Did you learn how to do everything from a previous first assistant?

Not really. Before I took the job, I knew other freelance assistants, but in Vancouver, no one really has a full-time assistant. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, or what the job involved. When I started working with Charlotte I started asking all of the freelance assistants so many questions. We had a few guys in New York that worked with Charlotte for six or seven years, so they would help me navigate the waters, and teach me different things about the industry.

What have you learned from your role?

I've learned so much from just being around Charlotte and in the industry. At the very beginning, I would get overwhelmed by a lot of things, so I always had to sneak away to just calm myself down and then come back to set. I've learned how to navigate those potential situations and get on top of problem-solving faster. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, so you always need to have backups for everything. Especially doing digital tech on set, your computer will decide to stop working for no reason at all, but you obviously have to keep shooting.

What would you say are the top traits that make a good assistant?

You have to be a hard worker and extremely organized because you're not just focusing on one job at a time; you're usually doing five to ten jobs, whether it's pre-production, shooting, or post-production. You're the one supporting your photographer, and they need to know everything that's going on. If they don't know, they'll ask you, and if you don't have the answer it can be unnerving. I would also say that you have to be dedicated to the job and the industry. If you don't have a passion for it, then you won’t have the drive to get through the workloads.

How would you describe what set etiquette is?

Being professional on set; there are always times when people are relaxing and you chat, but there are also times where it's a very stressful situation. So it’s knowing when to speak up and when not to speak up.

It also all depends on each photographer’s set. Charlotte is more relaxed than some other photographers that I've worked with, but some photographers get annoyed by crew conversations on set. You can usually tell right away what the vibe is on set, and if you don't know, ask the next assistant up from you. It's about respecting everyone else around you. Even if you're the “top” person on set, you should still respect the entire crew.

Some of the best interns we've had, they literally just stood there on their first day on set and waited for one of us to ask, “Hey, can you grab that? Can you move this?” Honestly, just observing and being ready when someone asks you to do something or trying to predict what someone’s going to need, is very helpful. Even if you feel like you're not doing much because you're standing around, you’re there and you're available and you're not sitting there looking at your phone.

As a first assistant, how do you manage your time and prioritize tasks?

When I first started, I felt terrified to ask questions. I was fully qualified for my job, but I still had this feeling inside of me that I didn’t quite know what I was doing. Since then, I've learned to talk to Charlotte and ask, “Okay, what absolutely needs to happen, and what can get pushed until later?”

We keep a list of all the current jobs that we have and I update it every day on the status of where each job is at. I also keep two other lists, one for the things I need to be doing immediately, and the second for all the side tasks that are not as important. Once I get a free minute or two, I can work on those side tasks for a little bit, then go back to the more important things.

I feel like that's almost easier said than done though, no?

Yes, completely. I work on it every day and sometimes I'm better at it than others. But still, some things always slip through the cracks. We also have Charlotte’s agency, Mini Title, helping us. So if I can't do something I'll ask, “Hey guys, can you help me out with this?” We also work closely with the same post-production houses most of the time, so they’ll also email me asking, “Hey, I haven't heard back from you about this email.” And I’m like, “Oh whoops. Still, have to do that.” Being a team player and having good support networks is key -- we all need to work together.

When you first started at Vogue, you were the freelance jewelry market assistant, how do you think you made yourself stand out?

I think it was just my willingness to learn and eagerness to want to grow in the company and that's what they recognized. Every time I was given a task, I just wanted to do it well and see what else I could do.

What makes a good assistant?

I think it's getting to know your boss and trying to not just keep it on a boss/assistant relationship, where it’s very cut and dry. You want to get to know them as a person and understand what they like and don't like and what they react well to. Then, you can really be the best assistant possible.

Also, listen to everything that they say and just continue to learn from them. Don't shoot anything down that's said to you, keep open ears.

Like taking critique well, in a way?

Yeah. I'm always asking, "How can I improve?" Even to my colleagues that I work with, I'll ask, "How can I help you?" because at the end of the day I want to only positively impact the magazine and have a part in making it even more amazing than it already is. I'll ask anyone, from the freelancers to the highest senior editor that I work with. I think it's very important to understand what you're doing well in your job and also what you may be lacking.

For sure, it only makes you better.

Yeah, because then you can build from it. I know, criticism is really hard to take, especially if you're not necessarily expecting it and it's just sprung on you. I've learned from my friends and my parents to listen, take it in, learn from it, and improve from it, so that it never happens again and that's the last time that they talk to you about it.

Exactly.

It's also all about knowing the specifics of their own likes and dislikes, too. My boss in the past loved if I texted them, but that doesn’t mean I can necessarily do this with another boss.

Yeah, this is the most learn on the go industry ever.

Honestly, that’s how I would describe it. I am so lucky to work in an environment where I am surrounded by young talent as well as the more seasoned editors; there’s so much to learn.

What do you think makes a great intern or assistant?

Someone who has a positive attitude and is willing to work hard and ask questions, but at the right time. It’s important to be proactive and troubleshoot instead of just waiting for someone to tell you what to do next. Someone that's just willing to learn at the end of the day. I think if you have that attitude, then you're going to absorb as much information as you can whether you stay with the company or not. You become a more attractive employee in general.

What makes a good intern or assistant?

Being proactive and reliable but beyond that, I'm always impressed by people who aren't intimidated by the fact that they're in a junior position. Having the confidence to contribute and not feel held back is a strong trait to have.

How do you think you were able to stand out as an intern at Elizabeth?

It all just comes down to working really hard which sounds really simple, but I would always try to go the extra mile. It's definitely not a 9 to 5 job, with regular hours or regular tasks, so you have to learn how to be super flexible. Also, it’s important to always be thinking of new ideas and ways that you can contribute. I think if you’re always as helpful as possible then that will make you stand out. I was always putting 110% into that internship, and I think that is how I got to where I am now.

What does it mean to be a good assistant?

Work hard, don’t complain, and be up for doing whatever needs to be done. Elizabeth has been in Fiji this past week for a job, and that’s an 18-hour time difference. So if I have to respond to texts at 3 AM you just gotta do what you gotta do.

Is there a specific trait that makes an intern standout?

Definitely. For example, when I interviewed Noor, I knew right away that she would be amazing.

She's so cute. We're obsessed with her, and you could tell from the beginning that she’s in love with the industry and she also has great experience. She worked with Patti Wilson before so she knew what this position would entail, she said all of the right things, she researched Elizabeth, etc.

It’s about showing that you’re passionate about what you're applying for because interviewers know that translates into working hard. Noor works really hard and will do whatever task is needed, which are sometimes crazy because that’s the industry that we’re in.

It’s not always the most fun, and definitely not glamorous, but you need people on your team who are willing to take it head on. Although it looks glamorous on the outside, we have to do anything and everything. So having a good attitude and doing whatever is asked of you is what’s most important.

I also want the interns to contribute a lot. Interns are not there to just run errands. I want their input, I want their help, and I want their opinions. So someone who has a really strong sense of style that's their own is definitely an asset. If you can contribute a cool new brand that you found on Instagram, please do.

And another thing, having someone who you get along with and who’s fun to be around in the office is super important too.

How did you make yourself stand out at Eyesight?

I just worked hard. I don't know any other way of being besides working hard and seeing everything through to the very end, all while focusing on every detail. So from intern to assistant to where I am now, that's what I've done every day. That's really all it takes, is just hard work and smart work. Marie and Thierry also believe in sharing and meritocracy which is very rare.

What does it mean to be a strong assistant?

Hard work, problem-solving, learning and listening, listening, listening, and asking questions. However, if you can easily google it, don’t ask it. So proactivity and figuring things out on your own is important and surprisingly lacking today. I think people are more dependent now. Working hard means getting your hands dirty and figuring things out on your own. I think that's becoming less and less evident in younger generations.

Which is evident for whenever I have to look for interns, it often becomes a very long, tedious process because it's hard to find good help and passionate help too, you know. It’s not enough to say, "Oh I want to work in fashion.” I like someone whose energy, dedication and an overall excitement for what we’re doing can be felt.

Has there ever been an intern that stood out to you?

I had this one intern, Katherine, for almost six months. I could always rely on her. She always packed things up neatly. She always got things back to where they were supposed to be. She never lost things. You have to be so organized, and smart, and know how to get everywhere in London. Just being on top of it.

How did you make yourself stand out at AnOther Magazine?

I’m a perfectionist, and I always presented myself in a professional manner. Which is really important as an intern if you want to go on set, because there are some interns who you just think, "I'm not bringing them on set because they might do something crazy." I love interesting characters, but when you’re an intern on set you need to be very professional.

What does it mean to be a good assistant?

Be organized, professional, and friendly. Take initiative. Make sure you have your shit together so that your boss can do all the crazy things that they have to do.

How did you make yourself stand out at CR as an intern?

It's weird because I had a lot of experience before I interned at CR. I was being paid to assist people on sets, so I was already working professionally in the industry. I was just here because I loved the magazine so much and believed in what the magazine stood for and I admired Carine. I think that showed a lot. My experience showed and my knowledge of who Carine is and what her aesthetic is, really showed. Also, I'm really fast. It's kind of a joke to Ben when I have a thousand things to do; I'm really good at getting them done. When I have one thing to do for the day I'm so slow at getting it done because I love being busy. Also back then there was no market team. We had 4 less employees, so it was all hands on deck. Everyone had to help pack. I'd be here until 11:00 pm sometimes. I'd skip class. Not that you should skip class but I did to help and be on set and be a part of it, and people noticed that. Especially Ben and he really appreciated it. He always kept me in mind. I guess that's kind of how I stood out because I was just always so available and always so willing to be helpful.