Current job title: Executive Assistant
Industry: Real Estate
Department: Corporate Real Estate
Years worked in this industry: 8
Years worked in this department: 5
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): You must
be detail oriented, organized, a quick study and have the ability to learn
by doing with no training. Must thrive in an ‘edge of your seat’
atmosphere.
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: 1 executive (we manage
remote teams across U.S.)
Typical work hours: 8 am – 5 pm
Weekends or overtime hours: Occasional
weekend work and all overtime is paid
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.): $29,000 to $45,000
Benefits (direct or indirect): Health
including vision and prescriptions, dental, life, disability (long and
short), 401K, employer stock plan, employee stock purchase plan
scholarship program, 9 paid holidays, vacation, FMLA, Flexible Benefits
program
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
ROI – Return on Investment. The overall profit (or loss) on an investment
expressed as a percentage of the total investment
NRSF – Net rentable square feet. The useable footage that is available to
be rented
LOI – Letter of Intent. A formal method of stating that a prospective
buyer or lessee is interested in the property under certain key terms such
as price and contingencies, but is not a formal offer and creates no
obligation
A typical day on the job: Be ready for
anything. Very difficult to pin this job down to a routine. A major
responsibility is monitoring the project costs as well as office budgets.
Communication is another huge chunk and critical because our teams are
spread throughout the U.S. Deadlines and last minute crises are the rule,
not the exception.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: It builds multi-tasking skills
and a ‘survivor’ mind-set; offers plenty of opportunity to step up to the
plate and make decisions, develop leadership skills and work outside your
comfort zone.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: It is always intense and high
pressure; many last minute crises
Type of workspace/office:
cubicle (4-workstation pod)
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: Event planning, trade show
coordination, monitoring project costs, monitoring office
budgets/approving expense reports
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement: Works
well in fast-paced/high pressure environment; flexible in handling change;
effective communicator and team builder
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Computer, scanner, printer, copier, shredder, fax
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Typing, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Publisher, Lawson (accounting), Olap
(online analytical tool), Word
Critical soft skills: Communication is
critical because of the need to be effective in managing teams in remote
locations. Analytical and troubleshooting skills are necessary to spot
trends, manage budgets, and identify issues when they are small and easily
resolved.
Pace of this position: Fast
Geographical region: Southwestern U.S.
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™