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Career Details

43-6011.00 - Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants


Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
776,600
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
732,000
Estimate
Change in Employment
-44,600
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-5.7%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Manage and maintain executives' schedules.
  • Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements, and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.
  • Read and analyze incoming memos, submissions, and reports to determine their significance and plan their distribution.
  • Open, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and email.
  • File and retrieve corporate documents, records, and reports.
  • Greet visitors and determine whether they should be given access to specific individuals.
  • Prepare responses to correspondence containing routine inquiries.
  • Make travel arrangements for executives.
  • Conduct research, compile data, and prepare papers for consideration and presentation by executives, committees, and boards of directors.
  • Attend meetings to record minutes.
  • Answer phone calls and direct calls to appropriate parties or take messages.
  • Perform general office duties, such as ordering supplies, maintaining records management database systems, and performing basic bookkeeping work.
  • Prepare agendas and make arrangements, such as coordinating catering for luncheons, for committee, board, and other meetings.
  • Coordinate and direct office services, such as records, departmental finances, budget preparation, personnel issues, and housekeeping, to aid executives.
  • Provide clerical support to other departments.
Supplemental
  • Compile, transcribe, and distribute minutes of meetings.
  • Meet with individuals, special interest groups, and others on behalf of executives, committees, and boards of directors.
  • Set up and oversee administrative policies and procedures for offices or organizations.
  • Review operating practices and procedures to determine whether improvements can be made in areas such as workflow, reporting procedures, or expenditures.
  • Interpret administrative and operating policies and procedures for employees.
  • Process payroll information.
  • Supervise and train other clerical staff and arrange for employee training by scheduling training or organizing training material.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Clerical
  • 90%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 English Language
  • 83%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 69%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 66%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Administration and Management
  • 64%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Personnel and Human Resources
  • 55%
    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
 Communications and Media
  • 53%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Mathematics
  • 50%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Calculating machines and accessories
  • 10-key calculators
  • Handheld calculators
 Computer data input devices
  • Data input scanners
  • Handheld computers
  • Scanners
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
 Typing machines and accessories
  • Dictation equipment
  • Electric typewriters
 Cameras
  • Digital cameras
 Duplicating machines
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Photocopying equipment
 Projectors and supplies
  • Liquid crystal display LCD video projectors
 Personal communication devices
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Pagers
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Accounting software
  • Epicor VantageHOT
  • Exact Software Macola ESHOT
  • Geac MPC ProductionHOT
  • Intuit QuickBooksHOT
  • Maynard PlanStaff ManagerHOT
  • Microsoft DynamicsHOT
  • Microsoft Dynamics GPHOT
  • MicroStrategy Report ServicesHOT
  • Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
  • Oracle PeopleSoftHOT
  • Oracle PeopleSoft FinancialsHOT
  • PRONTO XiHOT
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • Sage Peachtree Premium Accounting for Manufacturing
  • SAPHOT
  • SYSPROHOT
  • Work Technology WorkTech Time
  • Workbrain Time and Attendance
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
  • Dropbox
  • Records management systems
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Contribute
  • Adobe Systems Adobe IllustratorHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesignHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Apple Keynote
  • Appointment scheduling software
  • Calendar and scheduling software
  • Desktop publishing software
  • Evernote
  • FacebookHOT
  • Google DocsHOT
  • Google Sites
  • Google Slides
  • Graphics software
  • JamBoard
  • LinkedInHOT
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft OneNote
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft VisioHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • RefWorks RefShare
  • SmugMug FlickrHOT
  • Social media sitesHOT
  • Transcription software
  • Word processing software
  • Workbrain Employee Scheduling
 Business function specific software
  • Aestiva Purchase Order
  • Corel WordPerfect
  • Fishbowl Warehouse
  • Google DriveHOT
  • Human resource management software HRMS
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Microsoft SharePointHOT
  • Microsoft Team Foundation Server
  • Office suite software
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementHOT
  • Questek Humanis
  • Slack
  • Workflow International Deskflow Enterprise
 Data management and query software
  • Airtable
  • Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
  • Customer relationship management CRM software
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Inetsoft
  • LexisNexis
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • RefWorks
 Information exchange software
  • Cisco Systems Webex
  • Google Meet
  • IBM NotesHOT
  • Intrado SchoolMessenger
  • LogMeIn GoToMeeting
  • LogMeIn GoToWebinar
  • Microsoft Office SharePoint Server MOSS
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
  • Slido
  • Web conferencing software
  • Zoom
 Network applications software
  • Eko
  • Internet browser software
  • ParentSquare
  • Web browser software
 Industry specific software
  • KAPES
  • Micro Estimating FabPlan
  • MTI Systems Costimator JS
  • PCC EHR
  • PCC Pediatric Partner
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Product/Equipment
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Southside Virginia Community College
Virginia Peninsula Community College
Wytheville Community College