Type in a career question:
salary_header

What is an Executive Assistant?

1 Answer(s)
Top Answer
Talent.com talent.com
Answered October 01 2021
Career Expert at Talent.com
Executive Assistants are the right-hand men and women providing direct support to company executives and politicians, managing their schedules and setting up their appointments. They plan, coordinate, and control all administrative and operational procedures, activities, and documentation. They are, at times, mistaken for Personal Assistants.   
   
Unlike Administrative Assistants or even Personal Assistants, for that matter, Executive Assistants give out professional advice and recommendations, in addition to completing a variety of clerical tasks. They often act as representatives, liaising with individuals and organizations on behalf of executives, and coordinate Public Relations activities.  
   
Even though the term “Assistant” and “Secretary” are often used interchangeably, it must be noted that the first term has been slowly replacing the latter, which is, in most cases, considered an outdated and inadequate term. Not only that but the job description and duties for these professionals go beyond regular secretarial duties and often require significant training and experience.

Personality of an Executive Assistant
  • They take detail-oriented to a new level  
If you ever thought you might be an organized type, you might be inclined to think again when observing Executive Assistants doing what they do best. The number one asset they bring to any company or individual is their ability to think ahead and nail all the tricky details or any task or event. It’s more than skill at this point; it’s part of their lifestyle.   
  
  • They are expert multitaskers  
Employers of Executive Assistants are typically looking for a lot of commitment and skill when seeking a new hire. The demands of high-level executives come from overlapping client and shareholder demands, which is where Executive Assistants come in with their innate ability to handle the incoming requests and prioritize them accordingly. The overlap can be stressful at times, but   
  
  • They are always willing to learn  
The statement is true for Executive Assistants newly starting their careers and for more seasoned professionals. There will be ample opportunity to adapt to changing work environments and learn new skills in this career as employers of Executive Assistants are constantly redefining their needs and adapting to their changing situations. The burden isn’t entirely on Executive Assistants, but it helps prepare for a career in this field.   
Easteregg!