Executive assistant jobs pay well and require a diverse set of technical, business, and communication skills. These abilities are attained through a combination of formal education and on-the-job training. An executive assistant’s job is to assist someone in a senior management or executive position with administrative tasks.
The use of computer software is emphasized in the technical skills required for executive assistant positions. Expert certification in office productivity software, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software is required. They must be willing and able to learn new technology quickly, as well as support any software or hardware that the executive requires. Mobile phones, personal information management units, such as a Blackberry®, and other new technologies are examples of this.
These skills are acquired through training courses and seminars offered by the company when new software is implemented. Online seminars and upgrade sessions are an excellent way to keep your skills up to date. Executive assistant positions frequently expand over time to provide a higher level of support. You can make yourself indispensable to your employer by broadening your skill set.
Negotiation, basic accounting, financial report creation, and accounting transaction processing are all skills used by executive assistants. They should also be familiar with organizational structure and management, as well as marketing and business strategy. Candidates needed to have completed two years of post-secondary education and an associate degree in business, administration, or a related field to qualify for these positions. All of these abilities are required to effectively support senior management in a large corporation.
When applying for executive assistant positions, the most important skill is communication. An executive assistant is frequently the primary communicator of the CEO’s message, direction, and priorities to other employees. As an executive assistant, discretion and a clear understanding of roles and business protocol are required.
A wide range of post-secondary education institutions offer communication training. Evening courses, seminars, and self-help books are all available to help you improve these crucial skills. Executive assistant jobs necessitate the ability to write and speak at a professional level.
An executive assistant’s ability to smooth over difficult situations and provide insight into other people’s motivations is a valuable skill. Many executives rely on their assistants to keep them informed about insider gossip as well as the concerns of lower-level employees. One of the most important skills of an executive assistant is the ability to successfully balance competing priorities.