Being an Assistant isn’t for everyone. Let’s face it, the job has its challenges, and I believe you must genuinely love the role to succeed. So, in this article, we are going to cover career transitions for Executive Assistants.
If you see the position as a stepping stone to something else or a job you’ve fallen into but don’t want to do forever, you’ll never give it your all. And you know what? That’s fine.
Not every lawyer loves their job, and I doubt every accountant jumps out of bed eager to crunch numbers! So, it’s inevitable that some Assistants will eventually want to switch careers.
Or, if you’re like me, who loved being an EA, something might come up that’s too good to pass up. From experience, here are my tips on how to transition your career as an Assistant.
We are going to cover:
This template covers everything you need to get your resume in front of the right recruiters and employers. It is a free downloadable PDF; you can adapt it to create the perfect resume for your career history.
What skills do you use that you can transfer to a different profession?
As Assistants, we’re fortunate because we handle many tasks, so our skills are generally broad. This makes it easier to transition into something different, which greatly helps career transitions for Executive Assistants.
The tricky part is demonstrating that those skills are ideal for a new role. Think about your strengths, core values, and skills.
How can you show that you’re made for this new career? Veronica Richards offers a great session on how Assistants can move into new industries and sectors using their transferable skills.
Once you’ve evaluated your skill set, research where those skills are most needed and add value.
For example, if you have extensive project management experience, you might find that becoming a project manager is a better fit than the Assistant role. Or, if you organize many events, you might want to do that full-time.
Once you’ve built up your experience, preferably within your current company, it’s time to spread your wings and find a new job.
Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself on your résumé. You can tweak your history to highlight all the experience that supports your new career path.
It’s not fraudulent to emphasize the positive skills that match your new career goals. In fact, not using a little creative license could hold you back.
It’s much easier to convince someone of your remarkable skills when they’ve seen you in action or know something about you.
Always reach out to your network when you’re looking for a new role. Your network will be even more invaluable when you’re transitioning to a new career.
I worked with an Assistant who had a passion for marketing. Every time something related to marketing came up, she volunteered. While building her marketing experience, she also studied for a marketing degree through the Open University. Once she felt ready to move into the field, she had both experience and qualifications.
If you want to make a career change, ensure you have the qualifications and expertise to make the transition easier.
This can be easier said than done for Assistants, but we have many articles on how to position yourself for promotions and alternative career paths.
If you transition to a new role within your current company, be prepared for some people to struggle to take you seriously. People don’t like change, and if you’ve been an Assistant and move into another profession, some may find it hard to adjust.
When it’s time to apply for a new job, highlight the skills that match the profession you want to enter. Be realistic because career transitions can take time.
Life is long, and just because you’ve been the world’s best Assistant for years doesn’t mean you can’t make a change if you want to.
The skills, patience, and courage you’ve developed as an Assistant will serve you well in any new role and make you a highly employable person.
Don’t put limits on what you can achieve.
Being an Assistant can be a rewarding and worthwhile career if you love the role. If you’re looking for something different and feel that a transition away from the Assistant profession is the right direction for you, know that it takes courage, time and effort to make a major change. You’ll have to confront your fears and take risks to succeed – but also remember that these attempts may eventually reward you with incredible opportunities and experiences.
With diverse paths of progression available, research potential roles that interest you, witness others making successful transitions in their own lives and talk to experts before taking any steps towards attaining your career goals. And finally, don’t forget that resources like the FREE course – The Job Search Accelerator, exist, which provide essential advice on best job search practices while enabling potential transitions away from the Executive Assistance role.
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