Is it time the generic EA Job Description had an overhaul?

This is for the Talent Acquisition & Managers who recruit EAs.

After recruiting EAs for over 30 years, I've lost count of how many job descriptions I've received that all look exactly the same.

Diary management. Travel. Stakeholder engagement. Meeting coordination. Inbox management.

Fantastic!!

That narrows it down to approximately every EA role in Australia.

The problem is that the things that actually determine whether an EA succeeds are rarely written in the job description.

I've worked on roles where the JD painted a picture of a highly organised executive who needed a bit of support. Five minutes into the briefing, it became clear what they actually needed was someone who could perform emergency surgery on a diary, decipher cryptic text messages sent at 10pm, and gently remind them where they were supposed to be three times a day.

Now, before anyone gets offended, every executive has their quirks. That's what makes them human. But if you're hiring an EA, tell us about them.

Do they move at a million miles an hour?

Do they get distracted by every shiny new idea?

Do they like being challenged, or do they prefer an EA who simply executes?

When things go wrong, are they calm and measured?

These are the things that matter.

The best EA placements happen when we understand the person, not just the position.

Speak to the outgoing EA. Ask the awkward questions. Ask what frustrates the executive. Ask what makes them tick. Ask what causes the relationship to thrive and what causes it to unravel.

And please, tailor the job description to the executive.

You don't need to write, "Our CEO is delightfully chaotic and has never met a calendar invitation they couldn't ignore."

But perhaps there are ways to help candidates read between the lines.

Because the difference between a good EA placement and a great one is rarely found in the duties section.

The best EA job descriptions don't just describe the work. They describe the executive....it's hidden in all the stuff that never makes it onto the page.