Guide To An Administrative Executive Career Path
In the modern era, many companies benefit from hiring professionals that can work with technology-based instruments. Most organisations across the world now use computers, laptops, tablets, and other gadgets to do administrative tasks. Especially in these times of socially distant interaction, companies have to improve and market their services and products to keep their business growing. With this, pursuing an administrative executive career path continues to be a viable option for young professionals.
Administrative work is not an easy task. Most higher executives need support and assistance to ensure that everything is working and adapting according to trends that hype businesses in the modern world. Pursuing an administrative executive career path can help you grow professionally in any industry.
Administrative executives play a critical role as they do a lot of technical and clerical work across organisations. During the pandemic, they are also expected to work on their regular responsibilities virtually. Needless to say, the administrative executive career path is high-demand despite the trying times because of their technical skills and flexibility.
Are you interested in building an administrative executive career path? Here is JobStreet’s complete guide for you.
What does an administrative executive do?
Administrative executives are the backbone of higher-level management. Since most top-drawer executives are busy holding a lot of responsibilities, they need someone to rely on. Thus, administrative executives assist them by shouldering responsibilities they are delegated with.
By performing management and clerical duties, administrative executives support the company’s higher executives. If you are pursuing this career path, expect to handle a wide variety of duties. These include representing the organisation, maintaining confidentiality for the team, receiving important emails and phone calls, and advising administrative personnel.
Other responsibilities include:
- Communicating and interacting with clients
- Receiving calls, emails, and faxes
- Handling queries from higher executives
- Preparing important documents
- Scheduling and managing appointments
- Maintaining confidentiality for other companies
- Giving administrative advice
Salary Range
According to Payscale, the average annual salary of an administrative executive is RM34,527. The base salary would range from RM3,000 to RM51,000, depending on your experience. Some companies would even offer a bonus pay of RM2,000-14,000 for this job.
As with most positions, however, the more experience you have, the higher the salary they would offer. Other factors include an applicant's skills and education and the company’s size. With 5-8 years of experience, an administrative executive’s salary can be as high as RM58,000 annually.
What is the career path of an administrative executive?
An administrative executive career path will surely enhance your leadership, management, and interpersonal skills. Expect to do a lot of organisational and technical work that could help you prepare for higher positions in your team. You may also be teamed up with a mentor who will give you a variety of tasks across the company.
Working on different assignments can help you familiarise yourself with the industry and manage work for other employees. Use this to your advantage: Build trust with the company and assure them that you are prepared for bigger responsibilities.
Being an administrative executive can also enhance your skills and grow your career in the industry. Your higher executives will mentor you on your work and ensure that you are fit for the team. In this job, you can network with different people by interacting with them for business deals for your company. As time goes by, you will also build consistency, understanding, and trust from your employers for bigger responsibilities that may be assigned to you.
For example, an administrative executive can become a part of the managerial team of a company after years of experience. An administrative executive who is familiar with the company’s industrial work can work with less supervision from other higher executives. With exceptional work experience and skills, you can aim for higher positions with higher job salaries as you learn from this job.
Administrative executive career path
Junior to Mid-level (0-7 years of experience)
Senior-level (8 years or more)
What requirements do you need to become an administrative executive?
Administrative executives handle a lot of important emails, documents, and queries for their higher executives. You are a part of the administrative team. Therefore, you will be expected to offer a lot for the company. The job requires both soft and technical skills such as:
Computer literacy
Most documents, such as emails, will be processed using a computer or a laptop. You must have basic knowledge in using communication software and the Internet.
Good written and oral communication
Interacting with different clients would require a lot of good communication skills. You should know and understand the documents you handle for your company.
Flexibility and agility
Be flexible to handle unexpected changes of schedules, places, or other details assigned to you. Be open to suggestions from your higher executives and other employees.
Working well with other employees is a must because they provide the work and services that the company needs. Keep in mind that a good working environment is beneficial for both employers and employees.
Problem-solving skills
Looking for different ways to solve a problem can benefit you, your higher executives, and the company itself. You should be competent enough to handle different problems and look for solutions.
Organisational skills
Organise and plan everything to avoid unnecessary problems for the company. Be detail-oriented and make sure everything works well.
Most entry-level administrative executive jobs require a high school diploma. In this day and age, however, companies prefer good communicators who are also computer literate. Needless to say, employers still favour applicants who are college degree-holders with experience that are relevant to the company’s industry.
Opportunities for Continuous Education
Having a diploma or relevant work experience in the company's industry can be a plus, but it is not required. Gaining expertise in the industry you are working in can be achieved through working for a certain position. You can also look for formal learning programs and courses that may help you have a background. If not, you can still learn through mentorship and doing responsibilities for your company.
How to write an administrative executive resume
Remember to highlight your skills and relevant experience when making an administrative assistant resume.
Mention your educational background, skills, and work experience that are relevant. Market yourself with what you can offer to the company. This can give you better chances of securing a job interview from your employer as they look for candidates that are committed, responsible, and capable of doing work for the company.
Here is an example of a resume for administrative executives.
Farah Putri Ahmad Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Qualification Summary
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Download the Administrative Executive resume template here
Related Careers
You can find easily find other entry-level administrative jobs, as different companies seek professionals in the industry. Most of them require similar skills, while others prefer specialised skills and relevant work experience in their field
An administrative executive career path could be the start of finding opportunities in different industries. Always include the skills that you gained in your previous jobs. These will be advantageous in your career journey.
Take note of these skills as you update your JobStreet profile, so you can attract the right employers to start your career path. You may also search for the #JobsThatMatter to you on our website or app.
For other tips for your career growth, you may visit the Career Resources Hub.
