Now Hiring: Office Manager/Admin++
October 12th, 2009 by Jeremy
Stage Two Consulting, a self-proclaimed top-notch marketing agency in San Francisco, is in need of a diamond in the rough to join our team as a combination office manager/admin and double-junior-level marketing associate. The job will be roughly a 60/40 split between office-related tasks and some hands-on entry level marketing work. This is a great position for someone new to the job market who is organized and detail-oriented and capable of helping make a small office run better, and at the same time is interested in learning about marketing.
Qualifications:
- Fast learner: you need to be able to take direction on something once, then repeat it again ever after
- Self starter: some projects will be “high level” – we’re counting on you to figure out some of the details
- Organized: you must be able to juggle many simultaneous projects, without letting a ball drop at any time
- Communicator: you should be able to talk to us, our clients, our guests, our friends, our family, strangers walking down the street, people on the bus, etc
- Detail-oriented: seriously, the little things are the ones that do matter & we care a lot about them.
Brownie points to gamers, bloggers, pop culture geeks (extra credit given for the subtle use of Arrested Development quotes)
Responsibilities:
- Organizing lots of things – we have tons of documents (digital, not the paper stuff) that need to be better organized
- Research – whether it’s poring through research reports or lots of Googling, we’ll need you to be able to find things out on the Internets
- Basic typical office stuff – filing, copying, answering the phone, operating the coffee grinder, playing lead vocals on Rock Band, etc
- Attend events – whether its our own clients or just industry events, you will be expected to attend some industry/networking activities (these typically occur in the evening, no travel will be required)
Details:
- Full-time job based in our office
- Compensation is $22-$28K plus benefits (possibly higher if you can make the case for it!)
Our office is in the amazing Jackson Square district of San Francisco. We are close to several MUNI stops, great restaurants/bars, and fine entertainment establishments. If you’re interested, email us (yes, you’ll want to edit that email address):
- a link to an online resume (or Word doc if needed)
- a short bio
- why you think this is a perfect fit for you (we recommend you do not send us the same cover letter you use everywhere else)
- which of our clients excites you the most, and why
Any emails without all of the above will be ignored, and probably marked as spam. Feel free to let us know if you have any questions. Otherwise, we look forward to hearing from you. If you read nothing else (you won’t get the job, but…) be sure to at least read this and this.
PLEASE NOTE: We are now in the process of screening applicants, and will no longer be accepting new resumes (though we may have some internships open in the late Fall if you’d like to get in touch for that). Thank you for your interest!
October 12th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Really 22K-28K in San Francisco? Isn’t SF like one of the most expensive cities in the nation? That’s less than what you would make working at In-and-Out.
I know the recession is kicking everyone’s butt, but taking advantage of this economic meltdown is straight-up wrong.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:20 am
@James – I went to craigslist (SF bay) and compared salaries for office manager positions. The average was paying $10-$16 per hour, with no benefits, and no full-time employment. I felt our offer was directly in line salary-wise PLUS includes benefits.
Link to craigslist postings: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/ofc/
Also, if someone can make the case for a higher base salary, we’re open to it.
BTW – something tells me our work environment is slightly more compelling than the in-and-out…
October 12th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
My wife was actually doing a job search this morning and brought this to my attention. I thought I might add a point here.
For starters, the kind of person you seem to be looking for compared to In-and-Out is a person with a little more social capital and slightly more educated and that’s where the 22k-28k in SF becomes a slap in the face.
To inject some reality here, do you really think your going to get the person you depict for this amount of money? Secondly if a person does take you up on this offer for how long are they going to continue being that person making that kind of money? It’s great though that they will be able to see all those fantastic businesses you are surrounded by on their way home to a dingy apartment somewhere in the bowels of SF.
BTW – In this light your work environment for a person with the requested social capital is no better than In-and-Out in the long run or a frozen banana stand.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I believe according to salary.com the low on the bell shaped curve is about 47K Jeremy.
http://bit.ly/m7hX9
There is a saying, “You get what you pay for.”
October 12th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
@James – this is a junior level position at a sub-10-person organization – the salary.com numbers don’t line up for that, at all. I maintain the craigslist standards are more apropos.
@George Michael – what social capital are we looking for in this post? “fast learner”? “organized”? come on! also, regarding the salary – if the candidate shows they can grow into a more senior position, say Mr Manager, then we’ll be happy to grow the role and the salary along with them. after all, there’s always money in the banana stand.
Overall I’m getting a lot of resumes in my inbox (literally dozens since we’ve posted), many of them seem very eager and capable of getting the job. i’m not sure about your backgrounds, but there are a lot of people graduating school without a surefire path into any big career. this is a great role for someone new to the workforce, who could use some real-world training, experience, and exposure to the field of marketing.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
people are desperate and you are just juicing it for what it’s worth.
Here is the appropriate AD quote for you:
“COME ON!”
October 12th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
@james I already used the “come on” bit!!
October 12th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
i’ve never worked at in n’ out, but i imagine this job would be somewhat further up my alley.
i read your craigslist post and would actually LOVE to get the job, although i would definitely need to get my case together for a higher base salary. i am relocating to SF from LA next month and would definitely need to be making more than i am now to not have to survive on ramen noodles every night.
is there a max salary amount for this position?
britt
October 12th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Sorry I misjudged your post. You must be seeking a homeless troglodyte with a passion for meaningless tasks, GED in hand. Because if I was a “gamer” i wouldn’t be able to buy a single game making that kind of money after paying my bills, nor could i ever go to the cinema or afford cable television. Lets not even start with if I had student loans. Id also unfortunately have to wear a pair of over-sized TJ Maxx slacks and a used mustard stained Calvin Klein dress shirt I scored at Good Will to your nightly events.
Glad to hear though there is no shortage of sorry souls you can cherry pick from. That justifies all the more what kind of life you live if you make that kind of money in SF. In the end though they might get promoted and be allowed to progress up the ladder and reach for the stars so its all worth it.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I’m interested in this job! I’ve worked at El Pollo Loco Chicken and believe it or not at In-N-Out. Will I get tuition reimbursement and life insurance at Stage Two, because they offered it here at In-N-Out. http://www.in-n-out.com/mgr_benefits.asp
This is perrfect! I’ll make sure I’m a super duper fast learner so I won’t make a single mistake. But you’ll have to speak loudly because I am partially deaf in my left ear from those days working at the drive-thru. Those kids screamed at my ear, and golly gawd the walkie-talkie would always get caught on my hair net. By the way, how do i make actual copies if they are digital? I don’t get it.
22-28K is really enough for me, since I live in the tenderloin and I love seeing those rich people walk by downtown. I can’t wait to be trained at Stage TOW, I’m used to getting 6 months training/goofing around at the drive in. my favorite client of yours is Boxee because i love streaming free animal porn. That’s high-enough-level thinking, isn’t it?
October 12th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Reddit brought me here. James is a business man and the value for talent right now is on sale. He’ll adjust when he needs to, but why would he pay more than the market rate? (he’s getting resumes, so the price is right for someone out there)
Do you guys get mad when there is a sale in a store? I know the recession sucks, but there is no reason to attack a small business owner who is just looking for more man power.
Picture angry real estate agents who insist that property values are still at 2007 levels and refuse to lower the price to meet today’s reality.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
“How much could an office manager cost? Ten dollars?”
October 12th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Wow. Could it be possible that there are people out there looking to get a foot in the door and would be willing to work hard and see this as an opportunity? No one is “taking advantage” of anyone here – people need not apply if they are not interested, feel overqualified or that the job is for some reason, beneath them!
Why be hating on Jeremy and the fact that he actually can back up his statement with research, and the reality that if no one applies for the job, he can simply change the job description and/or salary offered?
Jeremy, glad to hear that you are hiring and I happen to think that a job WITH BENEFITS is a great thing to have created in these market conditions.
I wish that, for my small business, we could offer benefits to our employees. It has become prohibitively expensive and we’ve found it cheaper to offer a stipend since they are healthy enough to qualify for their own individual health care.
Good luck with the search. And remember, never hire Tobias Funke.
Lou
October 12th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Thanks Lou!
October 12th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Jeremy, I couldn’t agree with Mr. Jacob more. I just submitted my resume, I’m in the city, and I’m ready to work yesterday (that’s right, Sunday). If you are the author of the linked article (Mr. Toeman, I presume?) it was incredibly educational. It was worth clicking on Stage Two just for that. Please contact me via email if you get a chance.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
I agree in that, SF is such a dynamic town… I’d rather have a great job I loved, with benefits, awesome clients in a great space, and to be able to walk hom to a tiny, but manageable tenderloin flat. I embrace SF for all its aspects, from the DG suits passing me on my way to work, to the guy need .50 for a cup of coffee(or a beer). So to all of you complaining that “its not a good enough salary”, go elsewhere. no one is forcing you to apply. =)
October 13th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
@Maeby – haven’t taken a vacation in 2 years, but thanks for the accusation.
At this point, I feel I have no choice but to block comments from you or “George Michael” as long as you continue to act in this manner under the guise of anonymity. You aren’t being engaging, you are simply attacking without having any knowledge of my firm or anything else – there’s a big difference between open debate/discussion and being derisive and hateful. Own up to your comments and we can continue the discussion.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
@Maeby No, I do not. I let prospective employees know that we do not offer health care and that I can give them a stipend towards the purchase of health care. I’m appreciative of the fact that my employees are young and healthy and are able to purchase health care and/or have the opportunity to be on a group plan with their spouses.
I am also acutely aware of issues like this – my wife is young (40) and UNHEALTHY. She is un-insurable with type 1 diabetes and recently recovered from a kidney transplant.
That is why I applaud Jeremy for offering a position where benefits are available to an employee. It has immeasurable value in my book. So thank you for helping to reinforce that notion.
I do not think it is evil to create jobs and do ones best to contribute to society. What you are doing is not evil, but it is certainly not productive in any way, whatsoever.
Lou
October 13th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Here’s the interesting part. The true litmus test of a real public relations firm, one that focuses on social media, should be able to handle these derisive comments.
@Jeremy, what are you doing to handle these naysayers? Are you really going to ignore George Michael and Maeby, anonymous as they are, they are two of a dozen perceptions about your firm. The point of social media PR is to cast this discussion in a positive light. Now I understand these issues are sensitive. As the moderator, you have the power to choose: be diplomatic and turn the debate around, or turn a blind eye. You’re the CEO. Are you really controlling your brand and pr firm?
The Social Media Guru
October 13th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
@SocialMediaGuru: what you haven’t seen is the other two posts these two (or one) people made. They were hostile, borderline attacking not just me but other commentors here. These two (?) individuals aren’t even contributing additional/valuable thought to a discussion. They are using extremely negative language, and adding nothing to the conversation.
At the beginning, when they questioned the package, I was quick to engage with them. I believe I’ve been completely upfront about the role and our approach to compensation. Now, however, they aren’t really debating, they aren’t adding new links to show other options, they are basically just continually accusing me of taking advantage of people. This is not a rational debate, and I don’t believe I am furthering any kind of discussion.
So what is left to handle? I’ve been diplomatic, I’ve given the olive branch, I’ve engaged with the naysayers. But they don’t really want the debate, they just want to be right, at all costs, with no intelligent discussion. And when they get offensive to other readers, then I believe it is the right move to stop things from getting more hostile.
October 13th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I found that the job looked wonderful and was working previously for less so seems like a better opportunity for me!
Wish me luck!
:)
October 14th, 2009 at 12:58 am
Its not likely that my comment will get past your censor but Ill post it at any rate since you yourself might have a look at it.
You let someone like Lacey make a comment that basically states that homelessness or poverty is a positive form of diversity that makes this city worth living in and then censor my attempt, as sarcastic as it was, to point this out. Sorry, I didn’t think my point would get across to an individual with that type of limited observational skill set at any rate and thus I over did the point. Apologies for that, but your quite ignorant and yes inadequate at your job if you allow that comment simply because its positive towards your side. Something tells me if people realized the logic of this it would not be favorable PR.
Not to mention my other points in that post, you so very kindly censored, that it is true that people spend more and more time in the state of proving themselves in order to make decent money and get on with their lives. I don’t think a company like yours should benefit from their better years, no one should, thats just my personal opinion. I also think this is intelligent debate.
Again no one, even you has addressed an honest number crunch and comparison to what type of life people in this wage group will live in SF. Your Johnny on the spot with the craigslist run down but take the salaries low end and see how far that will get you.Your job offer like a lot of these desperate people have said is certainly better then others but your mistake was to try and dress it up into something its not. That’s the cause for what you probably see as my antics.
I really don’t know what anonymity has to do with anything. Am I supposed to give you my real name and social so you can hunt me down or schedule a duel during recess? What does my real name or transparency prove? Perhaps with a CV you can feel better that your above me in the pecking order and thus dismiss my comments as being part of the proletariat? I assure you my credentials are sound otherwise Id be knocking down your door for that fantastic job.
That’s really all I have to say further on this matter. So good luck, and good night.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:14 am
@George-Michael: re censoring – I made my point clear. this comment of yours was at least somewhat constructive, so I’ll let it stand.
re: “people spend more and more time in the state of proving themselves in order to make decent money and get on with their lives” – i’m not sure what to say about that. I’m not forcing anyone to work for me, they are welcome to apply to any job they can find. Or do you feel someone with a college degree and zero work experience is more entitled to a senior position with huge perks and a big salary?
re: “what type of life people in this wage group will live in SF” – I actually resent this comment. I lived a year of my life AFTER college with an income of under 15K. My wife as a pastry chef lived in NYC with a ~20K salary (no benefits). Why? We both wanted to get ahead in this world, and were willing to pay our dues to get there. Yeah, it’s a hard living, but the world’s a tough place. I meet a lot of people who are just trying to get their feet in the door just to make it somewhere in life. And per the earlier thread, unlike an in-and-out burger, someone who spends even a year here is going to either get a raise or be able to find an even better job down the road.
re: “try and dress it up into something its not” – Actually, I did no such thing. I believe I’ve been completely honest and upfront about the entire role. I’ve set expectations completely clearly as to what the job entails and the compensation. There is no “bait and switch” and there is no glorifying here.
re: “anonymity” – no, your logic is pretty far off (again). It’s simply because you wouldn’t write the things you write if you thought they could come back to haunt you either personally or professionally. I think I’ve been pretty open to discussing the issue and taking the criticism on the chin, but you instead use insults and attack language to try to “win” your point. And that point is, if I’m not mistaken, “everybody deserves to make at least $47K per year salary regardless of their experience, the position, or the budget.”
October 14th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I’ve got to take your side on this, Jeremy, not only because I’d like to work for you, but because I’m looking for an OPPORTUNITY, not a paycheck…well…
I’m an administrative ninja, but don’t want to be an office coordinator forever and I appreciate that you are looking for someone that is “willing to pay (their) dues…to get ahead in this world”. Suck it up, kids. I may be way off base here, but didn’t my generation’s parents have to walk 10 miles barefoot in the snow to get to work? I’m more than happy to take Bart.
-A
October 14th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
No my points dealt with that its a travesty this counts as a wage and that you take pride in thinking its so different from In-and-out.
To clarify my point here Ill try my best and use non-attack language and return to a constructive discussion. I can state that once upon a time, back when someones parents walked 10 miles barefoot in the snow, a high school diploma or a trade got you a job and you could live off from that wage. Employers trained or apprenticed their employees at this time, now that’s outsourced to universities. Subsequently this is why the university system in most of the world is sub par now. Its not about academics anymore its about training for a mundane job like this one and everyone and anyone has to attend college to get jobs a monkey could do. Or jobs that most individuals could do if they dropped out of school at 14. Or am I wrong? Is there some requirement for a massive IQ in order to lend a hand to your enterprise?
A young person gets to pay for training in the form of college tuition and now when you actually get to a job your met with this type of wage which doesn’t merit the money invested in training. My guess is your not likely to hire a high school graduate and that you have a list to pick from that includes collage graduates. This is not a new idea and is well documented for those interested, see Netflix and PBS for a starter.
Just out of curiosity for everyone that thinks its an awesome opportunity to continually pay to work like this where should the cap for this trend be? That is how many years should I prove myself in order to get a career and not a job, to own some form of a finished product? Its not a privilege to be forced to trade your time on this planet in order to just survive so that someone else can reap the benefits of hard work.
Now Jeremy, don’t go thinking I blame you for this dynamic fashioned by capitalism and its inherent need to “juice” people. Again, I’m just pointing out the reality of your illusion that your not doing the same thing as a burger joint.
Furthermore, a spin off of this discussion was that I didn’t particularly think it was awesome that you indirectly allowed for commentary that claims poverty and homelessness make SF a diverse city, and yet claim Ive said much worse. Hmmm, poverty is great or this wage your offering is sub par? I’m not sure which is worse.
I know the contemporary trend is for everyone to be completely transparent and that this should be linked to my social networking sites and be visible for my mom to see and chastise me for. However, I would most certainly write and stand for what Ive said here because I am a successful academic who has already written and published papers concerning this type of material or theory. Last time I checked Joe McCarthy is dead and unless your gonna meet me at an academic symposium I doubt it would “haunt or hurt me” for writing whimsically opinionated posts at 1 in the morning about your job posting. Posts that are loosely related to well thought out material and ideas pertaining to social theory and capitalism I’m already professionally documented for.
Your just unlucky my wife was searching for a new job and sent this my way and asked the simple question on how anyone could live off from that wage in this city. Not to mention she is a Swede and has in the case of serious illness a country with free health insurance to return to, so she didn’t fall for the carrot dangled in the form of bennies. Oh, jeez might be a 401k in it though, that is if I hadnt read the latest issue of time that makes it possible for even the most un-educated of us to understand its just a another ploy to milk us.
And yes it would be great if everyone made that kind of money for nothing and could support themselves so that this country was a happier/safer/more inspiring/and any other utopian superlative you care for place. So that the halls of academia are free for thinking and not an extension of high school. This would be a negative thing because why? Because you couldn’t juice anyone or be juiced? Horrible thing that, progress and social evolution. Terrible thing that Ted Turner would only own half of Montana.
I know what you are all thinking, how i the hell would anyone construct and identity then when there is no other in the form of a homeless person and well kitted out geezer in a DG suit? How would anyone tell the difference from me and you? I hear its re-occurring a nightmare that haunts Glen Beck at night.
October 14th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
ah, constructive it is!
re “take pride in thinking its so different from In-and-out” – let’s be real here. even if the wage was 100% exactly the same, there’s a huge difference between working fast food and working in an office. especially one that has the opportunity to get someone much further ahead in life. a recent employee of ours went from an in-house position prior to us to end up as the head of marketing for a well-known startup. also, nobody leaves here smelling of beef grease at the end of the day. so yes, i take pride in my work environment.
re “juicing people” – okay, let’s get very constructive. i have a budget, it’s less than $30K. my options as I see them:
A create an entry-level role with growth opportunity
B keep the money in the bank
C spread the money out amongst existing employees
D buy a lot of really nice hats
which would you pick? tell me what I should do…
October 14th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
I’m with Jeremy….haters. I think this is a great opportunity and appreciate both the pay and the benefits especially with the economy the way it is. Jeremy…I just sent back the answers to all of your questions so call me if interested!
October 14th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
E. None of the above.
As a small business owner, I know for a fact that the opportunity/budget to hire ANYONE is a GOOD thing, especially in this economic climate. Clearly, Stage Two is doing the right things and is growing.
If anyone thinks they can infer anything more about Stage Two, or Jeremy for that matter, from the posting that was made, then you are reading too much into things or are possibly making some huge assumptions.
It’s really quite simple:
For those who feel this type of position is beneath them, or the pay isn’t appropriate, I encourage you to move on, there is nothing to see here. Why piss on something that might be appealing to someone else? Is there some joy in that for you?
If you are the type that fits the profile described in his posting, and the pay seems reasonable to you, then I encourage you to apply for the position. I can assure you that those who are part of Stage Two during the “building years” will certainly benefit from their longer term success.
Having crossed paths with Jeremy several times over the past four years, I can vouch for his integrity, the spirit of his vision, and his intelligence. He is who he says he is. There is no reason to doubt his intentions or desire to do the right thing.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Okay, we’re done with the “spirited debate” here. I apologize for those who were engaged and interested in the thread, but I simply won’t tolerate the nastiness that people choose to write in their spare time. You are welcome to email me or we can begin another thread elsewhere on the wonderful world wide web. Life’s too short for this kind of crap.