Current job title: Executive Assistant
Industry: Pharmaceutical
Department: National Sales
Years worked in this industry: 2
Years worked in this department: 2
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): I had
worked in the health insurance industry for 14 years supporting the vice
president of the [large city] office. My medical background helped me to
land this position, but I had many, many things to learn about the
pharmaceutical industry. It is different than any other industry I have
worked in during my 25 years in the administrative field. I spent the
entire first year reading every pharmaceutical magazine/article I could
find as well as picking the brains of my boss and counterparts who had
worked in this industry for many years. I have also participated in my
boss’s meetings and conference calls to learn everything I could about the
pharmaceutical industry. I finally feel that I know what I need to know to
be extremely successful in this industry, but I am still always looking
for additional information.
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: Directly, one high
level national sales director and indirectly eight staff comprised of directors
and business managers
Typical work hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00
p.m.
Weekends or overtime hours: I work
overtime when I am getting ready for a big management meeting getting
reports, agendas and binders containing all of the documents for
discussion for the meeting that my national sales director will be
conducting. I get paid time and a half for overtime.
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.): The range for
my current position is $50,000 to $65,000 based on my 25 years of
experience in the administrative field.
Benefits (direct or indirect): We have
great health benefits and we also receive the drugs free that our company
sells. We have dollar for dollar match on our 401K up to the full 6% as
well as a company sponsored retirement cash account which they put money
into each year based on our performance rating and years of service. We have
three weeks vacation plus eight personal days and nine holidays. Additionally, we
receive an administrative bonus yearly based on performance rating as well
as company profit for the year. I also travel about six times per year all
expenses paid to some wonderful locations and beautiful resorts for
meetings.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
1. pharmacokinetics is the mathematics of the time course of absorption,
distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs in the body. Through
pharmacokinetics, the pharmacist is able to individualize drug therapy for
the patient.
2. contraindication: A factor that renders the administration of a drug or
the carrying out of a medical procedure inadvisable such as a side effect
from a drug due to a previous condition or disease.
3. formulary: list of pharmaceutical substances along with their formulas,
uses, and methods of preparation as well as preferred generic and
brand-name drugs covered under your outpatient prescription drug benefit
subject to applicable limits and conditions.
A typical day on the job: There is no
typical day in this job – every day is different depending on what types
of meetings/calls the national sales director has for the day or what
projects/presentations/calls/meetings we are working on for that day.
That’s what makes this job so interesting and demanding. The only typical
duties that I definitely do every day are voicemails and e-mails.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: 1. Salary, 2. benefits and 3.
reputation (administrative professional in this industry are looked upon
with great respect).
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Can’t think of anything I
would change about this position or this company.
Type of workspace/office:
office with beautiful cherry furniture.
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position:
1. Planning management meetings at resorts from reservations to catering
selections.
2. Managing the office during my boss’s extensive travel schedule.
3. monitoring e-mails, projects/requests and voicemails for my boss during
his absence and ensuring that all of his projects/requests are completed
in a timely manner.
4. Review numerous performance reports and complete spreadsheets, charts
and graphs showing the total performance of the nation at a glance.
5. Prepare and create impressive PowerPoint presentations for my boss for
his presentation at national/regional meetings
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
1. 10 years administrative experience
2. extensive experience in Excel and PowerPoint proven by a test
3. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal
skills.
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Computer, scanner, printer, fax machine, copier, postage meter
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Intranet and internet, Excel, Powerpoint, three web portals for internal
reports review, Microsoft Outlook
Critical soft skills: Negotiating
skills for planning meetings and activities, excellent verbal and written
communication skills and exceptional interpersonal skills
Pace of this position: Definitely fast
paced especially since we are in the middle of a large expansion program
after buying another pharmaceutical company
Geographical region: Northeast US
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