Opportunities & Challenges Of Working As A Remote Executive Assistant

I work as a Remote Executive Assistant, as in I am a full-time employee and work for only one employer as opposed to a Virtual Assistant who does work independently and serves several clients simultaneously. With the advancement of technology and the need bough on by the pandemic, working remotely has become a reality for all types of workers. Here is my list of opportunities and challenges of working as a remote executive assistant:

OPPORTUNITIES

No daily commute: I used to spend about 2.5 hours commuting to and from work before becoming a remote EA. Some days after all the commute I used to be too tired to do anything else in the evenings.

No commute means more time for both work and personal things.

Flexible schedule: As a remote EA, on most days I can work a schedule that works best for me and my executives. I do mostly work 9-5 but can start early or end later and take some time off during the day if needed. I have the freedom to run errands, take my kids to school, attend school functions, etc. as long as I get the job done and meet deadlines.

Saving: While working remotely I save money on travel (gas, bus/train fare), rent (don’t have to live downtown or closer to work where rents are high), eating lunch out, and purchasing lots of business wardrobes.

Better health: I have time to cook and eat healthy meals and get more time to incorporate physical exercise. I can eat lunch with my kids and spend some time playing with them before I get back to work after lunch. To me, more family time also means better mental health.

More family time = Better mental health.

Work environment:  I can work from anywhere. I have set up my workspace the way I want. I work from a coworking space or coffee shop if I want a change of scenery. I can even work while I am travelling.

CHALLENGES

Self-discipline: I feel one must have a lot of dedication, discipline, and self-control to work remotely and not succumb to distractions and procrastinate. So, I always try to be intentional about how I use my time and plan my day and structure my workspace to keep me engaged and less distracted.

Must have a lot of dedication, discipline, and self-control to work remotely and not succumb to distractions and procrastinate.

Workplace social life:  As an EA I have always been the go-to person and the one who keeps the positive pulse of the office going. To maintain a good relationship among colleagues, we as a company have fun social hours, fun chat channels, and casual chats and calls with colleagues to talk about things that aren’t directly related to work. Also, when possible, we schedule in-person coffee/lunch with colleagues and have in-person team meets and retreats.

Communication: Communication is key to a successful partnership between EA and the Executives. When I started working remotely, I had to brush up on my virtual communication skills and make sure I stayed close to my managers and team members. We have an open line of communication, regular check-ins, and audio/video calls to make sure we are all on the same page.

Communication is key to a successful partnership between EA and the Executives.

Technology: Like all remote workers, I rely highly on technology like communication platforms, email, project management tools, smartphones, laptops etc. to stay in touch with colleagues and managers. So, I also spend time learning and keeping up with technology that is evolving so rapidly. 

Work-life balance: There is no clear line between work and home/personal life when working remotely. When we leave a physical office at the end of the day, we tell our brain that work is done, but it is not as easy when you work from home. So, to maintain the balance and signal to my brain when to start and end work, I dress for work, keep a separate workspace, and try to have a clear schedule of when I start and end my workday.

The general perception that an admin or EA should work physically next to you has changed over the last few years and more so during the pandemic. There is no doubt that remote and hybrid work is on the rise and technology is making it easier than ever to stay connected. I believe that if managed properly it increases the quality of life.

Please let me know by commenting below if you work as a remote admin too and if there are any other opportunities and challenges you face.

Published: Canadian association of administrative professionals' national newsletter - 2022 AAP Communiqué Summer Edition