As a PA or executive assistant, you’ll no doubt have noticed that things have changed since the pandemic. For instance, you’re unlikely to be booking as much travel–but you’ll certainly have become better at organising digital events. But the implications go much further than that. Here’s what you need to know to survive and thrive in the new normal.
- Broaden your skillset
Business leaders now expect their EAs to handle reception, administrative support, and a wide range of other tasks, and redundancies are driving employers to roll multiple roles into one. This makes it a great time to upskill, either at work or in your own time–77% of employers prefer candidates who upskill regularly, according to a Hays survey.
If you’re great at balancing the office budget, you can add value to any organisation. Upgrade your accountancy knowledge to become a more sought-after employee. EAs and PAs are also playing a big role in health and safety post-COVID, so this is another good area to upskill.
- Connect when working from home
Remote work has thrown a spanner in the “personal” part of being a personal assistant. Keeping communication channels open is an important aspect of the job, especially for EAs, so communication skills are more in demand than ever. Consider setting up regular check-in meetings, make sure you’re available and responsive, and exercise strong judgement on when it’s appropriate to pick up the phone or jump on Zoom rather than relying solely on email.
- Upgrade your digital skills
PA and EA roles today involve coordinating virtual onboarding, training and meetings, and overseeing hardware deployment for remote workers. Many employers now demand exceptional tech skills. Bone up on task management and schedule planning tools, event and meeting planning software, and project management and collaboration tools (there’s plenty of free information to be found online) and highlight your tech skills and experience in your CV.
- Optimise your hybrid working
Some parts of an EA role can easily be done from home, while others work best in the office. Knowing which is which is now part of being a great EA. Home-friendly tasks include admin and organisational tasks, coding data, updating knowledge, gathering and processing information, and communicating with others.
- Embrace change management
PAs and EAs are getting more involved in change management. As execs update their pre-pandemic policies and procedures for the new normal, you could take responsibility for introducing and communicating these changes, supporting staff in adjusting, and reporting to your exec on progress.
In sum, if you take advantage of these new ways to add value, you’ll stay relevant and thrive.