Find out what it truly looks like to be an Executive Assistant

When you think of an Executive Assistant what first comes to mind? Coffee errands? Maybe picking up the dry cleaning? And of course, playing with diaries, right? Wrong actually!

Find out what it truly looks like to work in this incredibly skilful job from our CPO’s very own Karen Dobrin.

I love to challenge the notion that being an Executive Assistant is only meant to be a stepping stone job, that it's not a career because that's not true. It takes so much to do this job and do it well.

So, in my view, first and foremost, this job requires a person to be highly adaptable to different styles.

Nobody that I've ever worked for has been the same and very senior people have unique and very different ways of managing their workload. It’s really about how well one can jell with their leader. But also, because one must learn how to be truly flexible with their style of working to adapt as they’d be expected.

The second requirement for success as an EA is looking after oneself. I’m personally, very big on well-being coming first because if I don't look after my well-being then I'm not productive and I'm not going to be successful in my job. So, I’m super strict with my routine around the time I get up in the morning, I get up at 5:30 to get to the gym.

I need that morning session to get me ready to take on the day, and if I'm working from home, I'll also go for a walk in the forest as well because I know I'm sitting down all day by myself. Once I’ve gotten myself energised and feeling good, I know I can then be productive. I also ensure that I’ve planned out my meals over the weekend to ensure I’m eating all the right things throughout the week. I try to also get enough sleep and drink enough water. All these very ordinary things make a huge difference to how well an EA, like myself, can manage this very hectic career where you constantly need to be staying on top of a million and one things.

And then I think there's also the skill set which you know is key as well, which is being able to build a strong positive rapport and quite quickly with people. I don't think you can be high-performing in anything unless you can build relationships well - everything is about people.

And lastly, being highly organised and knowing what to prioritise is key. It almost goes without saying. Having a strong ability to be reactive to things that are coming at you all day whilst getting things done on your list is what keeps you afloat.

If you can't juggle between tasks and be quick on your feet then being an EA will be a struggle.

This really is a career and a pretty good one when you enjoy what you do.

I've worked in many other roles and even managed teams. I've been in positions that many would consider to be a lot more high-profile compared to being an EA. However, at the end of the day, this is the craft that I enjoy the most. I love supporting people and that's exactly what being an EA is all about.

If you enjoy what you do, whatever it is, and you give it your all then nothing else should matter. Build your life your way!