what is an executive assistant?
The job of an executive assistant is an important role that involves assisting senior managers within the organisation. In this position, you work closely with the managers you support and need to learn what their personal preferences are. What sets an executive assistant apart from other assistants and administrators in the workplace is who you report to. You report directly to the managers, the CEO and the board.
As an executive assistant, you’re also a mediator, reading through executives’ speeches, taking calls from clients or partners, and preparing press materials. Your job is to make things easier for the executives, handling the more day-to-day administrative tasks, so the executives or the CEO can instead focus on their primary mission.
Even though the role of executive assistant is subordinate to a managerial position, you are in a position that allows you to advise managers on more important matters. With your valuable knowledge and insight, you will also influence internal policies and be in a position to guide team leaders, middle managers, as well as advise other colleagues. In some cases, the role of executive assistant can be personal, with a certain insight into the manager’s private life.
Would a job as an executive assistant suit your strategic and organisational side? Then read on to learn more about the skills and qualifications required to succeed in a role as an executive assistant.
executive assistant jobsaverage salary as an executive assistant.
In many organisations, an executive assistant plays a central role in keeping things running smoothly. Without executive assistants, managers cannot do their jobs as efficiently as they would like. This means that the salary for an executive assistant can be very good.
There are executive assistants in many different companies and industries, and salaries can vary greatly depending on the employer. There are also executive assistants with differently designed roles, with more or less complex areas of responsibility and tasks. That in itself will also affect the salary. The average salary as an executive assistant can be anywhere between 29 000kr and 35 000kr. However, the salary is influenced by various factors.
which factors can affect the salary as an executive assistant.
An executive assistant has good opportunities for a strong negotiating position when it comes to salary negotiations. By performing at their best, including having good industry knowledge and insight into how the company's operations are progressing, one can increase their chances of getting a higher salary. In many companies, executive assistants play such an important role that they become difficult to replace, as they make work easier for senior managers and keep the daily operations running smoothly.
Even the executive assistant who has greater responsibility, more authority to make decisions and handles more complex tasks, is better positioned to receive a higher salary. In addition, someone working as an executive assistant in a larger company, such as one operating in a multinational market, can earn more in salary. Your work experience is always relevant, both from your current workplace and from previous jobs.
different roles of executive assistant.
It is possible to work as an executive assistant in many different organisations and companies. The role is about providing support to senior managers and the management team when the company's objectives are to be achieved. In small companies, an executive assistant may work closely with several different managers and be an important bridge in daily communication and workflow. In larger companies, it is common for an executive assistant to work closely with a specific manager. It can also be a role that involves having personnel responsibility and communicating directly with the employees in that department.
If you’re responsible for personnel in the role of executive assistant, you’ll spend a large part of your working hours managing the day-to-day operations. This also means you’ll handle some of the manager’s own tasks that require responsibility, such as attending certain meetings on the manager’s behalf. It may also involve making certain decisions. In such a role, as an executive assistant, you’re an important sounding board for the manager and make sure all parts of the operation run as they should.
working as an executive assistant.
As a personal assistant, you often have fully booked days that require focus and planning. This means you need to be flexible and adaptable, and skilled at planning and organising, so you don't miss anything important.
Read more below about the common tasks and areas of responsibility you need to handle in the role of executive assistant, as well as what the future prospects look like.
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tasks
Some key tasks as an executive assistant may include the following:
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Keeping track of the manager's calendar and schedule: You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that the manager's calendar and schedule fit together, and you also need to think strategically so that there is enough time. You plan their schedule based on the goals and priorities of the organisation. You receive meeting requests and create a work schedule that works, and make sure that the company management get their working days and working weeks to fit together.
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Receive calls and respond to emails: In the role of executive assistant, you will handle all communication with company management. This includes answering phone calls and keeping an eye on their inboxes in the email systems. You will also need to organise and prioritise all correspondence they receive according to importance. The aim is to make the managers’ work easier.
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Planning meetings: One of your main tasks as an executive assistant is to plan and manage meetings. These can be various types of meetings, ranging from client meetings to meetings with company management or other colleagues. You need to schedule in-person, physical meetings or digital meetings by finding a time that suits all parties involved. You also need to prepare the company management and the managers for the meetings. While the meetings are taking place, you take notes on what is said and what is decided, and in some cases, you transcribe entire meetings for people who could not attend.
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Coordinate travel: As an executive assistant, you are also responsible for planning all travel that the manager or company leadership needs to do for work. You make sure that the travel arrangements fit with the work schedule and that it is a comfortable way to travel by organising flights or other means of transport, transfers to and from train stations or airports, as well as accommodation. You also need to plan your own schedule; accordingly, in case you need to accompany them on the trip.
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work environment
As an executive assistant, you usually work in an office environment. You have the freedom and trust to work independently but being cooperative and available for other colleagues is an important part of the job. Some parts of your job can be done from home, but physical presence is also required to handle certain tasks. You should also expect to always be available for the management team members and other managers when they receive new information. This means you should always be professional and dress well at work.
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your colleagues
As a chief assistant, your most important colleague is the manager or managers you work closely with. But you will also work closely administrators office managers, finance managers and payroll administrators. It’s also not uncommon for you to work closely with project manager operations managers and PR managers. The sales department can also be an important department to work closely with, as their performance is central to the company.
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work schedule
Managers and the company management at your workplace work full-time and your work schedule will need to be adjusted according to how the manager organises their work. Usually, you work 40 hours a week with regular office hours between 8am and 5pm. Some work may also occur outside of planned working hours, in the evenings and at weekends, but in most cases, as a personal assistant to the manager, you have weekends off if the routines and workflow at the company function as they should.
In the role of executive assistant, you have an important operational role. To reach such a position, you need to be flexible and have an open attitude towards your job. To be successful as an executive assistant, it is necessary to understand that this may be the case.
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future prospects
In many large, successful companies, managers and the executive team face the challenge of maximising their productivity without getting support with important administrative tasks and other things that crop up during the working day. This means the outlook is good for executive assistants, whose role is precisely to relieve managers and the leadership team of administrative tasks so they can focus on what’s important for the business and achieve set goals.
A well-functioning company management gives the business better conditions to handle all sorts of challenges. This makes the role of executive assistant important and means that, over time, you can take on an increasingly significant role. The longer you have worked as an executive assistant, the higher salary you will be able to earn. While working as an executive assistant, you can work with a single manager or with a larger group of managers.
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benefits of finding a job as an executive assistant through randstad
There are many advantages to finding a vacancy as an executive assistant through Randstad.
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various development and career opportunities
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an experienced contact person who can help you if needed
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many job vacancies within your area
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full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment
Do you want a permanent position as an executive assistant? A temporary contract or short-term job as an executive assistant is often a good first step towards a permanent position. Every year, several people get a permanent job with employers thanks to a temporary job that has come through us at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent staff directly through Randstad.
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education and qualifications.
In order to get a job as an executive assistant, the following qualifications are required.
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Education: In almost all cases, the requirement to get a job as an executive assistant is to have a relevant academic education, either a bachelor's or a master's degree. This could be a qualification in administration, business, economics or other fields of study related to business. The education provides you with many important tools to be able to work as an executive assistant.
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Learning period: A certain period of training is to be expected to become an executive assistant. Either as a dedicated assistant at a lower level within the same company, or in other responsible roles within the same or another organisation. Getting the chance to improve your skills is important in order to be able to handle a job as an executive assistant later in your career.
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Work experience: It is essential to have relevant work experience before taking a job as an executive assistant. It gives you the training and skills needed, but it also adds merit to your CV. Work experience is also a good way to make contacts that may become important.
knowledge and skills.
There are some important skills that an executive assistant should have.
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ability to plan
Being able to plan and organise are important qualities for becoming a skilled executive assistant. These are skills that enable you to make work easier for the manager or managers you assist, by organising their calendars, work schedules and travel. You need strong planning abilities to set up workflows with deadlines, objectives and priorities.
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communicative ability
As a chef assistant, you need to be good at communicating both verbally and in writing. This is important in several parts of your job, including when you proofread documents and communicate with various parties in a project. Good communication skills are important as you have a lot of dialogue with both internal and external people.
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adaptability
It is a dynamic job that awaits in the role of executive assistant, which requires a good ability to adapt and be flexible when new situations or challenges arise. This includes being open to working unsociable hours, outside of scheduled working time.
frequently asked questions about working as an executive assistant.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about working as an executive assistant.
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what exactly does an executive assistant do?
An executive assistant is the ears, eyes and hands for managers who have a lot on during their working days. You handle small but time-consuming tasks that free up time for senior managers. Your job is to minimise various distractions that negatively affect the workflow. You are also a constant support to the manager.
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what qualities are needed to become an executive assistant?
To succeed in a role as an executive assistant, you need to be attentive, skilled at communicating both in writing and verbally, and have a good ability to plan and organise. With a keen eye for detail, you will be able to spot potential improvements in the business and ensure misunderstandings are avoided. You need to take notes, organise files and communicate with both external and internal parties to keep the work running smoothly.
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can a chief assistant become a manager or CEO?
There is a certain possibility of becoming a manager or even a CEO after previously working as an executive assistant at the workplace. Many executive assistants gain a great understanding of the entire organisation in their demanding role and in some cases, this can lead to a managerial position.
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what education is required to become an executive assistant?
An academic education is usually required to be considered for a job as an executive assistant, but also to be able to do the job well. By studying for an academic degree, you gain many of the tools needed to become a successful executive assistant, and it is an advantage to have a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field, such as business, economics or project management.
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how do I apply for a vacant job as an executive assistant?
It's easy to apply for a job as an executive assistant. Search among our vacant jobs in your area. Then send in your CV and your personal letter or apply via LinkedIn
If you need help with your job application, you can read all our job tips here!
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further reading about the role of executive assistant
Here you can find more information about the role assistant chef.
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