What Exactly Does an Executive Assistant Do?
Well hello there. Tony here. It's been awhile; feels like over a year, but who's counting?I come to you today to bring value and to also hold you as my witness.
Recently I've been asked by the President and CEO of Gumption Entertainment -Mr. Troy Krueger- to take on the role of Executive assistant for his company. Troy sat down with me the other day and went over some of the roles I will be taking on, and writing blogs was one of them.
Starting today, I would like to post one blog a week. It can be about anything. Many people (including me) feel that they will run out of things to say. This is true, but I believe as long as you are giving value and are passionate you can go on and blog forever! So today without further ado, I would like to share with some things I've learned on how to become a successful Executive Assistant.
Essential Information
From what I've researched, an Executive assistant is a very high-powered advanced Secretary. Executive assistants provide high-level administrative support to executives in a company or corporation. Like secretaries or personal assistants, they conduct clerical work. However, executive assistants also perform duties that can have an effect on the success or profitability of a business, such as helping with marketing research, training staff and scheduling important meetings.Educational requirements range from some completed coursework to a bachelor's degree, and these assistants usually receive more training on the job. Prior work experience in an administrative assistant position is usually required.
Job Duties of an Executive Assistant
Provide Administrative Assistance
In many aspects, the role of executive assistant is similar to that of secretary or administrative assistant. They perform clerical tasks, like accepting and making phone calls, setting business meeting agendas, sending memos, accepting visitors, reviewing incoming reports and setting the executive's daily schedule.Conduct Research
Executive assistants are sometimes asked to conduct market research and prepare statistical reports that are used by executives to make business decisions. Since the reports can potentially impact the direction of a company, executive assistants must have a keen understanding of business concepts.Executive assistants are usually required to hold a degree in either general business or the field in which they work; for example, an executive assistant to a financial officer might hold a bachelor's degree in finance. Some executive assistants even possess a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Act as a Gatekeeper
Company executives are usually well-known public figures with a great deal of influence in their communities. As such, the time and attention of an executive are constantly in demand. The role of 'gatekeeper' usually falls to the executive assistant. He or she controls which phone calls and reports go through to the executive, as well as what meetings are scheduled. To fulfill this responsibility, executive assistants must clearly understand the goals, values and needs of both the company and the executive.Supervise and Train Clerical Staff
In the hierarchy that is a company executive's clerical team, the executive assistant is at the top. However, executive assistants often work closely with lower-level administrative assistants to complete certain tasks that require collaboration. In many companies, executive assistants supervise the work of other administrative assistants and coordinate tasks. Because they have the most comprehensive understanding of the needs of the executive and the operation of the clerical staff, executive assistants often train incoming administrative assistants.So there you have it. I think it is vital to have a good education in the field you are going in; however, with the right mindset and proper training you can earn the role you want to hold. When you are working with someone who has the same goals and frame of mind as you, it helps with getting the job done easier because there is more passion behind your work. So realistically speaking it isn't work if you are having fun!
In my next blog I am going to go in depth on what an Assistant to Producer does. See you then!-TonyThe views expressed in this blog are those of Tony Kasmiski and do not necessarily reflect the views of Gumption Entertainment.
