Executive Assistant (Finance)

How do you feel about the vast majority of EA's being female?

Asked by katastro almost 13 years ago

I will simply cut and paste my answer from above: Don't give a rat's butt. At my company, there are also many women in Sr and/or management positions. Many EA's have families, or just simply like the job and the hours. It isn't prejudice, sexism or anti-woman tendencies. It is just what people choose.

What were you doing in academia? Do you feel overqualified to be an executive assistant?

Asked by jEtS almost 13 years ago

Yes, absolutely overqualified. However, an advance degree in Religious Studies does not qualify one for well-paying jobs. I am qualified to teach, do museum work, archival work, non-profit, etc. I am making a big career and life change, and I am open to working my way up. My job is only a contract job, so I hope to advance after my contract is up in the fall.

How do you feel about almost all EA's being female?

Asked by katastro almost 13 years ago

Don't give a rat's butt. At my company, there are also many women in Sr and/or management positions. Many EA's have families, or just simply like the job and the hours. It isn't prejudice, sexism or anti-woman tendencies. It is just what people choose.

If you support five execs at once, how can you do your job well for any one of them?

Asked by jaime almost 13 years ago

Hi, I can't tell if your question is snide or sincere, but here is my answer: I work very hard. 2 of them are relatively low maintenance. The other 3 are very busy with insane schedules. I get into work at 8am and leave b/w 5 and 6pm. That being said, I check email starting at 7am, and I usually work from home for a little bit each night. Also, I don't screw around at work. I almost never surf the internet or take personal calls. It isn't difficult, you just have to do it.

Do your bosses allow you to keep a normal schedule, or are they bugging you for stuff around the clock?

Asked by Aileen almost 13 years ago

They allow me to keep a normal schedule. Sept. is really busy, so I get into the office around 7:45am, but I usually leave at 5pm. However, I usually check my Blackberry around 8pm to make sure there are no "fires". I also sometimes work for an hour or two on the weekends. All-in-all, my schedule is pretty awesome1

What do you do if a boss is asking you to do a lot of his or her personal stuff and it's affecting your ability to handle the work related stuff. (living that problem as we speak)

Asked by Frustrated in San Mateo almost 13 years ago

That has never happened to me, but I would simply ask them which is the priority.

Are you hoping to stay in the finance world, or eventually move back into academia or any of the other fields you mentioned being qualified for (teaching, museums, etc)?

Asked by been there almost 13 years ago

No, not at all. At least for the next 10 years or so, I hope the move to finance is permanent. I am looking to grow financially and have more room for growth.

Is there a career path at your firm from contract EA to full-time position in a more senior role and if so what are you hoping to do there?

Asked by suzQ almost 13 years ago

You said "more senior", but I think you mean "with more responsibility". Yes, my company likes to bring temps to full time positions, and they are receptive to peoples' desire to grow and learn. There is hot, however, a "career path". People tend to carve out their own. I would like to keep my goals at the firm private, because it is small, and I want to remain totally anonymous on Jobstr.

What is some advice you'd give to an aspiring high schooler looking towards getting into a future business career? I.E. what's some pathways into senior management in a company?

Asked by Curious almost 12 years ago

By "aspiring" I assume you mean that you will start high school soon.

When you ask a colleague or mentor for advice for advice never  say "How can I got into sr management?" Ask, "How can perform better at my job now? What are some additional responsibilities I can take on in order to learn more?"

Study what you love and go from there.

I work at a travel and event planning agency. We are a great resource for Executive Assistants (we have several that we work with currently) booking high level travel globally but I am having trouble reaching out to the right people. Any suggestions?

Asked by Travel Lady over 12 years ago

Reach out to the EA's and the office services people.  Quit calling and bullying assistants into transferring you to their bosses.  

of jobs go from the lowest to the top? Enlighten me please? Thank you

Asked by Curious almost 12 years ago

Every single company is different, but this is universal: nothing annoys people more than a young person asking, "How can I get a job in senior management?". As I stated earlier ask, "How can I do better at my job now?".

As an aside- when writing avoid using the passive voice and avoid trying to sound smart.  Just write what you want to write. 

I'm up for an EA-IV position. I was recently an EA on a 12 week project for a major network. It was intense. For the upcoming position I must coordinate a lot of travel including using private jets. Where would I go for that? Private jets I mean.

Asked by FF over 11 years ago

Sorry by aspiring I meant I am a current high schooler (junior) and aspiring to be a businessman when I grow older. From an internship I have already begun seeing parts of a work office and how things are run, but I'm still unsure as to how the chain

Asked by Curious almost 12 years ago

Hi, I just started this new job as an EA to the CEO and I want to be the best at my job. My trainee hasn't really been training me and I truly want to master my position and make my boss happy. Do you have any tips or pointers to put me above all?

Asked by Lady about 11 years ago