We all know that whenever a company executive gets praise and recognition for a job well done that they couldn’t have achieved this without the support of a hardworking and multi-talented professional Executive Assistant.
Executive Assistants play a vital role in the success of any business. They have a gift for knowing what needs doing and how to get it done. It is true that some people are more suited for a role such as this and possesses certain ‘must-have’ qualities that help them achieve their goals.
So, what exactly makes these professionals indispensable? What are the top five must-have qualities that make an excellent Executive Assistant, and do you have what it takes to succeed in this role?
Here we look at the five key skill sets that you should have to flourish in a role as an Executive Assistant.
1: Outstanding organisation skills
One of the top qualities that makes an excellent executive assistant is remaining calm and organised in a very fast-paced, busy working environment.
You will need to be skilled at performing several tasks to support your company executives and their team. You need to be quick and efficient at carrying out tasks and have a good eye for fine detail.
The ability to multitask is a given, but you also need to carry out essential tasks in an organised and careful manner. It is also necessary to weigh up and prioritise the tasks that you are given to make sure that the most urgent tasks are performed first.
2: Good communication skills
Possibly your most outstanding quality is the ability to communicate clearly and deliver executive orders quickly and precisely. You should be able to interact with people in a positive, friendly and professional manner.
A significant part of this role is drafting letters, emails, internal messages and memos and taking down minutes and action points at executive meetings. You must possess accurate skills in grammar, spelling and punctuation.
3: Excellent collaborative skills
A successful Executive Assistant isn’t an island. Being successful in this role involves being able to collaborate with others and be a top team player.
Having the ability to pull everyone together as a team and recognise each individual’s contribution to achieving the overall goal is critical. Any accomplishments their boss earns are understood to result from collaboration with an excellent support team.
4: Exemplary professional conduct
Being friendly and approachable is essential in this role, but so is remaining professional at all times. As you will be interacting with people at all levels within the organisation on a daily basis, you need to be able to conduct yourself well with everyone from the CEO to the office cleaner.
This means treating everyone with respect no matter their role within the company. Confidentiality is a must, and Executive Assistants shouldn’t take part in office gossip or take sides in any internal politics.
5: A willingness to learn something new
Working in a dynamic office environment also means keeping up with company efficiency measures and working with new technology or adopting new business processes to improve productivity.
This is a role where you will be one of the most tech-savvy people on the payroll. It would help if you were willing to improve your skills and keep up with current events and industry trends. This will allow you to remain on top of your game.
For anyone wanting to move into an Executive Assistant role, it can help to progress your career with the proper training. If you are thinking of retraining as an Executive Assistant, an exciting career awaits you!