Current job title: Executive Assistant
Industry: Biotech
Department: Finance
Years worked in this industry: Less
than 5
Years worked in this department: 4
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): 20 years
experience as administrative assistant
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: 3 managers, approx. 40 staff
members
Typical work hours: Approx. 45/week
Weekends or overtime hours: No
weekends, some over time and yes, I get paid
for it.
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.): $50,000 – $65,000
annually
Benefits (direct or indirect): Health
coverage, time off (3 weeks per year)
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
Fiscal year = starts on July 1 and ends on June 30.
Forecast = to
projects earnings, spending for future time
Quarter Close = Accounting
is closing the books for the fiscal quarter which is a three-month time
period.
A typical day on the job: I do a lot of
scheduling of meetings, travel arrangements, order computers, processing
expense reports. It can vary day to day.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry:
1. Independence.
2. For the most part, able to take the lead on what I am doing, not
mico-managed.
3. Challenge to keep it all together and maintain efficiently and a
sense of calmness within oneself.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry:
1. Often not perceived as
important/professional.
2. Under compensated for value of work being
done.
3. Looked down upon when making small mistakes, as if credibility
is downplayed.
Type of workspace/office:
cubicle
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position:
1. Coordinating meetings
2.Answering executive’s phone
3. Arranging travel
4. Keeping my manager’s calendars straight for them
5. Scheduling interviews
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
1.
Very detail oriented
2. Good listener
3. Flexible
person, easy to change directions quickly.
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Fax machine, copy machine
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Computer
Critical soft skills: Professionalism,
because I am on the
executive floor with other administrators who support the President, CFO
etc. It’s important for how people perceive you as well. Know where to
prioritize incoming requests. Because there are so many requests coming
in from all directions, I have to know which ones to do in what order or
I will miss deadlines or cause staff to miss deadlines. Good listener- all details are often given very quickly. If you have to get
clarification, you will have to track someone down and that takes time.
People don’t want to have to take time to explain things over and over.
It takes their valuable time. Best to listen and get it right the first
time.
Pace of this position: Between average
and fast.
Geographical region: West U.S.
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™