Executive and Personal Assistants have topped the list of office support skills in demand for the first half of 2020, according to our latest Hays Jobs Report.
But if you want to secure your next role, there are several hiring trends to be aware of. Firstly, since EAs and PAs are the gatekeepers for their Partners and Directors, employers look for candidates who can demonstrate an ability to make quick decisions on their executive’s behalf, prioritise tasks and determine who their executive spends their time with.
To be successful, candidates must also demonstrate that they constantly upskill and can utilise the latest technology to implement the most efficient processes.
Of course, employers expect candidates to have experience preparing board reports, taking minutes, generating and distributing reports, formatting presentations and proposals, providing IT support and fulfilling general HR and office management functions. Highlight these skills on your CV, as well as your ability to remain calm under pressure, think outside the box and adapt to change.
Increasingly, employers also look for EA’s and PA’s with a strong understanding and interest in their industry. For example, if you are applying for a role that involves working on projects, you must be able to demonstrate an ability to assist with costing, document control and progress tracking.
In other areas of demand, Team Assistants are sought too, especially in the property development, engineering, architecture and accounting industries. This job is extremely varied, and candidates must therefore have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with people at all levels of the organisation.
Strong data entry skills are highly regarded, as is the ability to navigate Microsoft Office and use common Excel functions. Previous experience using MYOB, SAP and Salesforce is commonly requested.
The Hays Jobs Report, updated twice a year to reflect changing market conditions, also found that Project Administrators, Legal Secretaries and Corporate Receptionists are needed.
Multi-skilled Administrators are in growing demand too, particularly in SMEs that may only have the capacity to employ one Administrator who is responsible for all aspects of office support, including administration, accounts, reception and some PA duties.
For more, please see the Hays Jobs Report at www.hays.com.au/report
