How to Become an Executive Assistant

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To become an executive assistant, you need to fine tune your professionalism and develop a range of soft skills including communication, time management, organization, and leadership. You also need to understand business fundamentals such as how a company operates and what laws may affect them. Experience in the industry you serve can also help you stand out from other job candidates. If you want to be the right-hand man—or woman—to an important executive, follow this path:

Learn About Business Administration

You can learn about business from in-class lectures, online courses, and even self-directed programs. Whichever way you access the knowledge, you need some understanding of people and resource management, project management, finance and accounting, business law and ethics, and strategy development. You also need to understand how a business operates, how important decisions can affect the bottom line, and the role that an executive assistant plays within an organization.

Some employers expect their EAs to have a bachelor’s degree, but if you have an associate degree or certificate and significant experience, they may consider you for a role. What’s really important, though, is that you’re always willing to learn.

Gain Business Administrative Experience

Most Executive Assistants begin their careers as Administrative Assistants, so look for entry-level positions that can offer some basic secretarial experience. You might connect with small local businesses that could use your help, or you could volunteer with a nonprofit. These experiences can help you develop essential administrative skills. And you can be an Admin even if you’re still in school.

executive assistant meeting

Build Your Executive Administrative Assistant Resume

With your education and experience, start building your resume. Include sections for education, work experience, and skills. Note your abilities to manage calendars and coordinate travel. Highlight any major projects you might have completed or awards you’ve won. Note any certifications you might have earned from your training program or from industry trainings. Make sure your contact information is clearly visible and accurate. And customize your resume for the job you want to get.

Network In-Person and Online to Become an Executive Assistant

Since EAs work closely with top executives, having the right connections can open doors to a future job. Start with your school’s Career Services department. They may host career fairs and networking events or even have direct connections to employers. And your instructors may be able to point you in the right direction.

It’s also worthwhile to find your own networking events. Attend industry-specific events (business conferences, corporate networking meetups) where executives and hiring managers look for support staff. And consider joining administrative and EA organizations, like the International Association of Administrative Professionals or Executive Assistants Organization.

Also, network online. Create a professional LinkedIn profile with a strong summary highlighting your administrative skills, coursework, and career goals. Follow industry leaders and Executive Assistants who share insights about the profession and engage with content on the platform. Review and join LinkedIn groups such as Executive Assistants and Administrative Professionals – The Leader Assistant Community

Find an Executive Assistant or Business Mentor

During all that networking, keep an eye out for someone who might be a mentor. A mentor can share their experiences with you, including the lessons they’ve learned and what employers want from their EAs. They can also offer tips on how to climb the ladder and possibly workshop your resume with you. When you find someone you admire, just ask them if they’d be willing to guide you along. If they say no, you can always ask if they know someone else who might be up for the task.

Look for Executive Assistant Jobs

If you’re an administrative assistant looking to bump up to an EA, start within your own organization. Are any executives looking for your skillset? You can also look for Executive Assistant jobs on LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter. Or check company career pages of major corporations, startups, and nonprofits. And consider staffing agencies that specialize in administrative roles.

Maintain & Grow Your Business Network

You have a mentor and a network. Cultivate both. Even if you’ve already secured an EA position, stay in touch with follow-up messages and regular check-ins. Follow your people and like and comment on their interests and successes. Share articles on LinkedIn. And as you develop relationships, be on the lookout for people who might refer you to new EA openings. You never know when you’ll be ready to make a move.

Are you interested in a career as an Executive Assistant? Contact Charter College today. We offer a an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management degree program, and a Business Administration Bachelor’s degree completion program—both delivered online. Fill out the form to find out which might get you ready for a career as an Executive Assistant.