The online Executive Assistant is an innovative professional figure, defined in all respects as the evolution of the traditional secretary. This important professional figure, in fact, collaborates with companies and top managers and supports them, dealing with various important organizational and executive tasks, also working remotely.
Although it has always been a role purely for women, men are also successfully entering it. Naturally, digital and web marketing skills are essential nowadays to cover this profession, which is why I recommend our free Internet Marketing Course.
Below, I want to explain who he is, what he does, and how to become an online Executive Assistant.
Executive Assistant Skills
Being an innovative professional figure who performs complex tasks, a management assistant must possess multiple and transversal skills, the perfect mix of hard and soft skills. Here are the most requested skills to find a job as an executive assistant:
- use of personal computer;
- knowledge of English and other foreign languages;
- organizational skills and attention to detail;
- communication skills both in writing and speaking;
- problem-solving skills and confidentiality.
Whether you work as an Executive Office Assistant or as an Executive Assistant to CEO, it is essential to have the aforementioned requirements. Schedule management, relationships with partners and customers, and knowing how to manage one’s working time well are just some of the skills required, and they don’t always turn out to be easy and spontaneous activities.
Therefore, one must have the right attitude and be well prepared in order to perform well.
But how do you become an Executive Assistant online? I’ll explain it to you right away.
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How to become an assistant manager
Knowledge of foreign languages, coming from humanities or marketing degrees, is a good starting point. You may have often heard of courses for secretarial work, accounting and administration courses, or courses for Executive Assistants, but you may have noticed that they only partially train you because, more often than not, aspects related to the web are not dealt with in detail.
So here’s the secret to becoming an online executive assistant. Precisely because this figure works through digital channels and tools, he needs extensive knowledge of web marketing: he must be able to master blogs, sites, emails, newsletters, and all digital tools in the best possible way.
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WEB MARKETING MANAGER CERTIFICATION
What does an executive assistant do?
The duties of an Executive Assistant are manifold since he is a professional figure with an increasingly important role within company processes. Indeed, it carries out tasks of great responsibility both at a strategic and operational level.
The work of a management assistant is often assimilated to that of a traditional secretary, but in reality, it performs even more innovative tasks. The peculiarity of this profession lies in the possibility of carrying out her role online, working remotely. Here are some of her main responsibilities:
- manage the administrative and bureaucratic aspects (for example, making payments to the bank, issuing invoices and reports relating to the company, managing personnel practices, such as holidays, permits, etc.);
- manage the manager’s agenda and travel (organizing meetings and scheduling all meetings and appointments for the manager, as well as planning company travel);
- write texts and documents (such as communications, reports of company meetings, translation of texts into other languages);
- sort emails and phone calls (for example addressing the various messages to the relevant departments of the company);
- work with online tools and channels (manage blogs and websites, send newsletters and take care of e-commerce assistance);
- do market research (to make marketing decisions, important to the company);
- solve unforeseen events and problems that arise in real-time (for example, appointments or meetings to be moved, interfacing with customers, and managing internal company conflicts).
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What is a typical day like for an executive assistant?
As I told you, in order to become a successful Executive Assistant, the fundamental requirement is an excellent knowledge of digital channels and tools, which are used every day during the working day. Starting from this premise, it is easy to understand that the first thing an assistant manager does as soon as he sits down at his workstation is to turn on his computer.
From now on, he will have to keep a tight work rhythm and stay focused so as not to miss anything and not forget any deadlines. Multitasking, i.e., being able to perform multiple actions simultaneously, is certainly a plus.
After checking the daily deadlines, the executive assistant proceeds to manage the appointments on the agenda, carry out administrative tasks, answer emails and phone calls, take care of the company blog, to resolve any problems that may arise in real-time, in addition to all to take care of all the tasks explained above.
At the end of the day, most of the goals set must be achieved, both to prevent work from accumulating in the following days and to ensure that the company is performing at its best.
This is the job description for an Executive Assistant. Do you want to find out more about taking care of your image? Then I suggest you continue reading.
How important is the image for an assistant manager?
Many jobs that take place in the presence require a certain bearing, correct posture, and the right clothing to make your self-image more authoritative in the eyes of others. In fact, if you are an Executive Assistant, it is essential to take care of your image.
You have to appear relaxed and move with slow but decisive gestures, remaining composed, avoiding bending your back and hiding your hands. It is important to appear confident and look the interlocutor in the eye, smiling. It is good to always have tidy hair and, in the case of women, to wear sober make-up and take care of their fingernails.
At the same time, clothing must also remain sober, more or less formal, depending on the company you work for. The accessories (such as the bag and the diary) must be kept in excellent condition and in an orderly manner. All this shows that you are attentive and interested in your work.
Now that you understand how important it is to take care of the image of the executive assistant if you work face-to-face, I want to tell you a little more about this job. Have you ever wondered if this profession can also take place online? If yes, you will find the answer as you continue reading.
Virtual executive assistant
As you may have noticed, nowadays, it is possible to carry out numerous professions online; in this way, the executive assistant becomes a remote Virtual Executive Assistant. Have you ever thought about how useful it can be for a company to be supported by a virtual assistant?
The tasks he performs are the same as the traditional Executive Assistant. The job, however, can be done optimally, though you are not physically present in the office. In fact, the right equipment (pc and smartphone) and in-depth knowledge of channels, tools, apps, and the company itself are sufficient to be able to support it every day in the best possible way, carrying out the tasks that I explained to you in the previous paragraphs.
Working in smart working, the Executive Assistant has more flexibility and can support the staff without the time and space limits. Basically, the physical secretariat becomes virtual, and you can take care of the various activities more easily, working from the comfort of your home.
How much does an Executive Assistant make?
To find out what the salary of an Executive Assistant is, you need to keep in mind that varies based on several factors:
- the working context within which one is inserted;
- the prestige of the company for which you work;
- the number of hours worked;
- the experience accumulated over the years.
For this reason, it is not possible to make precise estimates.
For an “entry-level” position you can earn around $30,000 per year, while more experienced executive assistants, who work closely with CEOs, can come to earn even $43,000 a year.
In fact, nowadays no company can do without Web Marketing and, having to make a job offer to an Executive Assistant, it will certainly look for someone who is trained in this area. Therefore, I advise you to deepen your knowledge on the topic by reading how important web marketing is.
Conclusions
Now you will surely have a better understanding of who he is, what he does, and how to become an Executive Assistant online. If you think this profession is like a suit that fits you perfectly, don’t waste time and start your training now! In the coming years, it will tend to be even more in demand, and, who knows, maybe one day, the secretariats will move completely online.
If you want to become an Executive Assistant or another digital professional, talk to us! Our coaches will help you understand which training path to take
