makes me wonder what the reasons are for the short term duration.  Are the CEOs leaving the companies prompting new admins?  Are the CEOs just not selecting the best fit candidates?  Did I dodge a bullet not being selected?!
Thoughts.

[msmarieh]

Personally when I see that happen, I'm inclined to think the CEO is probably a bear to work for.

[gee4]

Agreed.  Anything less than 2 years and employers being to ask questions.

Some PAs I worked with had previous jobs with horrendous CEOs - the ones that are a nightmare are usually those who own and run their own company.

Two females I know of worked for the same CEO - one was hired as a PA the other as a laywer.  With the lawyer's job came an apartment in London.  She stuck the job less than a few months because she couldn't work/agree with his decisions and he couldn't take legal advice.

The PA lasted longer but was able to gain experience and move on when it suited her.

[JessW]

Her here.  For me, alarm bells would be ringing at such a high turnover in administrative staff - something definitely not right there!  The other possible reason is that the working conditions are not conducive to a career admin, or they are specifically not looking for a career admin!

[peaches2160]

Could it be they have a high turnover in CEOs?  Alarm bells are ringing, something not right there.

[Katie G]

Another tendency I've seen is that employers don't put much effort into finding the right person for the job.  Sadly, although it's gotten better, there's still some vestiges of the old "a trained monkey could do that job" thinking out there.  So they don't put the effort into making sure the hire is the right fit. 

I've also seen it happen where an admin leaves a position and no move is made to fill the position until people are running around screaming, "Just get someone!  Anyone!"  When you consider that companies can do months-long searches for a new CEO, admins can be on the other end of the spectrum - where any warm body will do.....until it doesn't "do" anymore.

And yes, it's a red flag.  A big one.