Executive Assistants (NOC 1222)

What They Do Executive assistants perform some or all of the following duties: Establish and co-ordinate administrative policies and procedures for officials, committees and boards of directors Analyze incoming and outgoing memoranda, submissions and reports and prepare and co-ordinate the preparation and submission of summary briefs and reports to executives, committees and boards of directors Prepare agendas and make arrangements for committee, board and other meetings Conduct research, compile data, and prepare papers for consideration and presentation by executives, committees and boards of directors Meet with individuals, special interest groups and others on behalf of executives, committees and boards of directors to discuss issues and assess and recommend various courses of action Liaise with departmental and corporate officials and with other organizations and associations on behalf of executives, committees and boards of directors.

Where They Find Work —    Top Occupational Areas Public administration 18% Finance and insurance 11% Health care and social assistance 9% Wholesale trade 7% Information and cultural industries 6% Other services (except public administration) 6% Educational services 5% Executive assistants work for governments, corporations, and associations. The unionization rate (19%) is below the average (32%) for all occupations. The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Executive Assistants are found in Alberta and Ontario while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Related Occupation(s) Secretaries, Recorders and Transcriptionists (NOC 124) Administrative Officers (NOC 1221) Clerical Supervisors (NOC 121)

Something to Think About To enhance your professional knowledge and broaden your opportunities, consider: Dealing with clients (problem-solving) Gaining knowledge of business document production Reading policy/computer manuals

Use the "Where They Find Work" graph to target your worksearch. It may be easier to get into industries with the most people in this field. Want to work in an industry that hires fewer workers in this field? To be more marketable, check out whether you have the most up-to-date knowledge and technology skills for that industry. Check the provincial/territorial or local information (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca) for opportunities in your area.

What You Need You must have a high school diploma. You may also need a bachelor's degree in public administration, political science or a related discipline as well as experience in a related administrative occupation. Most recent entrants have an undergraduate university degree, and almost 2 in 5 have a community college diploma.

Required/Related    Educational Programs* This will let you explore the program(s) of study that lead to this (these) occupation(s). Computer Science (C720) Political Science (U860) Sociology (U880) Social Work/Welfare (U890) *  These educational programs are listed in the order in which they are most likely to supply graduates to this occupation.

Useful Experience/Skills Leadership Computer literacy Team work Supervisory experience		Useful High School Subjects Business English French
Depending on your background, this Education, Training, and Experience info will help you to: Choose your high school courses Plan your post-secondary program Choose relevant volunteer work Decide what new skills to learn Read job ads, professional journals, and newspapers for what the industry needs and employers want. Talk to employers and employees to find out the exceptional skills and knowledge that will help you land a job.

Current Conditions Your work prospects are rated FAIR because: Employment grew at an average rate. The retirement rate is above average, and the number of retiring workers contributes to job openings. Hourly wages ($20.60) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is below average. The unemployment rate (3%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).

Work Prospects Current   Fair   2009   Fair

Outlook to 2009 Your work prospects will continue to be FAIR because: The employment growth rate will likely be average with some opportunities resulting from increasing competition in business/politics. The retirement rate will likely be above average and the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.

Preparing for the Competition You're more likely to succeed if you build skills in communications/public relations.

If you are beginning your career investigation, national outlooks will give you a good overview of trends. Ready to explore an occupation in more detail? Check provincial/territorial or local outlooks (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca).

What you can expect to make (Average Hourly Earnings ($/hour))
Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 $12.24 $11.74 25-54 $21.11 $19.76 55+ $19.01 $19.59 Overall Average for Ages (20+) This Occupation All Occupations $20.60 $18.07		Hourly wages ($20.60) are close to the national average ($18.07). These earnings are above average for occupations in the business, finance and administration sector and are close to average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at a below-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Your salary can be affected by your background, the company's size and benefits, and the region and setting (urban or rural). Check out salaries in your own region by seeking info from: Employees/unions/associations Employers/human resource people Training institutions and placement services Company websites Professional/trade journals

Close to the average
The unemployment rate (3%) is close to the 2004 average (7%). This rate is close to the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations. A low unemployment rate often means less competition for the jobs available. But you still need to have the required training and experience. A high unemployment rate doesn't necessarily mean you'll have great difficulty getting hired. But it can mean a fluctuating demand for workers, and you may experience bouts of unemployment.		Year This Occupation All Occupations 1991 3% 10% 1992 3% 11% 1993 6% 11% 1994 7% 10% 1995 4% 10% 1996 4% 10% 1997 5% 9% 1998 3% 8% 1999 2% 8% 2000 2% 7% 2001 4% 7% 2002 3% 8% 2003 4% 8% 2004 3% 7%

% of part-time work is about the same as average
This Occupation All Occupations Full-time 91% 81% Part-time 9% 19%		There were 32,700 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 74% since 1997. The percentage of part-time workers is 9% compared to the 2004 average (19%) and has risen significantly since 1997.
When full-time work is difficult to find, look at alternatives such as contract work, consulting, shared positions, and telework.

Average
The percentage of self-employed workers is 5% compared to the 2004 average of 15% and has risen significantly since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Self-Employed 5% 15%
Does this occupation have an above-average rate of self-employment? Consider being your own boss if you can't find work with an employer.

Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 3% 10% 25-54 81% 72% 55+ 17% 12%		The relatively low percentage of younger workers suggests few entry-level job openings, and could point to a greater need for workers with experience or a number of years of training. The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be above average because of a tendency to retire at an earlier-than-average age (60).
Look at the youngest group. A low percentage means fewer openings for brand-new workers. A high percentage means more openings for brand-new workers. Look at the oldest age group. A high percentage means positions could open up from retirements. This could be significant for both mid-career changers and brand-new workers.

Above average
The percentage of women (97%) is above the 2004 average of 48% and has risen since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Percent Women 97% 48%

This page last modified on: 2007-03-31