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What is a coordinator/executive assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted Expert
Matthew Gilbert
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Executive assistants support the work of company managers by taking care of administrative tasks. Depending on the size ad structure of the organization, executive assistants may gain a wider range of responsibilities, functioning as coordinators as well.

Coordinator executive assistants are generally promoted to this position as senior administrative staff. They have been around long enough to work independently and handle complex tasks. They dabble in bookkeeping, maintain and file documents like pros, and find dealing with clients no problem at all.

Managing schedules, organizing meetings, taking care of travel arrangements, planning events, preparing reports will all be on your to-do-list, which is very far from inclusive as it is. Basically, you will have to make sure your manager thinks things just happen on their own.

What general advice would you give to a Coordinator/Executive Assistant?

Matthew Gilbert

Lecturer of Marketing, Coastal Carolina University

The unique circumstances caused by COVID-19 have impacted every area of our lives. New graduates will likely find themselves in a more challenging situation than was the case previously. Given this, I encourage graduates who are just beginning their careers to be ACES: adaptive, communicative, effective, and supportive. ACES is a slang term meaning being highly regarded; in the context of the suggested acronym, consider the following explanation.

Adaptive: Remain open to top unexpected opportunities. Venturing into a new normal requires flexibility and openness; this could mean taking a job that wasn't considered, but recognizing it could yield skills, connections, and experience that could be useful in future endeavors.

Communicative: Leverage LinkedIn to network professionally and politely for opportunities, but don't connect with someone and immediately ask for a job. Call your contacts and catch up without a specific agenda; you never know what ideas might emerge. Email individuals, you respect for insights and advice.

Effective: Make use of your time to learn new skills or acquire certifications that demonstrate the value you can add to an organization. Consider volunteering for a cause close to your heart; it makes you feel better, but you could connect personally and/or professionally with new people.

Supportive: Finding a job in a normal year is challenging enough, but in a pandemic, it's an entirely different experience. Keep in contact with your friends and fellow graduates; even a short message asking how they're doing or inviting them to a social distance coffee together could brighten a day you didn't know was dark for someone else.
ScoreCoordinator/Executive AssistantUS Average
Salary
5.0

Avg. Salary $63,929

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
3.6

Growth Rate -8%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.40%

Asian 5.00%

Black or African American 7.62%

Hispanic or Latino 11.22%

Unknown 4.80%

White 70.97%

Gender

female 89.80%

male 10.20%

Age - 51
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 51
Stress Level
3.6

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
5.7

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
7.9

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

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Coordinator/Executive Assistant career paths

Key steps to become a coordinator/executive assistant

  1. Explore coordinator/executive assistant education requirements

    Most common coordinator/executive assistant degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.9 %

    Associate

    19.4 %

    Master's

    6.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific coordinator/executive assistant skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Data Entry11.37%
    PowerPoint10.00%
    Financial Reports6.96%
    Payroll5.85%
    Calendar Management4.66%
  3. Complete relevant coordinator/executive assistant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New coordinator/executive assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a coordinator/executive assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real coordinator/executive assistant resumes.
  4. Research coordinator/executive assistant duties and responsibilities

    • Design PowerPoint presentations, manage complex calendars, prepare and process global travel reservations and expenses.
    • Monitor emails and confidential correspondence, complete and submit expense reports, manage departmental projects and create PowerPoint presentations.
    • Provide proofreading, word processing, and graphics support, as needed.
    • Process required documents through payroll and insurance providers to ensure accurate record keeping and proper deductions.
  5. Get coordinator/executive assistant experience

    Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a coordinator/executive assistant. The most common roles before becoming a coordinator/executive assistant include executive assistant, administrative assistant team lead and office manager.
  6. Prepare your coordinator/executive assistant resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your coordinator/executive assistant resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a coordinator/executive assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Coordinator/Executive Assistant Resume templates

    Build a professional Coordinator/Executive Assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Coordinator/Executive Assistant resume.
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  7. Apply for coordinator/executive assistant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a coordinator/executive assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Coordinator/Executive Assistant Job

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Average coordinator/executive assistant salary

The average Coordinator/Executive Assistant salary in the United States is $63,929 per year or $31 per hour. Coordinator/executive assistant salaries range between $41,000 and $97,000 per year.

Average Coordinator/Executive Assistant Salary
$63,929 Yearly
$30.74 hourly

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Coordinator/Executive Assistant reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2024
Pros

Depending on the org & boss, can be a nice variety & challenges

Cons

Depending on the org & boss, position can become stale & boxed in


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Working on special projects and data collection for division chief medical officer

Cons

Scheduling meetings


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

I enjoy the diversity of assignments.

Cons

Micromanagement from our umbrella agency.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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