How to Become an Executive Assistant

As the executive assistant in an organization or business, you are responsible for managing and supporting the daily operations of the main office. Since this position is one of management in the administrative field, you must have the skills and knowledge of the policies of the organization and its operating procedures. You will essentially be a facilitator of coordinator of all the activities that take place in this setting. The specific duties depend to a great extent on the nature of the work of the business or organization and this may require additional skills and knowledge.

The minimum requirements for attaining the position of executive assistant include a bachelor’s degree in administration. This could be in office administration or public administration, or could be very specific such as legal or medical administration. You will not automatically obtain this type of managerial position upon graduation because most employers require from two to five years experience for this position. In addition to the educational and experience requirements, you should have strong interpersonal skills for dealing with the general public and the personnel in the organization. This means you should have strong written and spoken communication skills as well as a pleasant demeanor.

Meeting new challenges with an open mind is one of the skills you should possess in the position of executive assistant. Enthusiasm and optimism with regards to the job are also helpful qualities. In order to obtain this position, you will have to demonstrate your ability to manage and coordinate several projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks successfully. You do need to have a working knowledge of the structure, policies and the key personnel in the organization, especially if you are applying to work with this organization for the first time. Computer and keyboarding skills are a must as well as a working knowledge of different types of accounting and word processing software.



Some of the various duties you will have to perform in the position of executive assistant include:

• Informing clients about the status of the project
  
  
• Monitoring results and distributing the data
  
  
• Compiling information for analysis
  
  
• Making recommendations to partners about projects
  
  
• Performing essential administrative duties, such as answering telephones, responding to emails and drafting letters
  
  
• Participating in staff meetings
  
  
• Preparing billing information
  
  
• Arranging schedules
  
  
• Arranging travel, if this is part of the company needs.
  

Employers looking for a person to fill the role of executive assistant are looking for a person who will be an asset to the organization in that role. You should demonstrate, through your training and experience, that you are committed to excellent performance in your job. They want to see how you can add value to the work and the business. At the interview, you will undoubtedly be asked questions about your prior experience and how you can bring that to the new position. Therefore, you should research the specific company or organization and be able to meet the criteria for the position spelled out in the job posting.