[Luxenz2]

I have been working as a receptionist for over 3 years now and would like to work as a EA. I have worked for small companies and did functions of PA's as the CEO's did not have Pa's. I believe I can excel in such a post. I have been applying with little luck. How can I explain to prospective employers on my application that I am suitable to avoid being rejected at first glance of my job experiences?

[Aurora82]

Hi,
My first piece of advice would be to look a little closer to home. Is there any way you could gain more EA experience in your current place of work by availing yourself to new responsibilities? While it may be small companies that you have worked for, the core competencies required tend to remain the same. You have to possess excellent organisational skills and an ability to manage your own time and that of your colleagues/superiors. You should be flexible in your approach to work and prepared to re-prioritise tasks at short notice, as well as anticipate changes, and be confident in communicating with people on all levels. You already show confidence that you can excel in an EA post, so I would provide examples of these traits in your resume to illustrate to potential employers that you are more than capable of stepping up. Your traits needn't all be work related, but there must be evidence of them, along with a brief explanation of the outcome.
Good luck with the job search

[Amethyst]

My suggestion would be to start applying for an AA position first. 1) You need the experience and 2) Companies would be more inclined to consider you for an EA position if you have at least 2 solid years of being an AA. In most cases making a jump from receptionist to an EA position would require you to personally know the hiring manager or an executive level manager. To be quite honest, it will be very hard for you to be considered because this is quite a jump. So, please consider using a stepping stone approach to your desired position. It will pay off in the long run.