Not everything in life goes to plan
From approaching interviews like a date to having reached her career goals already , Claire Muir finds out all about Teena Zaccone-Vescio , EA at Commonwealth Bank in Sydney
Please tell us a little about your career journey so far . Just like this job , not everything in life goes to plan ! I started off my career in PR and helped run a speaker ’ s bureau for a sports and celebrity agency before I moved into being an EA . I have a sense of pride when I tell people what I do because we generally make the impossible things very possible . Being recognised as an integral part of a leadership team is a huge motivator in where I work and who I work for , and I often say that during the interview process – I tell them this is like a date ... If we don ’ t have a connection , we won ’ t have a good working relationship ! Luckily , I have been very blessed to have had managers who understand that EAs are instrumental in their own successes .
What training and development have you undertaken ? I have a bachelor ’ s degree and the rest was a case of learning on the job . Luckily , I work for an organisation that has a culture of development and there is a lot on offer both internally and externally .
What are your main responsibilities ? In addition to traditional admin tasks ( email , papers , scheduling meetings – and rescheduling meetings ! – travel , etc .) I sit on the leadership team and like to think that I am my manager ’ s strategic partner .
How have you been recognised formally e . g ., with an award ? Come to think of it … NO ! ( Note to self : copy of article to be shared amongst my team )! Humour aside , I do make a point of reminding our leadership team during our recognition item on our meeting agenda that they should always recognise at all levels of management , especially the EAs who can often go as unseen .
What is your ultimate career goal ? Currently as smug as it sounds , I have it . I am working for someone who respects and encourages me , and I am in a job where my work is important and that ’ s a true driver of my career path . If I wasn ’ t in this role , I would think about being a specialist recruiter for the administration sector .
Tell us about your workplace . I work for the Commonwealth Bank , Australia ’ s largest bank serving 17 million customers . The culture of the bank is what truly makes it a unique place to work . They are guided by their purpose – building a brighter future for all . When I speak to friends and family in relation to work principles , I consistently hear that everyone would like to work for a company with a commitment to making things better and I have that .
28 Executive PA | Winter Issue 2024