As the name implies, an executive assistant is a person whose main responsibility is to support or help a high-level manager. The most senior Executive Assistants will be supporting CEOs or CFOs. However, many others will support other job titles, and many have more than one Executive to work for directly.
Individuals frequently fill this position with job titles like executive secretaries, personal assistants, or administrative assistants. In a word, they serve as confidantes, gatekeepers, and a general support system for executives. They provide administrative support, and staff training, manage office operations, and even counsel CEOs and other C-Level on critical choices that could directly impact the company’s success.
The job is challenging and frequently very stressful. Still, it is ideal for anyone looking for a vibrant and fascinating career path that will undoubtedly give Executive Assistants tons of skills and priceless experience.
The job description for an executive assistant
While the type of business an executive assistant works for will affect the kinds of tasks they must perform, the following is a summary of some of the usual responsibilities you could find listed in a job description:
- Dealing with all correspondence
- Various administrative duties Interacting with clients
- Undertaking research
- Business Communication in different written forms
- Travel Management
- Email Management
- Work Planning
- Book meetings
- Minute Taking
- Process expense reports and do accounting and bookkeeping
- Establishing effective filing procedures and maintaining necessary documents
All of the above administrative tasks represent part of the Executive Assistant role. However, Executive Assistants are more senior than other administrative professionals. They support Executives and will need to be able to work in the high-level business realm. This means Executive Assistants will have more high-level knowledge and autonomy. Here are some more high-powered skills that Executive Assistant have:
- Prioritisation
- Team Working
- Leadership
- Delegation
- Managerial Communication skills
- Problem Solving
- Decision Making
How to become an Executive Assistant?
There are no specific academic requirements for a University education. However, many Executive Assistants do have degrees from University. There are varieties of courses available that will provide prospective executive assistants with an advantage over their rivals. These are typically concentrated on particular facets of the profession. In Germany, many Executive Assistants will aim to work at international companies. Therefore, Executive Assistant Courses with international qualifications could be beneficial. This will set you apart from other applicants to international companies.
Computer skills training courses that are designed to improve your understanding of some of the most critical IT platforms, including Microsoft Office, G Suite, and others. These skills are vital for efficiency in the job. However, they also demonstrate to employers that you offer the mix of skills needed. Ideally, get certified in these areas.
In Germany, the city you live in could affect the next point. Large cities like Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt have many international companies that need Executive Assistants. Any EA looking to work at an international company will need fluent English. This is not just for German Executive Assistants but is a pattern worldwide.