Job Description of an Executive Assistant

Tap to Read ➤ Arjun Kulkarni

Businesses today are in great need of assistants. Even small business owners prefer to keep an executive assistant than trying to juggle everything themselves. Which means this can be a successful field to work in, although the job can be as daunting as it is rewarding.

Being an executive assistant isn't as easy as one thinks it is. This is mainly because the job description itself lies solely in the hands of the executive. The work isn't as cleanly defined as any other profile in the professional realm.

On the positive side, the job ensures that you stay out of the hierarchy and still get to work in it. This can help you get incredible amounts of exposure and experience.

On the other hand, your work-load, schedule, lifestyle and interactions are at the complete mercy of your boss. You could end up being overworked and underpaid, especially in small to medium businesses.

Overall Job Description

Here is a general idea of what you'll be doing as and executive assistant. Remember that your actual work may be more or less than this.

Time Management

Being an executive assistant is all about multitasking. You'll be talking to clients, your co-workers and your boss, maybe even at the same time! Believe us, the schedule can be so intense at times, you'll burn out before you can say "I'm ready to work".

But, it's only a part of your learning experience, and you are expected to get better at it as you work more. The most important aspect of time management is to prioritize your work and keep a list of all the things you have to do.

Research

Now, there is a separate post called 'Executive Research Assistant', but an executive assistant may also be expected to conduct economic research of his/her own. This includes gathering funds for the project, economic assessment, creating and managing reports about the task and executing the task.

Often these research projects will be the ones that your boss won't have time for, which means he will transfer most of the work to you. This is where your inclination to work comes in handy. The better you handle things like these, the more you learn and the better you stand.

Statistical Reports

This is something that you'll do often. You'll have to gather information about the project in question, maintain communication with your co-workers and compile all data to construct statistical reports that describes the project's progress.

Handling Information

This part includes proper documentation, filing and storage of all data. Whether by electronic means or on paper, you need to know the process inside out to perform it with precision.

Clerical Duties

You do less clerical duties than secretaries and other clerical workers, but some knowledge about this field is required. You will be needed to handle some clerical data once in a while.

Train Others

If you've got the experience and professional background, you may also come across training, orienting and supervising sub-employees. This is a rare requirement from an executive assistant, but being able to handle this task will come very handy.

Managerial Duties

If you've worked for long enough and you know how the company works by now, you may even be called to perform managerial tasks in your boss's stead. This includes holding meetings, directing the sub-staff, taking calls from high-profile clients, etc.

Expected Salaries

A majority of executive assistants get an annual salary within $64,000 to $76,000 . For the experienced few who work in large businesses, they can earn salaries more than $80,000 . The salary largely depends on the size and sectors of the business.

Executive assistants are what keeps a company in flow. They are envisioned to be loyal, hard-working and possess skills that the boss needs. They should always be readily available and ready to work. To be a successful executive assistant, you need to immerse yourself in the business working and want things to succeed as much as your employer himself.