Executive assistants
Career Overview
Executive assistants co-ordinate administrative procedures, public relations activities, research and analysis for governments, corporations, private firms and associations.
Job Titles
Duties
On behalf of executives, committees and boards of directors, executive assistants:
- Create and co-ordinate administrative policies and procedures
- Check incoming and outgoing messages, submissions and reports
- Prepare and co-ordinate summary briefs and reports
- Prepare agendas and arrange meetings
- Carry out research, compile data and prepare papers
- Prepare correspondence and presentations
- Meet with individuals, special interest groups and others to discuss issues, make assessments and recommend courses of action
- Communicate with key internal contacts and external organizations
- Lead and co-ordinate projects
- Co-ordinate internal and external events
- Act as strategic business partners
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
5,675% Employed Full Time
74%Executive assistants usually work in a structured environment, such as an office. With new technologies, they can more easily work from multiple or remote locations.
Career Pathways
Executive assistants generally become administrative directors or strategic business partners after completing an administrative professional designation, such as CCAP, and after gaining years of experience. With additional experience or education, administrative directors or strategic business partners may become chief administrative officers (CAOs).
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Completion of secondary school is required. A bachelor's degree in public administration, political science or a related discipline is usually required, as is experience in a related administrative job.
Designation as a Canadian Certified Administrative Professional (CCAP) is an asset.
Depending on the industry, training in project management, event co-ordination, financial accounting, public relations or human resources may also be beneficial.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Business Administration/Management/Commerce
- International Business
- Political Science/Studies
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
5,675Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 145 | 2.6% |
| Kootenay | 125 | 2.2% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 3,890 | 68.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 90 | 1.6% |
| Northeast | 25 | 0.4% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 495 | 8.7% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 915 | 16.1% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
3,090Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 40 | -0.2% |
| Kootenay | 60 | 0.3% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 2,250 | 1.6% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 20 | -0.4% |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 240 | 1.2% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 480 | 0.8% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | 570 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 520 |
| Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 450 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 290 |
| Educational Services | 260 |
Insights from Industry
Though there is a steady stream of new graduates coming into the occupation, there are many positions available to executive assistants in B.C. Specifically, demand is high in the public administration, financial and university/education sectors.
Executive assistants are now using new technologies to achieve greater results and provide more efficient support. As a result, there has been a move away from the traditional support role toward a role as a strategic business partner with greater responsibilities. These may include project management, event planning, strategic planning, financial analysis and public relations.
Resources
-
Association of Administrative Professionalswww.canadianadmin.ca
-
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)www.iaap-hq.org
-
The Association of Executive and Administrative Professionalswww.theaeap.com
Career Videos
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of an executive assistant is like.
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of an executive assistant is like.
