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Career Path: How to Become an Executive Assistant
An executive assistant position is an exciting, multi-faceted role which differs daily, and utilizes a variety of skills to support the company’s goals and its leaders.
What is an executive assistant?
An executive assistant provides individualized support to high-level executives. As an executive assistant, you’re the primary point of contact for everything connected to your executive, responsible for managing their schedule and easing their workflow.
What does an executive assistant do?
No two days are exactly alike for executive assistants. You’ll perform a variety of tasks on a daily basis, including:
- Handling all incoming and outgoing communication
- Managing schedules and travel arrangements
- Maintaining complex filing systems and databases
- Preparing and reviewing documents and presentations on an executive’s behalf
- Assisting executives with ever-changing strategic projects
- Managing project-based tasks to ensure executives meet their deadlines
- Assisting with tracking priorities and metrics within the executive team
- Preparing agendas and taking minutes for board and executive meetings
What competencies should an executive assistant have?
If you want to become an executive assistant, you need to be organized and forward-thinking.
Interpersonal skills such as excellent listening and professional communication will be valued, especially as you manage the office and act as the first point of contact on behalf of an executive.
Computer and software proficiency is essential, as you will need to work with documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and emails on a regular basis. You may also play a public relations function, where you could strategically manage your business or executive’s reputation across key stakeholders. You could also be asked to develop and implement crisis management plans.
Though an executive assistant certificate is not mandatory, obtaining one through training and courses can help give you an advantage over your competition.
What is the career path of an executive assistant?
As an executive assistant, you have a unique perspective of the business or industry from an executive level. You’ll learn the inner workings of an organization across all areas and interact with high-level stakeholders on a daily basis. The role has built-in opportunities for networking and skills development – your insider knowledge and strong connections can help you identify and move into areas you’d like to be more involved in.
What is the potential salary for an executive assistant?
Earning potential in executive support will depend on your professional designation, work experience, and any skills training you’ve done that adds value to your role.
Discover the median salary according to years of experience of executive assistants in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, using the GetSmarter Salary Navigator.
What are the education and training requirements for an executive assistant?
If you’re aiming for a future in executive support, you won’t need a university degree. Get training in the following areas to help set you up:
- A high school diploma and a good grasp of the English language
- Critical thinking and organizational capabilities
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Computer and software proficiency
Executive assistants are often required to have a number of years’ experience in a secretarial or junior assistant role. If you put in the years and build your abilities, it’s just a matter of time before you could qualify to move into an executive post.
Expand your portfolio of skills
Online courses that focus on skills development, such as professional communication and public relations, can help you stand out in a competitive job market. In addition, explore the University of Cape Town’s Executive Support 10-week online course to kick-start a career as an executive assistant.
Begin your executive assistant career with an online skills course
