Anna Wintour looking for new assistant: 3 things you should definitely know before applying

On 13 June, Vogue posted what a lot of young professionals would die for: an opportunity to work with Anna Wintour. Indeed, the infamous editor-in-chief is looking for her new assistant.

In the job posting the ideal candidate is described as someone who is ‘extremely organized, efficient, deadline-oriented, and able to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced, matrixed, digital media environment.’ The job posting also plays on the high profile of the company and the aura of Wintour herself stating that this is ‘a tremendous opportunity.’

While there is no doubt that the publication will receive hundreds if not thousands of applications, writer Amy Odell reveals three things you should know before sending in your CV.

Who is Amy Odell, the Anna Wintour specialist?

Amy Odell describes herself as a ‘fashion and culture journalist’ but she also used to be the former editor-in-chief of Cosmo.com.

The fashion industry has no secret for her so it is only natural that she would focus her work on the icon that is Anna Wintour.

In May 2022, Odell released her second book ANNA: The Biography. In this book Odell gave herself the herculean task of interviewing hundreds of people therefore creating a ‘definitive resource on Wintour’s life.’

Her book which she describes as ‘immense’ attempts to offer a real look into the Vogue icon. The book not only gives details about her life, it aims to have readers ‘understand Wintour.’

Odell works hard to provide a ‘portrait of an incredibly complex woman’ who is not just powerful in the world of fashion but in the world overall.

Since releasing her book, Odell has continued to help people crack the ‘enigma’ that is AnnaWintour but this time opting for another media: TikTok.

In her videos she gives insight into who Anna really is, beyond the idea that people have of her. For instance, she has videos called “How Anna Wintour Makes the Met Gala List” or “Can Anna Write?”

Read more:Met Gala 2023: Serena Williams made huge announcement hours before the red carpet

Odell appears to be an expert in all things Anna Wintour, not only through her own career but through the eyes of the 250 people she interviewed for her biography.

Being the assistant of Anna Wintour: Dream job or no?

Since the job posting was released it has triggered a lot of reactions from people everywhere.

The first thing Twitter users have noticed is the salary. Indeed, the assistant would be making between $60K and $80K per year.

That is a lot of money for an assistant job as this twitter user says:

Anna Wintour cannot be serious with this 60k salary for an assistant... 🫠

People have also been comparing this to the classic film The Devil Wears Prada.

However, others have actually paid closer attention to what the positing is asking of the candidates. It lists cryptic and confusing things such as:

demonstrating emotional intelligence

demonstrate personal accountability

a can-do attitude balanced by humility

But there are three important things that the listing doesn’t mention. And that is when Amy Odell’s expertise comes in.

In a TikTok video called '3 things the job description for Anna Wintour’s Assistant Left Out' posted on the June 17, the writer explains three key information that all applicants should be aware of.

Firstly, all ‘assistants must be available to Anna at all times.’

She also explains that former assistants she interviewed said that they:

couldn’t even take the subway because they needed to have cell reception in case she emailed them

And that:

it would just be constant emails

The second thing Odell points out is that a specific line in the job description:

Manage general office administration and supplies

However, the posting conveniently omits the fact that might mean taking care of Anna’s dogs. Odell explains that when Anna Wintour had three assistants one of them ‘was tasked specifically with taking care of any dog things.’

Not exactly the glamorous fashion job you’d think ….

Finally, Odell says that the assistants are ‘expected to pick up Anna’s bag each day from her car.’ That seems quite tame after the dog argument but the reason behind it is that the ‘bag is really heavy’.

And, considering the fact that, everyone is always staring at Anna she couldn’t possibly be seen carrying said bag.

Now that you have the full picture, will you be applying to be Anna Wintour’s assistant?

Sources used:

Tiktok

https://www.amyodell.com/

Fashionista: WITH 'ANNA: THE BIOGRAPHY,' AMY ODELL DEMYSTIFIES ONE OF FASHION'S GREATEST FIGURES

Condé Nast: Assistant to the Editor in Chief- American Vogue and Global Chief Content Officer

The Independant: Vogue divides opinion with controversial job posting for Anna Wintour’s assistant

Twitter