Before you know how to become an executive assistant, you should know about an executive assistant duty.
The primary responsibility of an executive assistant is to assist or support a senior executive in their day-to-day activities. Executive assistants provide critical administrative assistance to the members of the C-suite.
Administrative assistants, personal assistants, and executive secretaries are just some of the job titles given to those who fill this position.
Gatekeepers, confidants, and an overall support system for executives are what they do. They provide administrative support, conduct staff training, oversee office management, and even advise executives on important decisions that could have a direct impact on the company’s success.
Read on to know more about how to become an executive assistant.
Clearly Defined Tasks of an Executive assistants
Executive administrative assistants also have to do a good deal of research and writing in order to compile reports that will help shape company policy in the long run.
Executive assistants have a bird’s eye view of the company and can assist executives in making strategic decisions as a result of this.
As they are frequently required to oversee and implement internal projects, they must regularly communicate and collaborate with virtually every member of an organization, from the clerical staff to the HR team and senior management.
How do Executive Assistants contribute to the above summary? Some of the duties of a typical Executive Assistant include the following, but they are by no means exhaustive:
1.Calendering
2. Scheduling
3. Organizing
4. Troubleshooting IT issues
5. Advising on the best course of action
6. Keeping track of bonuses and incentives
7. Putting in place procedures
8. Payroll administration
9. Layout planning for workplaces
10. Onboarding/offboarding
11. Managing the flow of information
12. Coordinating a trip’s itinerary
13. To organize an event
The Most Important Abilities of an Executive Assistants.
Key skills that most Executive Assistants have include:
Ingenuity and tenacity to accomplish the impossible
Maintaining one’s composure while dealing with adversity
The ability to fix IT issues and come up with creative solutions.
For executives, trusted confidants and advisors, big-picture thinking is essential
Prioritization is ruthless in order to get the most important tasks completed.
The ability to handle sensitive information with complete secrecy.
Excellent management of tangible resources (e.g., supplies) and operational procedures
The ability to strategically multitask in order to complete important tasks
An uncanny ability to anticipate problems and take action before they become full-blown issues
Ability to work effectively with others requires emotional intelligence.
Communication at the level of an expert is necessary in all circumstances.
Determinedness to act at the right time and in the right way
having the ability to see the absurdity in even the most serious of situations
The ability to build and maintain a strong network of friends and family.
The ability to make things happen as if by magic through negotiation.
Decision-making abilities that can be used in any situation.
An Executive Assistant’s Career Path
A typical executive assistant’s duties and responsibilities span a wide range of areas, necessitating a wide range of skills and experience.
Developing the skills and experience necessary to be a successful executive assistant is a lifelong endeavor that necessitates constant practice and the acquisition of relevant education and work experience.
To become an excellent executive assistant, here are some typical steps taken by the best.
1.Acquire the Necessary Education
To get their career off to a good start, most entry-level administrative assistants need at least a high school diploma.
A bachelor’s degree, such as in business administration, is highly recommended as an additional step in your education.
In some cases, previous work experience can help you land a job, but this depends on the company you’re interviewing with.
2. Apply for Executive Secretary Certification.
As soon as you’ve established yourself, you can choose from several certification options. The Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) and the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) are two certifications offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) (CAP).
A minimum of two years of professional experience is required for consideration. Organization and planning, records management, financial functions, and human resources are all covered in the CPS and CAP exams.
NALS’s Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) and Legal Secretaries International’s Certified Legal Secretary Specialist (CLSS) are the two certifications you can pursue if you’re an executive assistant at a law firm.
The PLS exam, which measures your knowledge of written communication, office procedures, law, and ethics, can only be taken after three years of work experience. After five years of experience and passing an exam in the specialty area of your choice, a CLSS credential can be obtained.
3. Achieve certification in the relevant field.
There are a variety of programs available to help aspiring executive assistants stand out from the crowd. Focused on specific aspects of the job, such as, for example:
You can take the International Association of Administrative Professionals’ certification program to become a Certified Administrative Professional (CAP).
Learn how to use the latest versions of popular IT platforms like Microsoft Office, Google Apps, and more with these computer skills courses. Prospective employers will see this as proof that you have the computer skills required to do your job well and quickly.
Understanding the basics of project management will come in handy if you want to be an executive assistant.
4. Connect with others to broaden your knowledge base.
It’s not the end of the road just because you got hired as an EA. To be successful in this field, you must always be willing to learn about the latest developments and trends in the industry. This involves a lot of networking.
The best way to succeed in your career is to be active on LinkedIn, participate in relevant events and conferences, and use the right contacts and tools.
5. Focus on the right skills.
In order to succeed as an executive assistant, a person must possess a wide range of skills. They must be able to manage their time effectively, have excellent communication skills, be able to deal with sensitive information, and so much more.
Developing these abilities will require a lot of time and effort, and they may appear difficult at first. A list of the most important skills you’ll need to succeed as an executive assistant has been compiled for your benefit.
Salary
Executive Assistants make an average of $57,410 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor (mean).
Finally
One of the most important duties of an executive assistant is to provide day-to-day assistance and support to a senior executive. In the C-suite, executive assistants play a critical role in providing administrative support.
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