Life as an executive assistant is fast-paced, challenging, perpetually changing, often fun, and loaded with career potential. It’s a great job – but is it for you? If you are considering a career as an executive assistant, ask yourself the following questions:

Is “multitask” your middle name?
Do you balance your checkbook while standing in line at the grocery store? Do you answer emails while talking on the phone? If you are a master of multitasking, you already have one of the key qualities of any great executive assistant. Constantly running from one job to another, executive assistants need to stay on top of various tasks – and help others stay on top of theirs as well!

Can you organize documents in your sleep?
Executives hire assistants to organize their lives, so they don’t have to. As an executive assistant it is your job to stay on top of tasks, manage contacts, keep up with a busy calendar, and return phone calls, alongside any other tasks your boss throws at you. What’s the secret to success? Excellent organizational skills. If day planners, palm pilots, email reminders, sticky notes, and file folders are your cup of tea, you’ll quickly rise to the top.

Would you call yourself a “people person?”
Although most executive assistants work closely with just one executive (or, in some cases, a small team), executive assistants must be the ultimate team players, ready to work with many different people and in a range of professional situations. Do you feel comfortable calling other executives to let them know your boss is running late? Can you coordinate meetings and give presentations? As an executive’s right-hand man or woman, the best executive assistants enjoy working with everyone on the executive team, always presenting a professional demeanor.

Can you maintain confidentiality?
Executive assistants (as well as many administrative assistants) are often exposed to confidential information. It may be information that only the company’s top leadership is privy to or, depending on your role, information about other company employees. Trustworthiness is an absolute essential!