Hiring for Impact: The Top 5 Qualities Your Next EA Should Have
As someone with several years of experience in recruitment and talent acquisition, I know how crucial the right support staff is to maintaining efficiency and smooth operations. Over the years, I've placed numerous Executive Assistants and other business support roles, and I've seen firsthand how the right hire can elevate an entire organisation.
As an Executive Assistant, you already understand the importance of seamless collaboration, attention to detail, and adaptability. When hiring for additional support roles, focusing on these key traits will help you bring in individuals who complement your work and enhance your organisation’s success:
Proficiency with Technology In a world where technology is at the heart of business operations, your support staff should be comfortable with digital tools and software. Whether it’s managing calendars, communication tools, or project management platforms, their ability to integrate and use these technologies effectively is key to streamlining processes and staying ahead.
Hiring Tip: During interviews, ask candidates about their experience with relevant tools and systems. Look for candidates who show an eagerness to learn and adapt to new technology as it evolves.
Clear Communication Skills Effective communication is vital to ensure smooth coordination and collaboration within your team. Strong communicators can facilitate the flow of information, whether it’s between the team, stakeholders, or clients, ensuring nothing gets lost in translation.
Hiring Tip: Ask candidates to share examples of how they've maintained clear and concise communication in previous roles. Pay attention to how they describe their approach, especially under pressure.
Adaptability Support staff often need to shift priorities, manage last-minute requests, or quickly handle unexpected challenges. Adaptability is a must to ensure tasks are completed efficiently, even when the situation changes on short notice.
Hiring Tip: Ask for examples of times when candidates had to pivot quickly or handle multiple competing priorities. Their ability to adapt and remain effective will be crucial to their success in the role.
Problem-Solving Capabilities Business support roles often involve troubleshooting and finding solutions on the fly. Whether it’s resolving a scheduling conflict or managing a last-minute issue, look for candidates who can think critically and handle problems calmly and efficiently.
Hiring Tip: Ask candidates to describe a time they identified and solved a problem. Look for their approach to problem-solving and how they maintain composure in challenging situations.
Attention to Detail The small things matter. Whether it’s managing complex schedules, reviewing documents, or coordinating logistics, attention to detail ensures nothing falls through the cracks. This skill is essential for maintaining accuracy and professionalism in all tasks.
Hiring Tip: To assess attention to detail, ask candidates about specific instances where they had to manage complex information or ensure accuracy in a previous role. Look for examples that demonstrate their ability to handle details meticulously, whether it’s through managing schedules, reviewing documents, or coordinating multiple moving parts.
Hiring the right business support staff is about finding proactive, reliable, and adaptable team members who will not only help manage day-to-day tasks but also enhance overall efficiency. By focusing on these five key traits, you can build a support team that will complement your work and contribute to the organisation’s long-term success.
