Become an Executive Assistant
Page 2 of 3
Be Proactive
While strong computer skills may nail you an administrative assistant position, applicants for executive assistant jobs must show initiative, says Laura Smith, senior vice president of human resources and administration for Edelman Public Relations.
"Don't just gather proposals for getting a new copier for the office," she says. "Instead, look at purchase versus lease, look for cost comparisons and [investigate] whether a new copier is necessary."
What's key is demonstrating that you can think strategically or proactively rather than merely react to others' requests. "Too often, I see CVs where people list their job duties and very little on what they actually accomplished," Smith says.
If your current role seems to lack opportunities for initiative, ask to be involved in -- or, better yet, take the lead on -- additional projects with your current employer, Smith says. Indicate the results of your ingenuity on your CV.
