This week, I saw a LinkedIn post that honestly stopped me in my tracks.

It was from a recent college graduate, proudly describing part of their interview process. To protect anonymity, I’ll keep the details vague, but essentially, they were asked to search for something as part of the “assessment.” The prize? A job.

The comments were glowing: grit, hustle, commitment, “this is what it takes.”

And all I could think was: that could never be me.

The post immediately reminded me of that infamous episode of Making the Band, where Diddy sent aspiring artists from Manhattan to Brooklyn (on foot) to fetch him cheesecake.

The point wasn’t really the cheesecake. It was a test of obedience, endurance, and how far people were willing to go to “prove” they deserved a shot.

It was a power move disguised as a lesson in “grit.”

Watching that episode years ago, it felt absurd. Seeing versions of it play out in hiring in 2026? Even more concerning.

So I keep coming back to the same question: Are we testing skills, or are we just testing how much people will tolerate?

What bothered me most about that LinkedIn post isn’t that one candidate went along with it. It’s that this kind of thing is increasingly celebrated instead of questioned.

Over the last few years, the bar for interviews has quietly shifted:

The interview process is starting to look less like assessment and more like performance, where the most compliant, not necessarily the most qualified, “win.”

After last week’s issue on skills assessments, my inbox (and DMs) blew up.

Dozens of you who are currently in the job market wrote in to share what you’re experiencing in real time. Some were frustrated, some were exhausted, and a few were downright angry.

What struck me most wasn’t just the volume of messages, it was how similar your stories were.

It wasn’t “one bad company.” It was a systemic pattern.

Many of you used almost the same language:

In other words… This isn’t anecdotal. This is becoming the interview process!

If this sounds familiar, don’t sit on it, feel free to reach out and share your experience. I’m listening, email me at: [email protected]

If you want to stay ahead in this new world of assessments, don’t just do the work better than everyone else.

Reframe the assignment so you look like a senior operator, not a desperate candidate.

Here’s how:

Before you submit anything, include a one-page “How I Thought About This” cover note with three parts:

Be explicit about what you assumed because the company didn’t clarify it. Example:

This does two things:

Briefly explain why you made key choices, not just what you did.

This signals maturity, not compliance, the difference between an IC and a senior operator.

State clearly:

This subtly resets power dynamics. You’re not desperate, you’re professional with boundaries.

In a world where companies are increasingly asking candidates to “prove” themselves, your edge isn’t just doing the work, it’s showing how you think, how you decide, and how you set boundaries.

If the “cheesecake test” era of hiring is here to stay, then your edge isn’t hustle, it’s how you approach the work.

In the Proof of Work Workshop, we don’t teach you to jump through hoops faster. We teach you how to control the process.

Here’s what you get:

You’ll learn a simple framework to:

We break down exactly how to:

You’ll get a template for a one-page cover note that shows:

We walk through sample assessments and show:

We cover:

Each cohort gets access to a dedicated Slack space where you can:

Think of it less like a class, and more like a mini community + support system for your interview process.

You’ll leave with:

So whether you’re facing a 30-minute case study or a 6-hour project, you’ll know exactly how to approach it, strategically, confidently, and with your time intact.

📅 Starting February 25
Live, practical, and built for real hiring scenarios.

What if I told you using astrology to tailor your communication style to match your executives birth chart would strengthen your relationship with them? In fact, you might actually get the answer to that question you asked in slack instead of a vague “ok” that makes your soul shrivel all because you changed your messaging to align with their natural wiring!

I’m Cat, an executive assistant and professional tarot reader with a minor in hyperfixating astrology. Since 2018, I’ve studied how planetary transits affect our day to day and utilizing that knowledge has made me a more emotionally intelligent EA, strengthened relationships with my execs and colleagues, leveled up my career, and so much more. Astrology is an asset to my life personally and professionally and I’m passionate about educating other EA’s on how to make it work for you!  

We’re in the final week of Capricorn Season. Capricorns are born between December 21st and January 19th. Spoiler alert: I’m a Capricorn. 😎 We are earth signs (yes, I need to touch grass or preferably a tree) and I can confirm we are considered the CEOs of the zodiac. 

 Ruled by the planet Saturn which represents time, discipline, and responsibility, we understand better than anyone that strategy combined with vision and consistency will set you up for success. Often we can be found excelling in leadership positions as either public figures or quietly pulling strings behind the scenes raises hand.

Like Gerri from Succession, a Capricorn knows that true power isn't always the person at the podium—it’s the person who knows exactly where the bodies are buried, always reads the room, and has the know-how to keep the company spinning.

Strategic Alignment:  

Thanks for reading. I’m looking forward to sharing monthly astrological tips and insights for 2026 at Office of the EA!

Cat (they/she) is a full time Executive Assistant, Tarot Reader, and Intuitive Consultant based in Philadelphia, PA. To contact, follow on LinkedIn or email [email protected]

I’ll be joining a panel with Dapple AI for AI Outlook 2026: More Signal, Less Noise, a candid conversation about what’s actually working (and what isn’t) as AI reshapes how we work.

📅 Jan 22 | ⏰ 2:00 PM EST

For our next Office Hours, we’re welcoming Molly Medvecky, founder of EA Enneagram, for a live session on the Enneagram and how it shows up in our work.

Molly will share a foundational introduction to the Enneagram and practical ways EAs and operators can apply it to communication, stress, boundaries, and day-to-day work dynamics.

🗓️ Date: February 4th 12pm ET
🌐 Free & virtual
⏰ 45 minutes
💬 Cameras optional; coffee mandatory-ish (tea is fine, we guess)

If you’re navigating this in real time, come talk it through with us in The Inner Office, our free Slack community for operators.

For anyone who has decided: I’m not chasing you, negotiating my worth, or fetching metaphorical cheesecake just to be considered.

Follow our Spotify playlist for inspo! 🎧