Executive Assistant Duties

Executive assistants have the responsibility of helping and assisting executive managers. Executive jobs are always on demand as there is a sustained growth in this field. An executive assistant's duties are mostly associated with office management and dealing with customers. They sometimes scrutinize supervisory tasks and recruitment process.

The high level office support provided by executive managers is vital for proper functioning of an organization. According to the survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 1,600,000 people were recruited as executive assistants in the year 2008. That was indeed a huge figure.

An executive assistant handles responsibilities of almost all the departments of the organization. They determine the yearly calendar of the company and note down all minute details. 

Offering high level administrative support implies performing clerical functions and handling information sheets.

Clerical functions are associated with receiving visitors in the office, scheduling meetings, conferences, and receiving important calls on behalf of the manager. He conducts extensive research on market economy and has to present the reports before his manager. At times, he has to supervise and train lower-level staff to improve their expertise.

• Manage schedule for executive managers.
• Prepare financial statements, database, spreadsheets, and memos.
• Make invoice reports, letters, and presentation of software.

• Analyze the memos, letter, and data before submission and then distribute them accordingly.
• Receive visitors who have an appointment with managers.

• Prepare, sort and dispatch correspondence via email and fax.
• Retrieve documents, corporate records, and information and prepare responses of routine inquiries.
• Schedule travel plans of senior level officers.

Acting as representatives in meetings, conferences, and seminars.
Arrange seminars, conferences, and client meetings.
Deal with clients and carry out successful business.

The requirements vary for different organizations. Some organizations demand candidates with postgraduate degree in management, while others emphasize more on the experience.

The basic requirement is an in-depth knowledge in clerical procedures and administration. You should have computer skills and must know how to manage files, records, forms, stenography, and transcription.

Knowledge of English is mandatory to fulfill the requirements of executive assistants. You should have the basic management skills to become an executive manager. A degree or diploma in business management can push you up to the top of the ladder.

According to BLS, the highest paid executive assistants were recruited in business organizations like sound recording, exchange, and securities. They draw annual salary of more than US $54,000. Executive assistants in schools and other industries are paid around US $35,000 while employment services pay little less as compared to other sectors.

The average income of an executive assistant working with educational organizations is US $37,000. People working in New York, Columbia, and New Jersey are some of the highest paid members with an average income ranging from US $52,000 to US $60,000.

Career opportunities are high as executive assistants are hired in almost every sector, ranging from legal, technical, medical, education, and business.

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) in the U.S. is an organization that offers internship and training to administrative assistants as well as executive assistants.

This adds an additional qualification in the resume. Decision-making is an important virtue for all executive assistants. One should also possess excellent communication skills for conveying opinions during seminars and while interacting with clients.