14 Vital Skills to Become a Top-Tier Executive Assistant

Are you looking to become a top-tier executive assistant? If so, you need to have the right skills and qualities to stand out from the crowd. A great executive assistant is resourceful, innovative, and proactive. They think independently and don't need much supervision or direction. They are natural decision makers, with the ability to think under pressure and show good judgment.

To help you become a top-tier management professional, we've put together a list of 14 vital executive assistant skills. These include being able to prioritize tasks, mastering Microsoft Office, being able to work well under pressure, and understanding the habits and needs of their boss. Additionally, executive assistants should be able to present big ideas clearly and concisely, anticipate and overcome obstacles before they occur, and keep up with the latest applications and solutions on the market. If you're planning to expand your team, it's essential to understand the skills and qualities of the senior executive assistant.

To help you develop your skills with people, check out Inc's 10 Commandments of Emotional Intelligence. And if this crazy but highly rewarding career path seems right for you, read on for more information about the 14 vital executive assistant skills.

Prioritize Tasks

When it comes to managing tasks as an executive assistant, it's important to prioritize them. Give each task 100% of your attention, even if your thoughts are focused on all the pending tasks that you need to tackle next. Many foremen rely on the Pomodoro Technique to review their to-do lists.

Master Microsoft Office

One of the main technical skills of executive assistants is the mastery of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.

This will make their work much easier when it comes to data entry, record keeping and record keeping.

Work Well Under Pressure

Executives have demanding and high-pressure jobs, and there may be times when their assistants need to work well under pressure, especially when deadlines must be met.

Understand Habits & Needs of Boss

By using their experience and understanding both potential situations and the habits and needs of their boss, a great executive assistant can anticipate and overcome obstacles before they occur.

Present Big Ideas Clearly & Concisely

Your company's best executive assistant will be able to present big ideas clearly and concisely to achieve outstanding achievements.

Keep Up With Latest Applications & Solutions

Because of rapidly changing work environments and technological advances, executive assistants are working and occupying even more functions than before. As such, they should keep up with the latest applications and solutions on the market.

Be Strategic & AnalyticalThe advancement of technology has made the role of an executive assistant less administrative and more strategic or analytical.

Be a Human Swiss Army Knife

Executive assistants are essentially the human equivalent of a Swiss Army knife for your organization. As such, they should be able to handle a variety of tasks with ease.

Be Ready for Anything

A dull moment is a rarity and a luxury for an executive assistant. They should always be ready for anything that comes their way.

Be the Company's First Point of Contact

An executive assistant is often the company's first point of contact with which a customer comes into contact.

As such, they should be friendly, professional, and knowledgeable.

Advance Your Career & Add More Value

That's why USA Today described the executive assistant as Silicon Valley's “power role” and reported that it's not uncommon for EAs in the tech mecca to get six figures. That said, this is the best way to advance your career and add more value as an executive assistant.

Use TravelPerk for Travel Management SaaS

G2 classifies TravelPerk as one of the leading travel management SaaS in the market. Executive assistants should consider using this platform for their travel management needs.