What is an Executive Assistant?
The term EA means different things to different clients, but we recognise that all our clients require the main core traits of utter professionalism, intelligence and experience.
An executive assistant is essentially an executive level assistant, an assistant who assists an executive. An executive assistant serves a key role in any business by assisting their boss so they may excel in their role to the upmost of their ability so the business will be as successful as possible. While there are some common responsibilities and skills that most executive assistants should have, we understand that each company’s idea of the perfect EA will vary and will sometimes require a unique skillset.
Qualities of a Great Executive Assistant
An exceptional executive assistant is much more than just a support professional – they are often the backbone of a successful executive’s day-to-day operations. Here are some of the key qualities we look for when interviewing candidates:
1. Professionalism and Discretion
A great EA is a trusted confidant who handles sensitive information with the utmost care. They maintain a high level of professionalism in all interactions and understand the importance of confidentiality in their roles.
2. Proactive Problem-Solving
The best EAs can anticipate challenges before they arise and address them swiftly. They think ahead, ensuring their executive’s schedule and priorities run smoothly without disruption.
3. Strong Communication Skills
An executive assistant must communicate clearly and effectively, whether drafting emails, liaising with stakeholders, or representing an executive in meetings. Active listening and tactful negotiation are equally essential.
4. Adaptability and Resilience
In a fast-paced environment, flexibility is key. A great EA thrives under pressure, adapts to changing circumstances, and remains composed, even in high-stress environments.
5. Tech-Savviness
From mastering productivity tools to leveraging project management software, a tech-savvy EA stays ahead of the curve and uses technology to streamline workflows.
6. Exceptional Organisational Abilities
With multiple competing priorities, an EA’s ability to stay organised is critical. They excel at managing complex calendars, co-ordinating travel, and ensuring all tasks are completed efficiently.
7. Emotional Intelligence
An exceptional EA is empathetic, approachable, and skilled at building strong relationships. They understand the nuances of interpersonal dynamics and can navigate workplace relationships with ease.
8. Industry-Specific Expertise
For certain roles, knowledge of industry terminology, processes, or software can be invaluable. For instance, a legal EA may need to be familiar with legal documentation, while a finance EA might require an understanding of investment jargon.
At Attic Recruitment, we pride ourselves on identifying candidates who not only meet these criteria but align with your company’s unique values and culture. With our rigorous vetting process, you can be sure that your new EA will excel in their role.
Support Every Step of the Way with Attic Recruitment
We will help you create the job specification which gets you the right EA. If you need a travelling EA, we make sure we present you with candidates with few commitments, if you are Head of Legal you will want a legally trained EA, so they hit the ground running with your terminology and so on. We don’t blanket search or send endless CVs hoping one will hit the bullseye. With each new client we start from scratch, advise on the job specification from the beginning, source the ideal candidates for your EA role, then present you with a tailored shortlist.
All of our candidates have been thoroughly interviewed face to face and identity checked. We provide a tailored list of 4-5 candidates to help you hire an Executive Assistant with ease.
Why Choose Attic Recruitment?
With over 22 years of experience in executive assistant recruitment, Attic Recruitment is the number one choice for businesses across London. Our approach ensures we match with candidates who perfectly align with your company’s needs and culture. Partner with Attic Recruitment for a recruitment experience that delivers outstanding results.
Contact Us
Attic Recruitment is the leading agency for Executive Assistant recruitment in London. If you need to hire an executive assistant to support you, please call Kirsty Miall on 020 7436 9909 or email: kirsty@atticrecruitment.co.uk.
We can help you to recruit the following positions, whether permanent or temporary:
- Business Assistant
- Executive Assistant
- Personal Assistant
- Private Secretary
- Bilingual Assistant
- Team Secretary
- Administrator
- Coordinator
- Office Manager
- Facilities Manager
- Legal Secretary
- Receptionist
ABOUT ATTIC | EA
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We are a recruitment consultancy that will deliver the finest shortlist to enable you to hire the ideal Executive Assistant quickly.
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No two Executive Assistant roles are the same, even in the same sector. We understand this and make sure we have a spec we can work with and that we understand your company’s culture and values.
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We are the experts in Executive Assistant recruitment in London. Try us, you will not be disappointed.
We generally advise brief to placement subject to outside factors 3- 4 weeks.