Executive assistant

In short

What does an executive assistant do?

An executive assistant supports the management team with administrative and organizational tasks such as managing agendas and scheduling meetings.

How much does an executive assistant earn?

As an indication, an executive assistant earns between €2,300 and €3,400 gross per month in the Netherlands, depending on experience, employer and region.

What education do you need to become an executive assistant?

In the Netherlands you usually get there through vocational education (MBO).

Career description

An executive secretary manages administrative tasks for senior executives, including scheduling meetings, handling correspondence, and preparing reports. Key skills include organization, communication, and proficiency in office software. Typically working in corporate offices, this role may require an associate degree or relevant certification in office administration.

Salary range

Salaried: €2,300 - €3,400 (Netherlands) gross per month (varies by industry, region, and experience).

Compare salaries across careers.

Education and preparation

Education level for Executive assistant: MBO.

Focus on practical experience, internships, and specializations that fit this field.

RIASEC profile for this career

Top profile: Conventional (90%), followed by Realistic (20%).

Scores: R 20 • I 20 • A 20 • S 20 • E 20 • C 90

About the Executive assistant career

An executive assistant plays a vital role in supporting senior executives by managing a range of administrative and organizational tasks. You act as the right hand to top-level management, ensuring their schedules run smoothly, communications are handled efficiently, and important documents are prepared accurately. This role is essential for keeping an executive’s day-to-day operations organized and productive, allowing them to focus on strategic decisions and leadership duties.

This job suits individuals who thrive in structured environments where attention to detail and multitasking are key. If you enjoy coordinating schedules, communicating clearly with different teams, and using office technology to streamline processes, you will likely find satisfaction as an executive assistant. It also appeals to those who prefer a blend of conventional office work with opportunities to interact socially and take initiative within a business setting.

A working day as a Executive assistant

A typical day as an executive assistant begins by reviewing your executive’s calendar and preparing them for upcoming meetings or deadlines. You might start by confirming appointments, arranging travel plans, and organizing documents needed for presentations or discussions. This preparation ensures that the executive’s time is used efficiently and that they are always well-informed and ready for the day ahead.

Throughout the day, you communicate regularly with colleagues, clients, and external partners to coordinate meetings, relay messages, and handle any urgent requests that come up. You often act as a gatekeeper, prioritizing which matters need your executive’s attention and which can be resolved independently. This requires maintaining a professional demeanor and strong interpersonal skills to manage relationships across departments and organizations.

You frequently collaborate with other administrative staff, such as office managers or receptionists, to ensure smooth office operations. You may also work closely with project teams, finance departments, or human resources to gather information and prepare reports or presentations. Your role is highly dynamic, balancing routine administrative duties with unexpected tasks that require flexibility and quick problem-solving.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Manage and maintain the executive’s calendar, scheduling meetings and appointments efficiently.
• Handle incoming and outgoing correspondence, including emails, phone calls, and mail, ensuring timely responses.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and documents needed for meetings or strategic planning.
• Coordinate travel arrangements, including booking flights, accommodations, and transportation.
• Organize and maintain filing systems, both digital and physical, to keep information accessible and secure.
• Liaise between the executive and internal or external stakeholders to facilitate communication and project progress.
• Monitor deadlines and follow up on action items to ensure tasks are completed on time.

Skills and traits

Organization

Being highly organized is crucial because you manage multiple tasks and schedules simultaneously, which helps prevent errors and missed deadlines. Good organization also allows you to prioritize effectively, ensuring your executive’s time is used efficiently.

Communication

Strong communication skills are essential for interacting with executives, colleagues, and external contacts clearly and professionally. You need to convey information accurately, listen attentively, and negotiate when necessary to coordinate activities smoothly.

Proficiency with Office Software

You must be comfortable using various office software, such as word processors, spreadsheets, and email platforms, to prepare documents and manage communications. Familiarity with calendar management tools and presentation software is also important for supporting your executive effectively.

Attention to Detail

A keen eye for detail ensures that all documents, schedules, and communications are accurate and error-free, which reflects well on your executive and the organization. This skill helps you catch potential issues before they become problems.

Discretion and Confidentiality

You often handle sensitive information, so maintaining discretion and confidentiality is vital to protect your executive’s privacy and the company’s interests. Trustworthiness builds confidence in your role and relationships.

Problem-Solving

Unexpected challenges frequently arise, requiring you to think quickly and find practical solutions. Being resourceful and proactive helps keep operations running smoothly despite interruptions or changes.

Which personality fits?

Your RIASEC profile shows a strong Conventional (80%) and Social (70%) orientation, indicating you enjoy structured, rule-based environments where you can support others through organization and clear communication. You likely prefer tasks that involve following established procedures and helping people solve problems or coordinate activities. The high Conventional score suggests you value order and reliability, while the Social aspect means you gain satisfaction from collaborative work and assisting others.

With Enterprising at 50%, you also have a moderate interest in influencing others and taking initiative, which suits the proactive nature of an executive assistant role. Your Investigative (30%), Artistic (25%), and Realistic (20%) scores are lower, meaning you may be less drawn to creative, technical, or hands-on tasks. Overall, your personality aligns well with a career that balances systematic work with interpersonal interaction and occasional leadership within a business context.

Education and route

The typical educational path to becoming an executive assistant often starts with vocational training, such as an MBO-level program in Management Assistant or office administration. These programs provide practical skills in office software, communication, and organizational techniques tailored to administrative roles. Vocational education is well-suited for preparing you quickly for the responsibilities of supporting executives in business settings.

Some executive assistants may pursue further education, like applied bachelor’s degrees, to enhance their qualifications and open doors to higher-level administrative or managerial positions. However, in many cases, strong vocational training combined with relevant work experience is sufficient to enter this career. Internships or apprenticeships during your studies offer valuable hands-on experience, allowing you to apply your skills in real office environments and build professional networks.

Programs like Management Assistant at the MBO level focus specifically on the competencies needed for this role, including scheduling, document preparation, and communication skills. Completing such a program helps you develop the practical knowledge and confidence to perform effectively as an executive assistant. Depending on the employer and country, additional certifications in office management or software proficiency may also enhance your employability.

Pay and career progression

Your salary as an executive assistant depends on several factors including your level of experience, the sector you work in, and the region or country where your job is based. For example, working in large corporate offices or international businesses may offer higher compensation compared to smaller companies or nonprofit organizations. Experience and demonstrated skills often lead to better pay as you take on more responsibilities or support higher-level executives.

Career progression can involve moving into senior executive assistant roles, where you support multiple executives or more complex operations. Some choose to specialize in areas like project coordination or office management, while others transition into roles such as office manager or administrative supervisor. With further education and experience, opportunities to enter human resources or business administration also become available.

Where do you work?

Corporate offices

Large companies often employ executive assistants to support senior management and ensure smooth administrative operations.

Small and medium enterprises

Smaller businesses may have executive assistants who handle a broader range of tasks due to leaner staffing.

Nonprofit organizations

Executive assistants in nonprofits help manage communications and logistics for leadership teams focused on social causes.

Government agencies

Public sector offices require executive assistants to maintain efficient administration and support elected officials or department heads.

Consulting firms

In consulting, executive assistants coordinate schedules and communications for consultants working with diverse clients.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Opportunity to develop strong organizational and communication skills.
• Work closely with senior executives and gain insight into business operations.
• Variety in daily tasks keeps the role engaging and dynamic.
• Potential for career advancement into management or specialized administrative roles.

Cons

• Can involve high-pressure situations with tight deadlines.
• Requires managing competing priorities and sometimes long or irregular hours.
• May involve routine tasks that some find repetitive.
• Responsibility for confidential information can be stressful.

The future of this career

Technology continues to transform the executive assistant role, with automation handling routine scheduling and communication tasks, allowing you to focus more on strategic support and relationship management. Digital tools improve collaboration and document management, making your work more efficient but also requiring you to stay updated with new software and platforms.

Societal changes emphasize flexible work arrangements and remote support, meaning executive assistants often coordinate virtual meetings and manage digital workflows across different locations. This evolution demands adaptability and strong virtual communication skills, as well as the ability to maintain personal connections in a more digital work environment.

Does Executive assistant suit you?

• Do you enjoy organizing schedules and managing multiple tasks simultaneously?
• Are you comfortable communicating professionally with people at all levels of an organization?
• Do you like working in structured environments where procedures and rules guide your tasks?
• Can you maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information responsibly?
• Are you proactive in solving problems and adapting to unexpected challenges?

Frequently asked questions about Executive assistant

What education do I need to become an executive assistant?

Typically, vocational education such as an MBO-level program in Management Assistant or office administration is sufficient. Some roles may prefer additional certifications or applied bachelor's degrees, but practical skills and experience are highly valued.

How demanding is the workload?

The workload can be demanding, especially when supporting senior executives with tight schedules and urgent requests. You need to manage competing priorities efficiently and sometimes work beyond regular hours to meet deadlines.

What factors influence an executive assistant’s salary?

Salary depends on experience, the sector you work in, and the region or country. Larger companies or international organizations often offer higher pay, while smaller businesses may have more modest compensation.

Can I become an executive assistant if I want to change careers?

Yes, many people enter this field as a career change by acquiring relevant vocational training and gaining experience through internships or entry-level administrative roles. Strong organizational and communication skills are key to making a successful transition.

Is prior experience necessary to get hired?

While some employers prefer candidates with previous administrative experience, vocational training combined with internships or apprenticeships can help you build the skills needed to start as an executive assistant. On-the-job learning is common.

Are there opportunities for career advancement?

Yes, you can progress to senior executive assistant roles, office management, or specialize in areas like project coordination. Further education and experience can also open doors to broader business administration or human resources positions.

Next step

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