Monique Helstrom

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Monique Helstrom Elevate Your Executive-Assistant Partnership

Knowing what you want to earn doesn’t make you greedy, difficult, or ungrateful.Know your number. Know your range. Know ...
10/22/2026

Knowing what you want to earn doesn’t make you greedy, difficult, or ungrateful.

Know your number. Know your range. Know your MINIMUM.
Get comfortable advocating for yourself, and know what you are and aren’t willing to compromise on.

Your employer knows what they want to pay. You should know what you want to earn.

And if the “What salary are you looking for?” question makes you sweat a little, I wrote an article about this one and three other interview questions every Assistant should be prepared to answer. Read it here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/4-interview-questions-every-assistant-should-prepared-helstrom-ph5sc

P.S. If you want even more encouragement on this topic, please check out Bonnie Low-Kramen. Her work has changed the face of assistant work, and there is NO better advocate for assistants—particularly women—knowing their worth than her.

10/21/2026

Candidates, I genuinely want your opinion on this one.

If I know early in an interview that you’re not the right fit for this particular executive, when would you rather I tell you?

A. Stop the interview and tell me right away.
B. Give it another 20–30 minutes, then tell me before we hang up.
C. Finish the interview normally and let me know afterward.

And no, “D. Ghost me” is not an option. I would NEVER do that to you. 💚

What would YOU prefer?

Sometimes you just need someone on the outside to remind you what you’re capable of—and give you a little nudge toward a...
10/20/2026

Sometimes you just need someone on the outside to remind you what you’re capable of—and give you a little nudge toward asking for more.

More confidence, more growth, a better opportunity, and career that actually reflects what you bring to the table.

Michael, thank you for trusting me to be that nudge. 💚

And if you’ve been doubting yourself, selling yourself short, or wondering if maybe you’re capable of more than you’ve been giving yourself credit for… let’s talk.

10/19/2026

Assistants: what may be "just another Tuesday" to you may actually be incredibly revealing to an interviewer.

In fact, if incidents that reveal your judgement, anticipation, problem-solving, resilience, discretion, influence, and trust have become so routine that you barely think twice about them, that doesn’t make them insignificant—it may actually be evidence of just how skilled you’ve become.

You don’t need a dramatic, once-in-a-career story to answer a “tell me about a time when…” question well.

It can be as simple as how you handled a last-minute reschedule, smoothed over tension in the office, caught a problem before it became a bigger one, or how you've protected your executive’s time; just something that shows how you think, how you respond, and how your work positively impacts the people around you.

Take yourself seriously. Tell your stories. What feels ordinary to you may be exactly what makes you exceptional at your job.



Read about the 10 Things I Don't Want to Hear in an Executive Assistant Interview here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-things-i-dont-want-hear-interview-executive-monique-helstrom-xjh0c/

Ladies, we need to talk.This EA—a male—reached out about a role with a salary range of $115K–$145K and asked if there wa...
10/18/2026

Ladies, we need to talk.

This EA—a male—reached out about a role with a salary range of $115K–$145K and asked if there was flexibility to go HIGHER.

And guess what? I'M GLAD HE DID.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking this question. This EA knows what he wants. He knows what his experience is worth. And rather than assuming the answer was no, he simply asked. And when I told him the answer WAS no, he said thank you kindly and went on his merry way. He didn't settle.

Meanwhile, I talk to incredibly qualified female EAs all the time who are nervous to negotiate WITHIN the posted range, let alone ask for more.

Ladies: PLEASE take notes. You are allowed to ask for what you want.

The answer might be no, but YOU get to decide what to do with that answer.

Moral of the story: please stop saying no to yourself before anyone else gets the chance to say yes.

Quick update on the remote Executive Assistant opportunity with Socha Capital that I shared just a few days ago:The comp...
10/16/2026

Quick update on the remote Executive Assistant opportunity with Socha Capital that I shared just a few days ago:

The company has changed its hiring direction, and the Executive Assistant position is no longer available.

I know many of you expressed interest, and I appreciate everyone who applied, shared the opportunity, or reached out to learn more. Thank you!

10/15/2026

You don’t have to pretend your last job was wonderful.

You can tell me it was toxic! Tell me how leadership failed you. Tell me why you left.
But then tell me what you learned, what you’re looking for now, and why you’re ready for what’s next.

Because every minute you spend talking about your old boss is a minute you’re NOT spending telling me why I should hire you.

Your old boss does not deserve 17 minutes that could be put toward your next opportunity.

10/13/2026

I know we live in a different day and age and I'm 100% okay with you interviewing on your phone. But at the end of the day, a job interview is still a professional setting no matter what device you're using.

Be present, be engaged, and PLEASE, for my sake, keep your camera stable. 🙏

PSA: The interview isn’t about proving every bullet point on your resume all over again.It’s where I’m looking for prepa...
10/12/2026

PSA: The interview isn’t about proving every bullet point on your resume all over again.

It’s where I’m looking for preparation, professionalism, self-awareness, communication, judgment, and how you show up as a human being.

Your resume got you in the room. Now show me the person I’d be recommending to an Executive.

Want to know what can quickly undermine that trust? I wrote an entire article about 10 things I DON’T want to hear in an Executive Assistant interview.

Read the full article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-things-i-dont-want-hear-interview-executive-monique-helstrom-xjh0c

If you’re interested in human behavior, resilience, serious composure under pressure, or why some people can endure extr...
10/09/2026

If you’re interested in human behavior, resilience, serious composure under pressure, or why some people can endure extraordinary circumstances while others unravel, The Attributes is absolutely worth reading.

Rich Diviney breaks down the difference between skills and attributes in a way that completely reframes how we evaluate performance, leadership, and even ourselves. And I completely agree.

Skills can be taught. Attributes are much more intrinsic. Grit. Adaptability. Drive. Situational awareness. Emotional strength.

And, I am lucky enough to call Rich a friend. I met him around 10 years ago when I worked with Simon Sinek and had opportunities to work alongside members of the Navy SEAL community. Talk about an elite human being. Calm, thoughtful, disciplined, deeply observant. Great dad. The kind of person who makes you immediately realize how much more there is to learn about human capability.

No theatrics. No ego. Just substance.

Which is exactly what this book feels like too.

Also check out his latest book, "Masters of Uncertainty: The Navy SEAL Way to Turn Stress into Success for You and Your Team"

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1447 Quince St, Denver, CO 80220, United States
Denver, CO
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