The Changing Landscape of Executive Assistant Hiring Practices
Gone are the days when technical skills and years of experience were the only prerequisites for a successful hire as an Executive Assistant (EA). Today, there is a shift in hiring practices for EAs within the corporate world.
Employers are looking for more than just experience, technical expertise, and an impressive resume.
They are seeking individuals who possess the correct balance of soft skills, the power of strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, empathy, and exceptional communication skills. This evolution is driven by the new economy, which relies heavily on innovation and creativity. In this article, we explore how hiring practices for EAs have changed and what it means for the future of the EA profession.
The Power of Strategic Thinking
With the role's evolution, particular terms have also been 'decommissioned' such as gatekeeper or an executive's 'right-hand' person. EAs of today are more readily characterized as business partners and must show strategic thinking in their work. They need to be proactive when they can and react swiftly when required. They must not merely be problem solvers but also be able to escalate issues before they become a crisis. EAs must display autonomy while remaining in sync with their boss and their vision for the company. They need to know how to handle situations with poise and finesse.
Emotional Intelligence and Empathy
In the past, EAs were hired mainly for their task-management skills. Nowadays, soft skills such as emotional intelligence and empathy are vital. Understanding the executive's emotions has become one of the main criteria for an effective EA. EAs must know how to handle situations with diplomacy and sensitivity and show respect for all internal and external stakeholders. This new hiring practice is because of the explosion of research on how emotional compatibility impacts productivity and morale.
Exceptional Communication Skills
EAs must constantly communicate with stakeholders at every level regularly. Not only must they be articulate and grammatically sound, but they must also have the emotional acumen to read and respond to whomever they are communicating with. These skills are not just limited to the written form but must be present in person, whether through virtual meetings or in-person conversations. In today's world, clear and precise communication can lead to the success or failure of significant projects.
The Role-Specific Skills
Even though soft skills are imperative and success-defining professional acumen, it still doesn't mean that all technical skills are no longer relevant. The duties of an EA are evolving, including new creative ways to manage administrative tasks, project management, and optimizing technology related to the role. Technical skills demonstrating the EA's knowledge of systems, software, programs, and other technical knowledge are still valuable for success in these roles. MBA programs and Project Management certifications or courses have become prevalent in the hiring process for senior-level EAs as it exudes their desire to grow beyond their work's traditional scope and add value to the executive's needs.
The Benefits of These Changes
The shift in EA hiring practices has several benefits for the future of the Executive Assistant profession, specifically:
It elevates the level of professionalism of the EA role by highlighting what used to be intangibles;
It provides EAs that possess these unique skills the ability to negotiate better salary structures because of the competitive demand for these skill sets; and
This shift offers avenues for career growth and new opportunities for EAs, allowing them to expand their roles beyond traditional communications and administrative tasks.
Executive support roles are essential for the success of any organization. Their functions extend beyond timekeepers - they are connectors, translators, and, most importantly, trust-builders for the executive.
The shift in hiring practices is a positive one that brings new opportunities to the profession and those striving to make it a long-term career. With an array of skills needed, there's no question that being an outstanding Executive Assistant is anything but effortless.
In this regard, take the time to reflect on your unique abilities and experience that can add value to a current or prospective employer. Highlight your skills and achievements to showcase your strengths.
The rewards are significant when executive support professionals are chosen for their abilities and character traits that extend beyond technical experience and tenure. Through this perspective, we can more readily acknowledge and elevate the crucial role that executive assistants play in organizations, highlighting their importance in the grand scheme of things.
What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments.