How to Hire a Great Executive Assistant

How to Hire a Great Executive AssistantHow to Hire a Great Executive AssistantA top-notch executive assistant helps keep an executives life running smoothly. Perhaps not surprisingly, executive assistant jobs involve a range of important responsibilities, often including managing the bosss calendar, screening calls, scheduling meetings, preparing financial and data reports, and helping to coordinate projects - and this is just a partial list.Exceptional executive assistants do it all. Theyre technical whizzes, masters of time management and extraordinary team players who work well with all levels of internal management and staff. In short, an outstanding executive assistant is indispensable to an organization - which is why hiring an executive assistant is so important.What do you need in this vital role?The first step when recruiting for an executive assistant is knowing which skills and attributes are essential to your particular organization - and to you. Look for candidates wh o possess strong ?software skills, internet research capabilities and advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. Ideal candidates also should have a working knowledge of database management software, such as Microsoft Access and FileMaker Pro, or other specialized software used by your firm.Because the person interacts with everyone from clients to vendors, an executive assistant should have excellent verbal and written communication skills. An executive assistant is often the go-to person in their bosss absence, so he or she should have good problem-solving and ?leadership ?skills. Since the assistant is sometimes privy to sensitive information, its essential that this administrative professional can be relied upon to maintain strict confidentiality.?Keys to hiring an executive assistantOf course, knowing what to look for in an executive assistant is one thing. Knowing the best way to hire one is another. Finding a skilled executive assistant requires more time an d expertise than most managers think. Consider using a specialized ?professional staffing agency ?to help you find the right person fast. Recruiters have access to a broader range of candidates for executive assistant jobs, can vet applicants more quickly, and can keep you abreast of the latest administrative hiring and compensation trends.START HIRING NOWHere are more tips on hiring an executive assistant1. Pinpoint their dutiesBe sure to list all the responsibilities in your ?job description that the executive assistant is expected to handle, and be specific. Do you require your executive assistant to give PowerPoint ?presentations or stand in for you at meetings? Will he or she be in charge of managing and training support staff? The job description should serve as the grund for the job posting, so the more detailed you are in writing it, the more effective it will be in attracting the right candidates.2. Evaluate the candidate as a whole?When reviewing resumes, look to see if ca ndidates have all the attributes needed for the position. Just because an applicant is an experienced administrative assistant, dont assume he or she has what it takes to transition to an executive assistant role. Both positions share a basic core skill set, but an executive assistants role requires more initiative, problem-solving and self-discipline. When evaluating candidates for executive assistant jobs, dig deeper for indications of these and other skills by also considering volunteering activities or involvement in professional organizations.3. Fine-tune your interview questionsYou can gauge whether a candidate is self-directed enough for an executive assistant position by assessing the way he or she answers thought-provoking questions during the?interview process. Asking someone how he or she would handle an urgent matter if a senior manager couldnt be reached is a way to determine whether the candidate has the problem-solving skills needed for the job.4. Know what to pay an executive assistantAccording to the 2019 OfficeTeam Salary Guide, the midpoint salary for an executive assistant in the United States is $53,250.With increasing levels of responsibility come rising salaries. The midpoint salary for a senior executive assistant is $61,250.The salaries listed in the Salary Guide reflect starting pay only and are based on actual placements throughout the United States, as well as an analysis of the demand for the role, the supply of talent and other market conditions. At the midpoint, candidates have average experience with the necessary skills to meet the job requirements, and the role may be in an industry where competition for talent is moderate.Salaries range from city to city. Use our Salary Calculator to find out what executive assistant salaries are offered in your market. Tags