executive assistant

Critical tasks of an executive assistant include the following:

• managing an executive's calendar and schedule: You are the gatekeeper strategically managing the CEO's time. You plan their schedule based on their goals and priorities. You schedule field meeting requests and create a working calendar to ensure the senior manager has time for all appointments.
• receiving phone calls and managing emails: You manage all communication with the senior executive. That includes picking up phone calls on their behalf and organizing their email. You also organize their correspondence in order of priority.
• planning and facilitating meetings: Your core responsibility involves planning and facilitating meetings, from client appointments to upper management meetings. You set up in-person or virtual meetings by finding the appropriate time for all parties and preparing the executive for the meetings. During meetings, you record the proceedings and transcribe them for parties unable to attend.
• coordinating travel: An executive assistant plans all travel for senior-level managers. You ensure a smooth travel experience by organizing flights, transportation and accommodation. You also prepare the itinerary and plan your schedule if you accompany the executive.

You work primarily in an office environment. You could work alone, but being cooperative and collaborative with other office staff is part of your job. Your usual workplace depends on your executive's location. The travel plans you organize enable you to see the world. You may also work remotely or from home. Expect to interact with all executive staff members as a go-to person from whom they derive information. Since you work alongside top-level executives, you should maintain strict professionalism and always wear business attire.

As an executive assistant, you can work in any industry. Your colleagues might include administrative assistants, chief executive officers, financial analysts and finance managers. You also work closely with marketing managers and operations managers, as well as other specialists who could include program managers, managing directors, sales directors and vice president of sales.

The executive members of your company work full-time. Your schedule will be adaptable to the needs of the executive, and some of your work may fall outside ordinary business hours. You have weekends off if your staff can meet the routine needs of your office.

Top performers accept some inconvenience when giving their all to the job. As an assistant, your role is an executive one, and few people reach this level without flexibility. Thus, the time you invest in your job has the potential to overlap with your personal life.

The outlook for executive assistants is good due to the competitive nature of corporate and organizational workloads. Top-level executives find it easier to maximize their productivity with someone helping them handle the smaller tasks. Businesses with executive branches weather economic storms better than small to midsize businesses. The strength of an executive team ensures career opportunities in various economic conditions. Your earnings also increase over time. The longer you hold a position as an administrative assistant, the more money you can demand. In your career, you have the potential to work with a single person or lead an entire group.

Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:

• being paid weekly
• flexibility
• always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
• many training opportunities
• a range of jobs in your area

Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as an executive assistant is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers, thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad, too!

In the role of an administrative assistant, you will be responsible for handling managerial and organizational tasks for the entire office or workplace. However, as an executive assistant, your duties involve performing more complex administrative tasks and closely collaborating with top executives. You may have additional responsibilities, oversee other employees and provide valuable advice and innovative solutions as an advisor to business leaders.

A CEO seeks an executive assistant who can serve as a reliable ally. They desire someone they trust to fulfill commitments and accomplish tasks with minimal supervision. The most exceptional and well-compensated executive assistants are independent and self-sufficient.

Certainly, pursuing a career as an executive assistant can be highly rewarding. Typically, executive assistants receive annual salaries ranging from $50,000 to $95,000. In certain roles, it is even possible for executive assistants to earn over $100,000 per year.

Include experience from past administrative jobs. Highlight skills in organization and management. Discuss the skills and knowledge you brought to the role and highlight how your work added value to the company.

A double executive assistant works for multiple executives simultaneously. They will typically support two executives from the same company. This is a demanding responsibility that could lead to a lucrative salary.

Applying for a executive assistant job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our executive assistant jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state-of-the-art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!