This is a summary of well-researched information on executive assistant roles, particularly in the United States.
This information covers areas like job descriptions, salary structure, required qualifications, career paths, working conditions, resume tips, and interview questions for the position of executive assistant.
Take note that an executive assistant is slightly different from an administrative assistant.
Executive Assistant Information
| Official Job Title | Executive Assistant |
| Average Salary | $55,001 |
| Stress Level | Average |
| Work / Life | High |
| Job Satisfaction | High |
| Career Advancement | Average |
Job Description
What Is An Executive Assistant Role?
An executive assistant role, just as it sounds, offers assistance to chief executive officers of organizations.
They are sometimes referred to as executive administrators.
What Does An Executive Assistant Do On A Daily Basis?
Executive assistants prioritize emails daily, keep the schedules of top executives, organize travel arrangements, sort documents needed for briefings, and determine which phone calls are of high importance.
What Are the Responsibilities, Duties & Roles Of An Executive Assistant?
The responsibilities of executive assistants are numerous.
The best way to capture it is if you try to imagine that you have the responsibility of maintaining the well-being and efficiency of the CEO.
That being said, the responsibilities are as follows:
- Arranging meetings, keeping reminders, and updating schedules.
- Sorting phone calls according to their order of importance
- Attending to clients and visitors to know their intentions and deciding if they should see the CEO or be redirected to another department.
- Maintain relationships between the company and its representatives.
- Ensuring the constant flow of supplies needed by the executive.
- Correspond with other departments as needed.
Salary Range
Average Salary
The average salary of an executive assistant in the U.S. is around $55,001.
This figure may be relative to the state you’re residing.
Starting Salary
The starting salary of an executive assistant in the U.S. is around $43,738. This is bound to increase as your experience increases, and you develop your skills.
Senior Salary
The senior salary of an executive assistant in the U.S. is around $85,000.
Additional compensation or bonuses like health insurance or paid holidays usually come with the package.
How To Become An Executive Assistant
The Entry Level: Certification, Training & Degree
Few companies are flexible in terms of the certificates you have.
They will bank on your wealth of experience rather than the certificates.
However, most companies will expect you to have some prior training, degrees, and certificates to show for it.
There are short courses (usually online) that you can apply to.
Examples are the California School Boards Association Training and the American Society of Administrative Professionals.
The benefits of training create the confidence that comes with the acquisition of knowledge, improved effectiveness, increase in payment, and a competitive edge to stand out among the crowd.
Other Skill Sets, Requirements & Qualifications
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical entry-level education required is a high school diploma or equivalent.
However, a bachelor’s degree is usually required by employers.
The most relevant is a degree in business administration.
Other related skillsets for the executive assistant are: travel management, lawsuit, marketing expert support, brokering & mediation, procurement, inventory management, Microsoft office, and event planning.
How Long Does It Take To Become An Executive Assistant?
Executive secretaries need several years of related work experience to function effectively.
However, if you’re starting at an entry-level position, you can learn about your duties several weeks into the job.
Is It Hard To Become An Executive Assistant?
The short answer is no, it’s not difficult to become an executive assistant.
Career Paths
The Executive Assistant Roadmap
The executive assistant position is very critical to the success of any organization.
It is a dynamic role that is constantly changing in terms of the job description.
For you to be successful as an executive assistant, you must be ready to adapt to changes.
You must be able to balance your work and personal life.
You must be a quick learner with the ability to correct mistakes instantly and never repeat them.
Projection For Growth
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projection for growth of executive assistants will decline by 7 percent from 2020 to 2030.
Irrespective of this decline, about 324,300 are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
The openings are expected to be from the call to replace workers who changed to other occupations or left the labor force, probably to retire.
In Summary: Is an Executive Assistant A Good Career?
An executive assistant is undoubtedly a promising career.
The wealth of experience that comes with it cannot be quantified.
There’s also the opportunity to grow.
Administrative assistants who continue to improve their skills may move up to eventually become the CEO or Chief of Staff.
Working Conditions
Can An Executive Assistant Work Remotely From Home?
The simple answer is yes.
An executive assistant can provide the same service remotely (sometimes even more efficiently), just as when the work is office-based.
Although many employers are used to working closely with their executive assistants, those who have accepted the new norm have been able to implement new strategies to keep the ball rolling efficiently.
How Many Hours Does An Executive Assistant Have To Work?
As an administrative assistant, you’re expected to work between 35 to 40 hours during weekdays.
Depending on the company you work with, the requirements may vary.
Generally, you can expect to be required to work full-time and sometimes overtime.
Can An Executive Assistant Work Part-Time?
As discussed above, it is very uncommon for an executive assistant to work part-time.
Although there may be some form of agreement between you and your employee for a short period, it usually wouldn’t be in the interests of both parties in the long term.
What Are The Average Vacation Days Of An Executive Assistant?
Executive assistants are entitled to a number of leaves, holidays, and vacations.
These days vary, and companies spell out these days in the contract.
Examples of leaves are sick leaves, medical leave, and funeral leave.
An example of a vacation arrangement of some companies is 20 working days’ vacation (paid vacations).
Companies have different policies, so the numbers could be different.
Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to an Executive Assistant
- Personal Assistant
- Administrative Assistant
- Pharmacy Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant
- Account Executive
- Medical Assistant
Resume Tips
Here are a few tips for an executive assistant resume:
- Technicality Mastery
- Executive assistants use their technical skills to create appointments, schedule meetings, or organize programs.
- Be sure to list all the technical skills you have.
- ATS Knowledge
- Due to the heavy turn-in of resumes for job applications, the HR manager does not have the time to sort resumes manually.
- The ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is used to sort the resumes automatically.
- It would be best if you learned how to use the keywords that the ATS will look for in the resume.
- Achievements
- Be sure to highlight the achievements in your previous workplace.
Interview Questions
Some key questions which are usually asked for the executive assistant role in an interview are:
Q1. What would you do if an angry client demanded to speak with an executive who may not be available?
Why it works: The interviewer wants to know if you can de-escalate tense situations quickly and effectively. You’re expected to be a master of this because it may happen quite often.
Q2. What software programs have you used before, and which of those do you think is most essential?
Why it works: The interviewer is just trying to know about your technical skills and how savvy you are with them. This is your chance to boast of your technical skills.
Q3. Why do you think you’re the best fit for this position?
Why it works: This question is asked about your experience and skills that are essential to the job. Feel free to share your experience.
Jobs Related To An Executive Assistant
- Administrative Assistant
- Legal Secretary
- Personal Assistant
- Support Assistant
- File Clerk
- Scheduler
- Data-entry Clerk
- Office Clerk
- Operations Assistant
- Operation Administrative Assistant
For HR Manager: Tips For Hiring An Executive Assistant
Key Characteristics To Look For In An Executive Assistant
There are certain characteristics and skills an HR Manager must look for before hiring an executive assistant.
Some essential characteristics are resiliency, tenacity, coordination, and high motivation.
Others are leadership skills, attention to detail, adaptability, communication, multitasking, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Executive assistants must be able to remain calm in tense situations and be able to figure out a solution.
They must be able to develop relationships with people within and outside the organization to excel in their job.
Minimum Level Of Education & Experience
The minimum level of education & experience of an executive assistant is typically a high school diploma.
However, this is usually for an entry-level with some prior experience.
Candidates for an executive position may need a university degree or certificate.
References
- https://study.com/what_does_an_executive_assistant_do.html
- https://www.indeed.com/recruitment/job-description/executive-assistant
- https://www.snagajob.com/salary/administrative-assistant
- https://www.dice.com/salary-calculator/administrative-assistant-in-us
- https://www.erieri.com/salary/job/administrative-assistant/united-states
- https://www.carinsurancedata.org/calculators/salary/hour/1890
- https://www.csba.org/en/TrainingAndEvents/RegistrationPolicy
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes436011.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm#TB_inline?height=325&width=325&inlineId=qf-wage
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm#tab-6
- https://www.district65.net/cms/lib8/IL01906289/Centricity/Domain/91/Executive%20Assistant%20Agreement%2012-13%20through%2015-16%20Final%203.pdf
- https://www.thebalancecareers.com/job-interview-question-what-experience-do-you-have-2061260
- https://study.com/articles/Certified_Executive_Assistant_Education_Requirements_and_Career_Info.html
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm