Even before you have decided to relocate your skills to another workplace, you should have your resume ready to go. The decision to change your career direction or your workplace can sometimes come quickly and without warning. By keeping your resume updated consistently, you ensure that you are always ready at a moment’s notice to make your transition as smooth as possible. You don’t just want to have a resume ready. You need to make sure it also stands out above and beyond the rest. Let’s discuss a few tips that will help you create your “beyond resume!”

Before we go through each tip for building an impressive resume, remember that you are marketing yourself as if you were a brand of your own. Keep this in mind throughout the entire resume-building process to tell your story as a professional.

Make Your Resume Unique to the Specific Position You Are Applying For

According to career expert Jason Hill, founder of Sound Advice Careers, “One of the most common resume mistakes … is creating one single resume and sending it out to every hiring company they can find.” Understand what the company is looking for within the job description and display those details in your resume. Customizing your resume may be time-consuming for each job application, but it will make you stand out. Once you know the specifics this position is looking for, include a skills summary at the top of your resume that applies.

Incorporate Position Specific Keywords and Proactive Action Verbs

Did you know resumes are rarely viewed by people during the beginning review process? Niquenya Collins, president and CEO of Building Bridges Consulting, explains, “Instead, a computerized Applicant Tracking System (ATS) takes the first crack at narrowing the hundreds of applications received by every job announcement.” The ATS does so by choosing specific keywords and phrases matching the job description. When you write the bullet points under each position you have had in the past, describe your achievements at each company, not simply your job description, and use data when possible. In the description of your accomplishments, try not to use the bland wording “responsible for.” Use corrective action verbs to describe your past position better. Consider using this article from themuse.com to find the perfect action verb to describe your specific contribution to a past employer.

Layout Your Resume Properly

If you are a professional who has been in the workforce for several years, always place your experience section before the education section in your resume. Employers do not generally care where you receive an education when looking for a seasoned professional. It also helps the employer see your work timeline if it is in reverse chronological order.

Keep Your Resume Pristine and Uncluttered

To stand out, you will need a resume that will keep the employer’s attention, which is usually short. A clean resume will have a simple font, like Arial or Times New Roman, and is only one page long. It is no longer necessary to put an objective statement at the top of your resume. Employers generally will not care what type of job you want. They care about the person they are looking to hire. It is also possible to make the resume shorter by leaving out skills you have that the recruiter does not specifically want.

Proofread And Ask for a Fresh Set of Eyes

Just like when you would write an essay in school, make sure you read your resume over once for consistent design, once for grammar, spelling, and word choice, and once more for accuracy if you have any specific information you may have included. Once you have proofread your resume, ask a friend or coworker or someone you can trust to be honest, and ask for detailed feedback.

Last but not least is the “beyond” part of your resume. An article on LinkedIn saying, “New Survey Reveals 85% of All Jobs are Filled Via Networking,” gave professionals proof that who you know is important. One of the best ways to network, especially during a global pandemic when most of the workforce takes place digitally, is to make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and utilized to make connections. You can find more tips by visiting the blog posted on glassdoor.com entitled 14 Tips for Writing a Rockstar Resume. Happy job hunting!

What happens when you realize that you have outgrown your role? Knowing when it’s time to move on is important, especially in your career. Whether your work environment is less than ideal, or you have simply outgrown your position, let’s discuss the clear signs that you should start orchestrating your exit.

Most people remember Mark Twain’s words stating, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Why waste your time in this life we are given working hard in a position you do not enjoy? Some professionals may not even realize they are unhappy with their job, and if they do, they may be too comfortable or simply afraid to leave. An article on Forbes.com entitled 5 Undeniable Signs It’s Time to Leave Your Job guides professionals to a clear awareness of how they feel at work and what signals show they need to find a new position elsewhere.

Are You Unhappy Every Day Doing Your Work?

It is a pretty clear sign that a professional needs to move on if they do not feel fulfilled at work. Notice if you feel respected enough for your work and if you can be yourself in your work environment. If not, do not ignore these feelings. Act on them.

Is Your Work Environment Toxic?

It is a major red flag if you are not treated appropriately by your team, boss, or even the company’s human resources. If you disagree with the ethics and mission of the company you work for, you will never enjoy contributing to it at work. Do the leadership and environment give you room to achieve growth? Do not get stuck in a role you cannot use to propel your career.

Do You Feel Confident That You Have Mastered the Skills Your Position Requires?

Kathy Caprino, the author of the article mentioned above, explains this sign perfectly when she says, “What we’re good at is not the same as what we love doing.” If you are expending all of your energy doing something menial simply because you know you can do it, you will eventually become burnt out.

Do You Feel Like You Are Meant To Do Bigger and Better Things?

Many professionals have a hard time voicing that they feel their skills could be applied in a position with a broader reach and more responsibilities because it may sound arrogant. Do not ignore this feeling. It only shows confidence and signals that a role you can be more effective in is out there. Finding this role will come with future satisfaction!

Are Your Work Goals Meaningful to You?

If the answer to the above question is no, this is a significant sign you need to find another position elsewhere. Why work hard towards an outcome if you do not feel like you positively contribute to the world? There is no way for you to succeed in your role if you do not believe in what you’re doing.

Leaving the comfort of your job can be difficult, but you do not want to look back on your career years down the road and feel regret. Concerns about money and starting a new job with new people in a new environment is not a reason to avoid moving on to your perfect role. These concerns mean you need to consider where you want to be before doing so. Just make sure you do move on when you see the signs.

Are you stuck trying to figure out how to develop in your role and further your professional career? Continued education is key to success – especially in an industry where everything is moving at warp speed. There are many ways to improve the skills you already have, as well as broaden your existing skill set – Let’s talk about thinking outside the box. 

Tasks given to you by the Executive will most likely require a mixture of soft and hard skills, hybrid skills. Skills Administrative and Executive Assistants need to become an expert in are less evident to individuals who do not have too many hours of experience. To improve these skills, you need to commit to a plan for improvement and continue the pursuit as you gain more experience.

Ways to Improve the Skills You Have

Before you begin executing your skills improvement plan, you need to understand what type of learning style works best for your personality and lifestyle. First, you may be a visual learner, where you prefer to learn a lesson by following instructions written out for you. Second, many people are auditory learners, which means you choose instructions to be said aloud and may even repeat them to yourself. The third type of learning style is kinesthetic,  meaning you have an easier time retaining steps to skill improvement when you can experience them hands-on. Once you know which learning style to use, you can effectively plan to improve the skills you need.

An article on Indeed.com entitled How to Develop Your Skill Set suggests setting goals for yourself as a way to improve your skills and states, “consider organizing a timeline to achieve your goal by setting a beginning and end date, as well as smaller goals to achieve along the way.” Experts in being an Executive Assistant recommend finding a mentor you can learn from and seek feedback from your team and boss about your strengths and weaknesses. You will also boost your skills more effectively by taking advantage of continuing education courses and company training. You can even take classes outside your industry, which will give you a wider variety of skills to impress your boss. Remember the training offered by AdminUniverse? If not, you can find more information here.

Think Outside the Administrative Skills Box

Now, let’s discuss what skills confident Executive Assistants recommend boosting. Refer back to the blog post entitled 17 Executive Assistant Skills In 2021 For Insane Effectiveness on SnackNation.com. This article lays out a descriptive picture of the modern-day EA’s position when it says, “executives lean on their assistants not just for admin help, but for strategic counsel, technical expertise, and critical analysis. EAs are expected to dabble in things as wide and varied as project management, event planning, and internal communications.”

Below you will find a rough list of skills suggested by Jeff Murphy, the author of the article mentioned above from SnackNation.com.

• All the Best-Kept Secrets

Throughout your career as an EA, it is crucial to improve problem-solving skills by keeping a digital or written list of a wide range of contacts along with an arsenal of tips and tricks that have successfully gotten you out of a bind.

• Calm Under Pressure

An Executive Assistant’s skillful emotional regulation positively affects his or her boss’s ability to cope with a high-pressure job properly. Check out the SnackNation.com titled 14 Easy Ways to Create a Zen Office Space on a Budget for ways to keep calm and clear.

• Dogged Resourcefulness

You use resourcefulness skills by utilizing your best-kept secrets or resources. Common strategies you would think to utilize in your everyday life outside of work, like Craigslist, often make up your resources list.

• Tech Prowess

Understanding the devices, applications, and programs you use the most on the job and knowing how to troubleshoot common problems your boss experiences are valuable skills to have.

If you continue to the next blog post, we dive deeper into the last thirteen skills discussed in this valuable publication. See you there!

Do you know how to use networking to create career opportunities? Networking is more important to your professional development than ever before: In this blog we explore  the importance of networking and growing your professional circle, as well as who should be in that circle and how to make the best connections. 

To reap your business network’s benefits, you must first figure out who to fill it with. Then, you need to utilize social opportunities and technology to grow your circle.

Who should be in your professional circle?

The goal is to cover all of the bases in your administrative position and prove yourself indispensable. An article in the online magazine Executive Secretary entitled Build the Strongest Network Ever states, “Building the strongest business network means you have access or contacts in all the areas we rely upon as assistants: travel, IT, project management, meeting planning, business writing, social media, AI, HR issues, finance, and many more.” 

For any Administrative Professional, building a network filled with people in all sorts of industries is vital. Ensure you know more than one person to call if the computer, phone, or tablet is not working correctly. Before traveling, research businesses near you that can quickly ship a new device to you and keep it for future emergencies. It is also handy to befriend tech-savvy people who can also keep you updated on the latest productivity programs and applications.

Executive Assistants are nominally responsible for planning and managing events and important meetings. A good portion of your network will include food, entertainment, venue, and party vendors for this reason. It is also essential to remember guests with different needs like alternative meals due to food allergies or special seating for disabled individuals and to include professionals or consultants specializing in such accommodations in your contact list. 

Use your discretion and make a list of the places you most commonly need to go for work. Do not forget international locations where you may benefit from knowing a translator or transportation. It will also be easier to find answers specific to your position if you keep up with other people with the same title at different companies. They may even share some of their reliable contacts with you. Last but certainly not least, keep an emergency contact list of individuals from the family and friends of your boss and the team members you work with the most.

How do I form a professional relationship with my progressing circle?

To fill your professional circle with the correct people, you must exercise your networking and communication skills in social environments, both online and in person. Old fashion face-to-face networking is very effective but is difficult with the global pandemic. Thankfully, there are many resources you can use virtually.

Twitter is a great way to meet professionals from different industries if you need anything from a technology expert to a catering contract for an event you are planning. Connecting with a wide variety of professionals from other companies can also be done through LinkedIn. To find individuals who understand what your daily experience at work is like, Administrative or Executive Assistants, join as many Facebook Groups and Meetup groups as you can. Maybe start your own. Keep these essential contacts by “paying it forward” as a blog post entitled 17 Executive Assistant Skills In 2021 For Insane Effectiveness on SnackNation.com explains, “If you’re browsing an online board or attending an event and hear of another EA in need, offer your services immediately.”

If your new connection is near you, ask them to have coffee and exchange tips and tricks. Be safe and wear a mask, of course, during these times. Many Executive Assistants have the advantage of being around many professionals from different departments because they work directly under management. Take advantage of your position and make as many lunch dates with as many people as you can. Try not to leave without their contact information. You can also safely attend events and webinars targeted towards professionals in diverse fields you can make use of in your overflowing contact list for any emergency imaginable. Many are online. If you find some meetings you must go to in person, you can always do so safely through social distancing and, the proper use of personal protection equipment.

It takes a village to properly raise a child and a strong business network to maintain a successful Administrative or Executive Assistant.

Remember those goals you set for 2021? We’re a few months into the year now, cautiously optimistic about how everything is going, and it’s time to check in with yourself about the goals you set at the start of the year. In this blog we will discuss the importance of revisiting goals that you set in the beginning of the year and how to revamp your goals after revaluation.

Possibly Revamping Your Goals

2020 was a rough year, and many experts advised individuals to make smaller, more available resolutions for 2021 since the mass majority of people needed to improve their mental health. Smaller goals are more likely to be achieved, which results in people feeling good about themselves.

Before revisiting your 2021 resolutions, you may want to revamp them to fit the global pandemic’s current, unusual circumstances. According to the article How To Set And Reach Goals In The New Year posted on a personal finance and lifestyle blog website called Making Sense Of Cents, “about 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s goals each year. And, only 75% of those who are setting 2021 resolutions will follow through with them after the first week of the year.” The post also reports that “25% of people will stop working towards their resolutions after just the first week.” Many people make the mistake of creating goals they are not motivated to achieve or do not have time to complete.

With these numbers as our reality, this blog post is probably the only way to remind busy Administrative Professionals of the importance of revisiting one’s New Year’s resolutions or what many also refer to as goals. Many may even need to start over entirely and make new goals because they may have forgotten to write the original resolutions down. Either way, it is essential to ask yourself the questions addressed in the article mentioned above.

• Is your goal specific enough?
• Is your goal achievable?
• Is your goal realistic?

How To Revisit Your Goals And See Them Through

By visualizing your resolutions regularly, you will easily remember what you are working towards and gain more motivation. An Administrative Professional can practice visualizing their goal by creating a vision board one can see every day, starting a blog or a journal, and keeping a picture, a visual representation of your goal, on your desk or in your home. If you need a more blatant reminder, you can use post-it notes listing your resolutions around your office and house or put the due dates of your goals into the calendar of your computer or phone where you can set the alarm.

Going back to the original suggestion of making smaller, more available resolutions, facing an entire year of working towards your goals can be daunting. These goals will feel more comfortable to achieve by breaking them down into steps. Each month can mark the time you must complete one of twelve steps that make up one goal. For example, if you resolve to start a successful Administrative Assistant blog, you can begin by brainstorming blog post topics in January. Then, by May, you can set a step to reach a certain number of subscribers. Finally, by October, you can select the action to earn a certain amount of money from your blog, and by December, you will have a successful blog.

Finally, if you happen to know someone with the same goal, use them as an accountability partner and maybe even turn into a friendly competition. By consistently reminding yourself of the goals you set for 2021 and completing portions of your resolution, you will find yourself less stressed and more likely to get to the finish line.

You’re ready to address your promotion – how do you have “the conversation” with your boss? How do you address the compensation? What about negotiating? Let’s discuss all these important points that you cannot skip.

Ramit Sethi, author of the book and website I Will Teach You to Be Rich, offers a word-for-word script he suggests professionals use when asking for a promotion. Visit the article How to Ask for a Promotion and enter your information in the form at the bottom of the page.

How To Go Into The Situation

Let’s start with the “how” part of having the conversation with your boss about a promotion. First and foremost, make sure you go into the room with confidence. You have already asked yourself the three questions to validate that you deserve a promotion, so go in there believing it with your verbal and nonverbal display! We have already discussed when to have this conversation, but it is also essential to give yourself enough time to have the conversation. Similar to going in with confidence, having the right attitude will contribute to your case. Remember, this is not about you. It is about the company and how positive you are about your future with the company.

The other side of your positive attitude involves preparing yourself if your boss says no. Turn this into an opportunity for feedback and return to a promotion conversation with the Executive down the road. Along with your rehearsed script, go in knowing the monetary value associated with the position you are asking for. You can use this Salary Survey from PayScale.com.

Time to Address Compensation

An article from Girlboss.com entitled How To Negotiate… When You’re Already Getting That Promotion also advises Administrative Professionals to complete their research to incorporate into the conversation. The article states, “once you are appropriately armed, pitch for your desired compensation without regard to the percentage increase beyond your current salary. For example, if you discover that the competitive pay for your role requires a $50K bump, which happens to be much higher than the hypothetical 5-10% compensation increase aligned with company policy for a promotion, then lay down all the research and fight for it.”

Thinking outside the financial box is also important when negotiating your new role’s compensation. What are the other aspects of your new position you find vital? Remember to mention the answer to this question, which could be anything from moral responsibility to a new specific set of skills, while talking numbers.

Support your compensation request not only with numbers but also reasoning. Promotions often require an increase in responsibility, followed by an increase in the time you are giving to the company. Time is money.

Although going into the conversation confident will increase your success, remember to be flexible numbers-wise when it comes to your salary. Some departments have larger budgets than others. Again, research your company before going into this conversation. You can always ask for an alternative way to add to your compensation, such as additional stock in the company.

Remember the ultimate goal when asking your boss for a promotion. Set yourself up for success, and do not forget to celebrate yourself and your hard work when promoted and receive a raise in compensation!

You’ve been working to hone your skills and following your promotion strategy since Day One. Now, how do you know when it is time to have that critical conversation? Let’s talk about how to know it’s time to address your promotion.

If you feel like you have gathered enough experience and documented your progress, there are three questions to answer before approaching the Executive. According to a blog post entitled How To Ask For A Raise (And Actually Get One!) from The Interview Guys, a website dedicated to helping people get, keep, and grow within a job, they advise administrative professionals to make sure you know the answer to the questions below.

• Do you deserve to be promoted?

Take a step back for a moment before confronting your boss and make sure this promotion, a significant life change, is what you want. Verify that you will be happy in the position you are working toward. Evaluate your coworkers and see if anyone else is working just as hard and has just as many skills as you do. Compare yourself to them. 

• Have you done your research before asking for a promotion?

There are things to look into before approaching management about a significant change in their company. The article mentioned above states, “make sure you know ahead of time exactly what you’re asking for and have a solid, well thought out dollar amount in your head. Don’t just make up a number; you’ll run the risk of asking for too much/too little.” Factoring in your current responsibilities and the tasks you complete above and beyond your experience level, use sites like PayScale or Comparably to determine salary ranges appropriate for the position you are asking for. You can also go on to job sites and see what other companies are paying individuals applying for the position you want.

• Can your employer afford to give you a promotion?

Look into the company’s financial status and make sure you are not asking for something they cannot afford.

Strategic Timing

Once you are unbiased and confident about approaching your boss, several factors will set you up for success once you approach him or her. First, similar to asking your parents for something when you were a kid, ask your boss for a promotion when they are in a good mood. Second, if you happen to be offered a better position by another company that has noticed your workplace skills, this is the perfect time to ask the Executive to promote you. This particular circumstantial factor is not in your control, and that does not give you a right to lie that you have received another offer. Your boss will catch your bluff. Last but certainly not least, make sure you wait until the right time during the day to approach your boss. For example, if you ask for a moment with the Executive right before lunchtime, he or she may not be in the best mood due to hunger. The same thing applies to approaching him or her at the end of the workday. He or she may be tired and not have the patience to hear your case.

Now that you are positive that this is the right step for you in your next phase of life and the next stage of your career, please wait for the right time when everything falls into place and go for it!

Summary: As an EA, there is a drive to learn and do everything. Efficiency and value within your role is the goal, so how do you get there? With all the skills you can learn, what should you be focusing on? Let’s talk about finding the best skills to suit your strengths and goals and how to create a plan to prioritize learning, honing and practicing them.

You walk into the office in the morning, what are the first things you do? Perhaps it’s open your calendar, rummage through emails, get on the phone with a vendor and make some progress on planning an upcoming event. From the moment you arrive in the morning, you are already utilizing some important skills – whether it’s time management on how to prioritize which tasks get attention first, or communication skills when you are interacting with a colleague or vendor. The question is, what skills should you focus on mastering and why?

Skills to Master And Ways To Implement Them into Daily Tasks

An article on Indeed.com titled Executive Assistant Skills: Definitions and Examples lists the skills customarily required of an EA to be:

Time-management Skills

The ability to organize and compartmentalize the tasks which need to be completed in an effective manner.

Organizational Skills

On any given day, an EA may need to juggle keeping track of company records, managing different projects, and completing pages of task lists the Executive does not have time to complete. 

Administrative Skills

There is always an opportunity to practice these skills in the workplace when taking calls, entering data, and filing company records.

Technology Skills

This article further describes the necessity of this skill set by writing “software and applications for scheduling, recording data, keeping client and contact information organized and other technologies are often essential tools that executive assistants work with. Therefore, employers may require this hard skill of their assistants, as well as the ability to learn and utilize new and unfamiliar software and technology.”

Problem-Solving Skills

Critical Thinking Skills – If something goes awry with a project your Executive needs you to complete by a specific time, you need to develop a creative solution fast.

Strategic Planning Skills

Analytical Skills – Executives often require Executive Assistants to manage projects or plan events by going through different scenarios to find the best approach to completing this task.

Communication Skills

Executive Assistants converse with numerous staff members, clients, and individuals in management every day through different mediums like phone calls, text messaging, direct messaging, video chats, and old-school face-to-face contact. Written and nonverbal communication is also essential. Messages always require proofreading for proper grammar and professional tone to get your message across clearly and confidently.

Networking Skills

Many Executives need their EA to represent the company when recruiting clients or onboarding more employees.

Interpersonal Skills

No matter what medium of communication you are using, interpersonal skills like empathy are always essential to display towards the other person.

Above and Beyond Skills

Solely incorporating each skill described above into your plan will not catapult you towards a promotion. It will make such a difference if the Executive absolutely cannot do his or her job without you. Each time you solve a problem with impressive critical thinking, make sure to jot down what resources you used to pull off the impossible. Eventually, you will have an entire arsenal of secret tricks. Maintain your calm in difficult situations where analytical and problem-solving skills are necessary. Working for an Executive with a high-pressure job often means feeling the pressure yourself, and modeling a calm exterior will prove you are indispensable. SnackNation‘s blog post 14 Easy Ways to Create a Zen Office Space on a Budget is a useful resource when composure is necessary for the workplace.

Becoming a trusted confidant and counselor to your Executive is vital to standing out on your way to a promotion. Take advantage of the people from various departments you can get in front of because of your relationship with the Executive. Learn as much about what happens in the company as possible by picking people’s brains. Take each task on your boss’s plate and prioritize the ones you cannot complete without his or her knowledge. The realization that the Executive Assistant has everything under control is priceless. Refer to another Snack Nation blog post called 17 Executive Assistant Skills In 2021 For Insane Effectiveness for more guidance on how to consistently learn and become an expert in all the skills best to focus on before asking for a promotion from the Executive.