Current job title: Executive
Administrative Assistant
Industry: Banking
Department: Executive Department.
Chairman; and, President &CEO
Years worked in this industry: 1
Years worked in this department: 1
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): I had been
an executive assistant for a year at a media consulting firm before I took
the position in banking. I told my boss during my interview that I had no
background in banking; this didn’t seem to effect his decision in offering
me the job.
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: 2
Typical work hours: 8-5
Weekends or overtime hours: No
weekends, sometimes I will work past 5pm depending on the workload of the
day. I am salaried so there is no overtime and they don’t offer comp time.
General salary range
(Note: This is a general figure or range provided by survey respondent and may
NOT be an exact salary in order to
give survey respondent some privacy. Also you must take into account that
the number of years worked in industry/department may contribute to this
salary as well as criteria such as level of position and person reports
to, required hours and geographical location.): $28,000 - $47,000
(I also work in an incredibly
rural area so my salary may not be much to most people, but the cost of
living is not much so for the area it is pretty decent)
Benefits (direct or indirect): Yes,
Health, Dental, 401(k), life insurance, paid vacation and sick time, etc.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
A typical day on the job: Depends,
everyday is different and brings its own challenges. What I love about my
job is that there is no typical day.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: I would have to admit that I
don’t know much about my ‘industry’. When I took my position I was new to
corporate America (I had previously worked in small offices) and to
banking as an industry. I had never worked with a Board of Directors and
Committees, so there was a huge learning curve when I started. After being
here for a year I have finally gotten the mechanics of the job down, so I
will now have time to start learning about my industry.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: See above
Type of workspace/office:
a concave space outside the president’s office (walls on 3 sides and the 4th side
is open to the hallway that leads to the president’s office. Besides the
president’s office it is the best seat in the house.)
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position:
Manage the daily, weekly,
monthly calendar, customer contacts and workflow of the CEO & Chariman
Compose letters, memoranda, and administrative reports, Board meeting
packages and assists Board Committee Chairs as requested.
Prepares and maintains accurate, organized and complete corporate records
such as Board minutes, correspondence with regulatory agencies and other
official records. Maintains minutes of various Board Committee meetings.
Is thoroughly familiar with the executive’s job function to assume some of
workload.
Ongoing review of the status of projects and activities of individuals and
departments under the executive’s authority. Keeps the executive informed
on progress and takes initiative to ensure projects and initiatives are
progressing.
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
Flexible & Adaptable – Things change very quickly, you must be able to
change directions quickly and without getting frustrated.
Self-Motivated – I am one of the only people in the company without a
department and my boss is regularly out of the office. If I wasn’t able to
work independently and without constant direction nothing would ever get
done.
Good Communication Skills – I work with executive management and the Board
of Directors, I am constantly thrown on new projects with new people in
different departments and am constantly having to communicate with all
levels. Everyone works differently and responds to requests differently;
it has been interesting learning people’s personalities and determining
the best way to get what I need out of them. I have definitely learned
that you can always get what you want; you just have to know how to ask.
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Computer, fax, copy machine, telephone
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Critical soft skills:
Good communication is key; if I can’t communicate I can’t perform my job
functions.
Listening skills – executives don’t want to tell you over and over what
they need.
Ability to learn – there is always a new project or the need to interface
with another department. I have to be able to do something even if it
isn’t anything that I have done before.
Pace of this position: Varies during
month--average to fast to hectic.
Geographical region: Northeast U.S.
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