Current job title: Executive Assistant
Industry: Financial Services
Department: Corporate Strategy
Years worked in this industry: 2
Years worked in this department: less
than 1 year
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): Vast
experience with multiple computer software applications, mostly Microsoft
Office; also being a quick learner with technology / applications so as to
not waste time learning new skills. Also, my experience with many writing
practices in a liberal arts school helped to sharpen my writing skills
(emails, memos, letters) in my current position. My manager often has me
draft correspondence on his behalf, so I have to think & write like he
does.
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: Currently 2 executives (and
provide a minimal level of support to 2 other executives and a team of 12
VPs)
Typical work hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Weekends or overtime hours: No
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.): approx. $42,000
Benefits (direct or indirect): Yes –
great benefits with the company I work for (which all full-time associates
receive): health care, 401K / matching, pension, discounts/perks on
financial services, discounts with partnered companies, support programs,
and a multitude of other specialized benefits.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
Not specific to my industry, but the word “deck” or “dec” is used a great
deal to mean a presentation. A lot of other financial acronyms are used
such as NIBT-- net income before tax.
A typical day on the job: My manager
works remotely from another city than I work in, so we have a different
relationship than most executives / assistants. We do a lot of emailing,
phone, & instant messaging conversations to discuss tasks. I handle items
as they come into me, based on their priority, so every day is different!
When my manager is in town with me, I prepare his folder each morning,
including his daily schedule, weekly schedule, and any presentations or
meeting materials.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Great pay, great benefits,
great exposure to a thriving industry, GREAT holiday schedule (banking
holidays)
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: I can’t think of one!
Type of workspace/office:
cubicle
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position:
1) Enhance the job productivity of the executive I directly support.
2) Enhance the job productivity of the other executives / associates that
I support.
3) Stay informed & knowledgeable on my company and division, products, and
projects related to my position.
4) Organize & orchestrate the appropriate conversations / meetings for the
executives & associates that I support.
5) Seek to enhance my job productivity through new skills & training.
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
1) Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook &
PowerPoint
2) Quick learner
3) Excellent communication skills
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Color & B/W networked printers; laptop w/monitor & docking station;
copy
machine; electric staplers
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Microsoft Applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Communicator,
Visio; Adobe Acrobat Professional; Various internal corporate systems
(document repository, travel, expenses, supply ordering, intranet, etc.)
Critical soft skills: Communication
skills (both listening & speaking/writing) because it’s imperative for an
administrative assistant to understand what is being asked / communicated
to him / her, and it’s also imperative to send the correct messages to
your audience, with the right amount of clarity & brevity. Being a quick
learner is also very important because it frees up the time that would be
spent trying to figure things out for handling your actual tasks & duties.
Pace of this position: Currently slow
(used to be fast)
Geographical region: Southeast
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™