Executive assistant career coach
Celebrity headhunter Brian Daniel has been providing executive assistant career coaching since 2007. He is a former assistant to royalty, Forbes list families, celebrities and billionaires.
Are you an executive assistant that wants to level up? Are you getting paid what you're worth? Are you doing administrative work for multiple executives? Do you feel stuck in your career and feel like you've plateaued?
Many executive assistants ask themselves these questions every day. When I do career coaching with executive assistants, I discuss these topics with EAs around the world. The fact of the matter is that today, assistants are being asked to do more work with less pay than ever before. If you want to get out of a professional rut, then career coaching might be right for you.
Are you an executive assistant that wants to level up? Are you getting paid what you're worth? Are you doing administrative work for multiple executives? Do you feel stuck in your career and feel like you've plateaued?
Many executive assistants ask themselves these questions every day. When I do career coaching with executive assistants, I discuss these topics with EAs around the world. The fact of the matter is that today, assistants are being asked to do more work with less pay than ever before. If you want to get out of a professional rut, then career coaching might be right for you.
All executive assistants should aim to level up
Career advice for executive assistants
Do you have lofty goals for yourself? Many executive assistants don't. One of the biggest surprises of my coaching career is that assistants don't set high enough standards for themselves; and that's where the problem of not being able to move up in a company starts.
In a coaching session, I will often learn that executive assistants don't have a long-term strategy for life in their industry; and part of that has to do with confidence. One common denominator with assistants that work for high-net-worth individuals and high-profile executives is that they exude confidence and exhibit leadership.
In a coaching session, I will often learn that executive assistants don't have a long-term strategy for life in their industry; and part of that has to do with confidence. One common denominator with assistants that work for high-net-worth individuals and high-profile executives is that they exude confidence and exhibit leadership.
What about coaching for executive assistants virtually?
In fact, most of my coaching with executive assistants takes place virtually on platforms like Skype and Zoom. If you work for a busy CEO and you just can't make it for an in-person coaching session, it's ok. We can be just as productive in an online session.
If a video chat isn't conducive, we can also conduct coaching by phone. Regardless of how you decide to do your coaching, we are going to focus on the following:
If a video chat isn't conducive, we can also conduct coaching by phone. Regardless of how you decide to do your coaching, we are going to focus on the following:
- How to empower yourself to be more productive
- How to build a better relationship with your boss
- How to exceed what's expected in the office
- How maximize your free time for professional development
Why is executive assistant professional development so important?
Assistants should set goals
"Hard work" doesn't always translate to success. I've coached countless executive assistants over the years, and many have similar stories from the C-suite: Struggles for power, too many leaders, an ineffective partnership with the executive they work for... and the list goes on.
I'm going to arm you will the resources that are self-directed, so you can empower yourself to manage your time better and be more effective in the office.
I'm going to arm you will the resources that are self-directed, so you can empower yourself to manage your time better and be more effective in the office.
Setting goals is critical for an executive assistant
On a scale of 1 to 10, where are you with your technology expertise? Are you a leader when it comes to technology? Are you the "go-to" assistant in the office when people need advice? One of the biggest career blocks I've seen over the years is the "old dog new tricks" syndrome. Executive assistants need to constantly go out of their comfort zones and be learning new skills.
For example, are you Microsoft certified? How about Six Sigma? Regardless of where you are, there is always room for improvement. I have executive assistants identify where they are, where they want to be, then we set goals for how to fill the gap.
For example, are you Microsoft certified? How about Six Sigma? Regardless of where you are, there is always room for improvement. I have executive assistants identify where they are, where they want to be, then we set goals for how to fill the gap.
Executive assistants need to build a personal brand
Experts have been talking about personal branding for years, yet not enough assistants focus on this aspect of their professional identity. To be fair, it's misunderstood. Many people think that personal branding is how you dress. Well, that's part of it; but just one, small part. Here are some tips for building a personal brand:
These are just some of many talking points that we can discuss in a career coaching session. In short, having a strong personal brand means taking a 360-degree view of how you conduct business and portray yourself to other professionals.
- Think about how you are perceived by other professionals
- How is your business acumen?
- Can you build and manage a team?
- Are your executives also partners?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how well do you manage your online identity?
- Have you mastered the interview process?
- Do you speak up in a group?
These are just some of many talking points that we can discuss in a career coaching session. In short, having a strong personal brand means taking a 360-degree view of how you conduct business and portray yourself to other professionals.
Executive assistants need to understand that marketing themselves is a game
Assistants need to learn to market their skill set
Wouldn't it be great of the world had its priorities straight? Wouldn't it be nice if we were all valued the way we could be? How great could the world be if managers appreciated out productivity? The point I'm trying to make is that the world isn't perfect, and part of marketing ourselves is understanding how we all fit into the "program" of how to stand out from all the "noise" that exists -- the stuff that distracts both us and others.
The way to get managers to appreciate our value as executive assistants is to connect with then on a human level. I've learned many of these lessons the hard way. Some may criticize trying to show we are valuable as assistants as being an "apple polisher" or "boot licker." Well, the people usually saying that are in the lower ranks, not the upper echelon. Find a way to stand out without pandering. These strategies can be discussed in our session together.
The way to get managers to appreciate our value as executive assistants is to connect with then on a human level. I've learned many of these lessons the hard way. Some may criticize trying to show we are valuable as assistants as being an "apple polisher" or "boot licker." Well, the people usually saying that are in the lower ranks, not the upper echelon. Find a way to stand out without pandering. These strategies can be discussed in our session together.
How important is an executive assistant resume?
In my professional opinion, on a scale of 1 to 10, your resume is a 10 in terms of importance. When most executive assistants search for a job, they just blast the same generic resume out to the hiring managers in bulk. If you're not customizing every single resume submitting and every cover letter, then you probably won't have the success you're looking for.
This resume topic can be very controversial and upsetting to candidates; but if you're not in your dream job making the salary that you're worth, then there is room for improvement. Your future is in your own hands, so one important role that you play is to make sure that your resume represents your ability. It should be a sort of call to action. I have a lot of training in resume writing, and I'm happy to pass my secrets along to you. Having the know how to pass the ATS process dramatically increases your chances of getting a related role that pays more than you're making now.
This resume topic can be very controversial and upsetting to candidates; but if you're not in your dream job making the salary that you're worth, then there is room for improvement. Your future is in your own hands, so one important role that you play is to make sure that your resume represents your ability. It should be a sort of call to action. I have a lot of training in resume writing, and I'm happy to pass my secrets along to you. Having the know how to pass the ATS process dramatically increases your chances of getting a related role that pays more than you're making now.
Does executive assistant coaching give candidates an edge?
Yes, absolutely. When high-net-worth individuals, celebrities and billionaires consider candidates for jobs, it's ultra-competitive. A company owned by a celebrity, for example, might get up to 1,000 job applications for an open role. Standing out is very difficult. So how do you get the boss to notice you?
Could an administrative assistant become a boss?
Coaching for EA leadership
Yes, absolutely. Brian Daniel has been a coach for many assistants who have earned the title of Chief of Staff in both corporate and domestic environments. The role of an executive assistant is only limited by one's imagination. If your goal is to work for a high-profile celebrity, pro athlete or high-net-worth family, Brian Daniel can help you set some goals and help you arrange your priorities.
He can also make some suggestions about getting into a group of like-minded EAs who want to level up. There are even power poses that were studied by top researchers at Harvard that can give you more confidence before you go into a meeting or job interview.
He can also make some suggestions about getting into a group of like-minded EAs who want to level up. There are even power poses that were studied by top researchers at Harvard that can give you more confidence before you go into a meeting or job interview.
What advice can you give me to strengthen my leadership?
Leaders know how to be game changers and have resources to make them more productive. Brian Daniel can help you focus on your life goals and relationship with partners to help you achieve success. Ask yourself the following:
If you know that any of the aforementioned needs works, then you could probably benefit from coaching.
- Can you lead a team?
- Are you a game changing assistant?
- Do you have the skills to support your executive 100%?
- Are you in this career for the long term?
- Are your administrative skills at level 10?
- Are you the kind of executive assistant that others follow?
- Do other EAs come to you for tips?
- Would your CEO say that you're ready to be a Chief of Staff?
If you know that any of the aforementioned needs works, then you could probably benefit from coaching.
FILED UNDER: Coaching for executive assistants, career support, setting goals, team support, assist with goals, job search, future leader, understanding office dynamics
