I need to interview fellow Executive Assistants?

Question

I just started a new job as an Executive Asst. I am interviewing some fellow assistants to ask how I can best support my boss and other executives. I am brain dead as to what to ask???

Answer 1

Firstly, they know how to do their jobs, so mostly all you need to ask is

"Can you give me some tips on how to do this job well"
"What sort of things do you think be challenging"

Listen and let them do the talking.

Maybe you will get things such as

Software to use on the computer
Set up of the computer system
Tricks to using the phone system
Rules and systems that you might need to follow
etc

Be polite, tell them how wonderful they are, so they will help you again in the future.

Answer 2

It depends on what you think an Executive Assistant is. There is always going to be big-business of some type and there will always be a need for Executive Assistants regardless of the industry. Record and Movie Executives need Executive Assistants. So do Real Estate Moguls and Financial Institutions. The plus of being an Executive Assistant is the same as an Admin Asst. You have the luxury of living pretty much anywhere in the country or even the world. You aren't limited to one certain area, like Banking or Warehousing and Distribution. If you don't want to be an Executive Assistant or Admin your whole life then change it. Don't worry about "missing something". You only get out of a job what you put into it. Just like everything else. That's why it is called work. It ain't called fun.

Answer 3

Every executive assistant job is different. You would be better to sit down with the executive and find out what s/he wants. Then look at what the person does and see if you can find ways to make the work easier or do some duties for them. I always wanted my assistant to take everything off my desk that they could possibly handle. I only wanted to see important mail, I wanted my assistant to handle routine mail. I wanted her to anticipate my needs and as we worked together, I wanted her to know what needed to be done.

Answer 4

"Fellow Assistants" hmmm, that adds an element of I'm not sure what. If your own new position is one that everyone else in the office wanted, they might not give you good advice. I would consult the experts, or I would trust my instincts before those of someone else. After all, you have the Executive Assistant job, you don't need their advice.

Answer 5

Greetings!

First, take a DEEP BREATH! That will help clear your head and provide some much needed oxygen to your dead brain. :)

Second, don't start with your fellow EA's. Start with your boss. Ask YOUR BOSS what you can do to best support them. While your fellow EA's can be helpful, they don't know EXACTLY what YOUR boss considers supportive.

Here are some questions to ask your boss:

What's your preferred communication style: phone, e-mail, face to face?

What motivates you?
What de-motivates you?
What do you do best in your job?

What do you want to improve? How can I help you with that?

What are your goals for this year? How can I best help you achieve those goals?

What do you expect of me? GET SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE GOALS HERE!!!

How will you measure my effectiveness / success / performance? GET SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE GOALS HERE!!!

How do you prioritize? What's our number one priority now?

What do you need me to do daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly?
GET SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE GOALS HERE!!!

I'd also recommend that you talk to other people who've worked with your boss to see what their experience is like.

For me, I would like an assistant who takes initiative and doesn't wait for me to have to tell them everything to to.

I hope this helps.

I wish you Peace.

Answer 6

modesty aside....I am a GREAT exec assist, so here are my recommendationsÑ you have to literally read yr boss´mind....check on his attitudes & preferences...never be late...remember that he has to be yr priority, so if he asks for smthing, get that done ASAP, remember that you have to be like the right hand of yr boss.
you have to be PROACTIVE, give ideas..

Hope this helps & wish u the best on yr new position :)

Answer 7

ask him/her what his/her experiences are?? do they have experience as an Exec.Assist.? what or where did they previously work? are they opened to accepting working beyond the normal working hours? how they eel about work stress? whats their latest work achievement they've done?? did it compliment their careers?? what reason did they have in resigning in their previous job?? how much were they receiving in salary?? are they willing to work there if the salary is lower than what they were getting?