Executive assistants hold an administrative position in various industries, and they work with top-level executives including CEOs, chairman, and senior managers. The main duty of an executive assistant is to support the management positions, organize meetings, manage work schedule and business travel arrangements for their superiors. They may also be authorized to make business decisions on behalf of their superiors. Employers look for strong organizational and communication skills in an executive assistant who should also be willing to work flexibly.
Job Qualifications & Experience
Most large companies prefer those candidates who have a bachelor’s degree, or a relevant experience in a similar role for at least a couple of year, for the position of executive assistant. You need to have exceptional communication skills, and ability to work well with the computer systems. An ideal executive assistant should maintain a professional behavior in all sorts of environment and he or she should be responsible enough to withhold any type of confidential information.
Job Prospects & Remuneration
As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, executive assistants can expect to earn an average of $55,460 annually, while the specific wage is dependent upon the industry. The highest paying positions are in liquor companies, with an annual wage of $74,020. The projected job growth for the role of an executive assistant is around 3% (2014-24).
Job Skills Needed
Executive assistants are expected to handle multiple tasks, and take important decisions whenever required. He or she should be flexible with working hours, and be very good at time management. When working with CEOs and top level managers, it’s very important to practice discretion and withhold confidential data. Here are a few other skills needed to be an ideal executive assistant.
- Top-notch communication skills
- Computer based skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to schedule and organize meetings as and when required
- Client relations
- Administrative support
- Ability to follow directions
- Analytical skills
- Teamwork and problem-solving
Job Scope Requirements
Depending on the company culture in your place of employment, you as an executive assistant often have to perform the following duties:
- Assisting top-level business staff and arranging schedules
- Screening and prioritizing phone calls and mails
- Making arrangements for travel
- Negotiating with suppliers and clients
- Cataloging and distributing information
- Organize and maintain important files
- Take important business decisions, in case the senior manager is not available
- Keep confidential information intact
Want to Apply for an Executive Assistant Position Today?
The Calendar Group takes into consideration a well laid-out strategy to recruit potential candidates for corporate staffing projects. We’ll be glad to fix a meeting with you, and analyze whether you have the required expertise as an executive assistant to fit into our client’s workplace culture. Make sure you have strong references and recommendations along with relevant work experience and eligibility to work legally in the United States. Give us a call today if you think you are the kind of candidate we are looking for our corporate staffing projects.
