executive assistant.

your area of responsibility.

As an executive assistant, you work in a fast-paced environment that demands a high level of flexibility and resilience. Your responsibilities are interesting, varied, and extensive. The key duties of an executive assistant include:

1. Managing your boss's appointment calendar and schedule.
   You are the person who strategically manages the CEOs' time. You plan the schedule based on the goals and priorities of your superior, ensuring the best possible execution of their directives while taking into account all relevant circumstances. In doing so, you focus on optimised time management to minimise the loss of valuable time.

2. You handle meeting requests and create a work calendar to ensure that the executives have enough time for all their appointments. You answer phone calls and manage the correspondence for the managers, including email accounts, letters, and calls. You take phone calls on behalf of the executives and decide on the appropriate next steps. Similarly, you handle emails: you review them, forward them if necessary, or respond to them. You process the correspondence in order of priority. This requires a very good understanding of the work of your superiors.

3. Organising and running meetings is also part of your responsibilities. The main task involves planning and conducting meetings, including client appointments and sessions with senior management. You set up either in-person or virtual meetings. First, you find a suitable time that works for all parties involved and prepare the executives with a thorough briefing ahead of the meeting. During the sessions, you take minutes and transcribe them afterwards.

4. The coordination of business trips also falls within the responsibilities of an executive assistant. As an executive assistant, you organise travel arrangements for senior staff. You ensure the trip runs smoothly from start to finish. This begins with booking transportation, arranging travel to the accommodation, which you have also selected and booked—and extends to planning the entire itinerary. You create an optimal timetable for the journey. Sometimes, it may be necessary for you to accompany the executives on their business trips, depending on the company.

who are your colleagues?

As an assistant to the management team, you can work across various industries and many different companies, which makes the profession very versatile. Your colleagues might include administrative assistants, chief executive officers (CEOs), financial analysts, and finance managers. You also work closely with marketing directors, operations managers, and other specialists such as programme managers, managing directors, sales directors, IT specialists, and sales managers. Most of your contact will be with the executive team, to whom you report directly.

An executive assistant supports senior management in their daily tasks, with the primary aim of achieving the company's objectives.

In smaller companies, you support several executives, whereas in larger organisations, you work with just one leader. In addition to regular executive assistants, top executives in some companies also have chief executive assistants (CEA) or a chief of staff (COS).

As an executive assistant, you take on smaller responsibilities on behalf of the leadership team. For example, you attend meetings on their behalf and handle their strategic planning. You also act as a trusted advisor to the executive and oversee other staff to ensure that all processes run smoothly.

how much do I earn as an executive assistant in a permanent position?

In a permanent position, you earn an average of 80,429.43 CHF per year as a executive assistant. This means your salary ranges between 48,360 CHF and 120,000 CHF gross annually. That equates to a monthly salary between 4,030 CHF and 10,000 CHF gross. About half of the salaries surveyed are above 80,000 CHF gross, which corresponds to a monthly income of 6,667 CHF gross.

Becoming an executive assistant doesn't follow a standard route. It's not a traditional vocational training role but simply a designation for a professional position.

In most cases, you get the opportunity for this position after several years of commercial experience. Usually, an executive assistant has completed a business-related qualification. Some also enter this role through a legal or business administration degree.

As an executive assistant, you have many opportunities available to you. You can work in a small, medium-sized, or large company across various industries. This could be, for example, in a bank, a manufacturing firm, a medical organisation, or a media company.

Since executive assistant is not a recognised apprenticeship, there are several different routes to this position beyond commercial training, including lateral entry. The most important requirement for career changers is several years of professional experience in administration. Computer skills, knowledge of accounting, company structure, and similar areas are essential. Personal suitability also plays a key role: you should definitely possess exceptional organisational talent, flexibility, and resilience.

People often enter as executive assistants from backgrounds in human resources, administration, or after successfully completing a hotel management school or working in the hospitality industry.

As an executive assistant to the management team, you have various opportunities for advancement. One path follows the traditional career ladder: after gaining several years of professional experience, you can take the next step to a more challenging and better-paid position. Those who are committed gain valuable insight into the company and can use this knowledge to further their personal development. If the management considers you indispensable, recognises your qualities, and values your contribution, you stand a good chance of progressing further within the organisation or even externally. In any case, performing well can earn you a valuable reference or recommendation that will be helpful in your future career.

As an executive assistant, you demonstrate above-average organisational skills, present yourself impeccably, and are resilient under pressure.

The dynamic work environment requires a high level of flexibility. Situations can change quickly, and you respond confidently and decisively.

Sometimes, extra working hours are necessary, which requires a high level of commitment. Good time management is also very important. Your communication skills are excellent both verbally and in writing.

There are many good reasons to work at Randstad as an executive assistant.
✓ Exciting jobs with well-known companies
✓ a reliable point of contact whenever you need one; personalised advice matters
✓ Attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ Further education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ Clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ Do you have a fixed-term contract? Often, there’s the opportunity to secure a permanent position afterwards. Many well-known companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad.

your professional development budget as an executive assistant at randstad.

If you work as a production operative for Randstad, you have access to training courses. As part of the TempTrainings programme from swissstaffing, you can attend training sessions. You will be reimbursed for the course fees later, provided you pass the course exam. Your consultant from Randstad is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can also gain additional language skills or job-specific knowledge. And all of this is during your working hours as an executive assistant.

Have you found your dream job as an executive assistant? It’s not just qualifications and references that determine the success of your applications. Careful, error-free, and personalised documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to optimise your chances:

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about working as an executive assistant.