[O Recruiting]

So here's a question... i've got an exec who's convinced there are idle expat spouses out on the boards and forums who are dying to be employed as admins.

i.e., spouses = already authorized to work. expat = better english (for western expats), etc.

Is this really the case?

Are there bored expat wives (that's the assumption) who would like to be someone's exec admin doing calendars, and meetings, and secretarial tasks, and travel bookings, etc?

Please don't flame me too badly... there are a lot of assumptions in the above statement which I'm trying to verify... NOT that they are my personal opinions!

O

[freeier]

there are.
and if u allow them abit of time and location flexibility (e.g. part time, work from home, especially if they have kids) u might be swarmed with applicants.

[KnowItAll]

No one is dying to be employed in a boring and unchallenging job.

What you'll find is several spouses (husbands included) have left challenging careers to follow their other half, half way around the world. Don't think for a second a person who was handling several million dollars a year in marketing budgets would be say .. err .. be happy being the an admin for Mr Chan at Chan and Sons Trading company.

[PDLM]

I'd do it.

But I'd be looking for about HK$80,000/month + perqs

[jenifa]

I'm definitely going to want to work as I'll be bored stupid otherwise - and as tempting as a no brainer job sounds at the moment, I think I'd get really bored very quickly, and I would imagine other expat wives would be the same... KIA is right - I'm sure the majority of us came from good jobs and such a step backwards could be quite soul destroying.

Having said that, doing something mindless part time might not be so bad - particularly if you the subject matter was reasonably interesting. Especially, as freeier says, for people with childcare commitments.

Jen

[KnowItAll]

It is also cheaper to look for trainable talent within Hong Kong than hire someone who might walk in with a "but in UK this is not how things are done". Can be VERY problematic at admin levels if the person does not have the right attitude.

[mercury_element]

well, depends on person to person.
As of me, I might take the admin thing, till i get a good job.

[gushinggirl]

take it til you get something is altogether different than happy to take on that job.

people might apply for something like that, but it looks like even the first few replies indicate that no one would take it straight away and be happy.

i know i wouldn't survive 2 days as someone's PA.

[hullexile]

Originally Posted by gushinggirl

take it til you get something is altogether different than happy to take on that job.

people might apply for something like that, but it looks like even the first few replies indicate that no one would take it straight away and be happy.

i know i wouldn't survive 2 days as someone's PA.

Hey don't knock PA's - it all depends on the boss. Mine has never made me a coffee or the things people always say PAs do. Basically she does my job while I have a nice time - oops sorry I delegate responsibility to her. Bloody brilliant she is and handles everything she can. Has my signature on her PC so she can do signed letters from me. Was away for nearly a month and she ran the show quite happily. One day they will realise, sack me and give her the job

[sunniefaith]

Originally Posted by hullexile

Hey don't knock PA's - it all depends on the boss. Mine has never made me a coffee or the things people always say PAs do. Basically she does my job while I have a nice time - oops sorry I delegate responsibility to her. Bloody brilliant she is and handles everything she can. Has my signature on her PC so she can do signed letters from me. Was away for nearly a month and she ran the show quite happily. One day they will realise, sack me and give her the job

Haha...be careful...and be nice to her