Current job title: Executive
Assistant/Department Coordinator
Industry: Pharmaceutical
Department: Cancer Research &
Dermatology Research Departments
Years worked in this industry: 9+
Years worked in this department: 9+
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): This
position requires a lot of multitasking and working with a lot of
different cultures. Prior to working here, I freelanced in the film and
video industry which gave me plenty of multi-tasking experience.
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: 2 directors and 36
scientists/technicians
Typical work hours: 8:30 – 5:00
Weekends or overtime hours: I work as
long as it takes and no I do not get paid overtime. However, my employer
supports all my IAAP activities, including conferences. There are times
when I come in on a Saturday or Sunday because there are no interruptions
and I can get eight hours worth of work done in four hours.
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.): There are
three
levels ranging from $60,000 – $85,000
Benefits (direct or indirect):
Excellent benefits (HMO partially paid) domestic partner benefits, CITE
Award (for Creativity, Initiative, Teamwork, and Employee Development)
which includes cash and company stock (I have received several CITE Awards
over the years), Employee Assistance Network, etc.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
Our terms are more specific to the company rather than the industry. Since
I’m not a scientist, I can’t think of anything.
A typical day on the job: A typical day
involves initiating and/or getting approval/signatures for legal
documents, shipping documents or compounds as requested, scheduling
meetings, seminars, travel & conference registration(s),
processing/approving invoices, completing/processing capital equipment
purchasing forms, supervising/ training two administrative interns,
assignments as requested from headquarters, assisting/filling in
for other admins as needed, ordering catering for meetings, processing
expense reports for senior staff, etc.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Working with people from
different cultures, being the person everyone comes to for assistance, and
never being bored
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Although it doesn’t happen
often, I hate making a mistake or forgetting to do something before
deadline
Type of workspace/office:
cubicle with a door in the hallway.
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: See response to "a typical
day" above and pick any 5.
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement: A
sense of humor, the ability to think and the ability to be flexible. It
would help if they could type and had good writing skills.
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
computer, copier, faxes, plotter
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Word Processing
Critical soft skills: Must exhibit good
communication and writing skills because we receive a lot of
correspondence and calls from people who have English as a second
language.
Pace of this position: Fast
Geographical region: Southwest U.S.
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™