When your boss resigns, should you go too?

The relationship between the Executive Assistant and CEO or Executive is close-knit and highly unique. If you find yourself in a position where the Executive you support leaves the company where you have been working together for any length of time,, this is the perfect time to stop and reflect on a crucial question - “Should you stay with the company, or look for a new job elsewhere?”

Time and time again, EAs in this situation have faced a pivotal point in their career where they need to make this decision. What I have learned from working with EAs over the last two decades, may be surprising yet beneficial to consider for your future career.

First of all, when your boss leaves, you have essentially lost your job, as you know it to be. As an EA, you are a loyal person to the role, the department, and the company, and want to believe your chair is indefinitely yours, without question or worry. You would assume your commitment to the company would be noticed and the new CEO will want your support indefinitely. You would like to believe there is no way the organization could live without your skill set. This is partially true.

As an EA, you have the can do anything attitude, and there is nothing or no one that can or will take it from you! You are an EA who can pull off any miracle no matter what. However, in my experience, the CEO/EA match is so unique, and remotely personal to the needs and compatibility of the two individuals. Thinking you will keep your job when the new CEO starts, is a huge risk. You are now sitting in what I refer to as, “Job Limbo.”

From my experience, there is about a 50/50 chance you will keep your current job. Because the EA/Executive relationship is such an essential and highly compatible alignment working relationship, leaning on personality fit, skills, loyalty, trust, and an overall sense of comfort, it is somewhat like matchmaking and very difficult to predict if the match would be successful if placed together. 

Here are some possible scenarios you would be faced with: 

Scenario 1: You keep your job, and it works out great!  

Scenario 2: You keep your job and are not being utilized as you once were

Scenario 3: You are moved to a different role in the company-maybe a promotion, demotion?

Scenario 4: You are packaged out of the company

Executives like to be in control of their decisions and often even bring their own EA with them. They could recruit someone new, or even, though rarely, choose to work without one! An executive will find the EA who is best suited for them. What this means is that you are in a holding period for them to assess and get comfortable in their new role, assess their team, and then assess your performance and compatibility against their needs and workstyle. 

You are providing the necessary administrative support they need to get them off to a good start during this onboarding time as they become acclimated to their new role. You are the data download of history and information. However, ultimately they are in control of your future.

Whatever happens, I want to stress, do not take it personally. If you are in a less than favorable situation if you choose to stay, or if you are asked to leave it is just the way it is. You are loyal and want it to work out, but as I always recommend, be in control of your career and your job by being 100% proactive. Get your resume ready, start networking, and see what is out there, early and often. 

In life, everything is temporary yet everything always works out in the end. The uncertainty is a certainty in life. Whether it is 1 or 10 years, job change is inevitable and it will happen. When that time comes, you will be prepared and ready to take on a new challenge, by having your resume prepared and your options open to future possibilities.

This might be the perfect time to stretch you professionally and move your career forward. So take full advantage of it and see what happens!

Do you have questions about interviewing, resumes, Executive Assistant or hiring in general you would like answered? Send them to info@steelerecruiting.com and we will add them to our future topics.