Are you the kind of person who pays close attention to detail and patterns, maybe without realizing it sometimes? Do you like to stay on top of everything that’s going on, always thinking a few steps ahead to have things ready when they’re needed? Do you thrive when you’re given responsibilities that other people would see as punishment?

You might have a bright future as an executive assistant.

These powerhouses are the backbone of a successful business or office, keeping everything running smoothly and addressing problems before they even develop. Executive assistants are the right hand to busy executives and managers, anticipating needs and handling things as they come up. They’re also crucial to keeping productivity where it should be and making sure everyone on the team has what they need quickly.

Here are some skills and abilities executive assistants have and why they matter.

Organization

Executive assistants know where everything is. They have systems in place for keeping track of details large and small, like knowing that receipts go in one folder and expense reports go into another, while invoices to be paid are in a third and pending bills to be paid are in a third. There will be color-coding systems and filing techniques that help make any bit of information findable at a moment’s notice. They’ll also make sure all supplies are well stocked and available when needed, without running out or falling behind. Beyond that, executive assistants can help keep track of events, from office birthdays to vacations and conferences to client meetings, to ensure every day is dedicated to the task at hand.

Communication

Executive assistants can be the hub of activity and information come into and out of a team. They can write effective emails on a variety of topics with little help (a new executive assistant will need training to understand the company’s internal language, of course) and can help effectively share information and details with teams as needed. They can also act as a point person for projects that involve multiple teams or departments within a company, making sure everyone is on the same page while also answering questions that might pop up. In some offices, executive assistants are the main note taker during important meetings, releasing and sharing those minutes to all involved parties quickly to keep things on track.

Boost Productivity

By managing calendars, setting meetings, organizing events, ordering supplies, handling some tasks and completing other assignments, executive assistants can help open up more of their manager’s day and time. This allows the person to tend to the important, time-consuming work at hand, instead of having to dedicate time or interrupt work to handle things that might become distractions. They can also help with little niceties: if a big client is coming into town, an executive assistant can handle travel arrangements, restaurant reservations, maybe even line up some entertainment options, all to help impress the client (and the boss while they’re at it) and land the deal. Or they can single-handedly feel the temperature of the room if there’s frustration or stress increasing among other employees and can let their manager know something needs to be done before things get out of hand, helping to keep communication flowing and problems solved before the drama overflows.

Keep Your Phones Under Control

Executive assistants are the 21st century version of those old switchboard operators: All incoming communication, whether by phone, email or mail, will go through them first. Messages can be relayed or handled based on their importance and whether they need to be handed up to the executive. Incoming emails can be diverted and assigned as needed — maybe the executive doesn’t need to see a particular communication but a manager does instead; the assistant will know the difference and will handle it accordingly. Incoming calls can be turned into short messages, or scheduled meetings, or sent to email depending on the caller. The assistant will learn to know which items are important and which are potential time wasters. Transferring calls to the appropriate person helps streamline everyone’s day!

If you have great communication and organizational skills and thrive under pressure, a new career as an executive assistant might be perfect for you! These highly respected, in-demand positions are often well compensated for their dedication and loyalty to their company and their executive, earning great pay and benefits while knowing you’re the nerve center of the office.

Looking For A New Job in Hawaii?

Ready to make a change? Want to learn more about what an executive assistant does? Call Bishop and Company today! Take a look at the positions we have available and talk with one of our recruiters about whether you have the skills needed to excel in the position — we can even help you apply! Call Bishop and Company today and let’s get to work.