Amanda Allegretti

I think my father gave me my work ethic, for sure. I attribute my success to my ability to ask the hard questions and my empathy for people. My bosses always say I am somebody who is always thinking of others and always there. I go above and beyond with the little things - I think outside the box and I'm not afraid to ask questions. If I don't understand something, instead of just saying 'okay, cool' and then struggling, I ask for clarification. I work smarter, not harder, and I'm not afraid to ask other people for help because you're one person. I think doing the little things to help somebody's day be a little bit better, offering your help, and being open - those are the reasons why so many high-level companies want to work with me.

The best career advice I've received is that there's always this connotation that an executive assistant is just a secretary who gets coffee, but that is not the job at all. You make your experience as an executive assistant how you want it to be. You are shaping people's daily lives and the company itself. Don't take a backseat - you are a thought partner with who you are supporting, and they want to hear from you as well. We have the inside view to what's going on, so really make the most of being there. Learn about the company, not just who you are supporting. Essentially, don't go into the background - you're their second person, you're right there with them.

I would say read books, listen to podcasts, and ask other EAs to talk with you. I remember talking to other executives and asking them what they want in an EA - like, what am I doing right now that I could do more of that would show I'm ready for the next step? Sit with the EAs and shadow them. It's one thing to know what we're doing and wonder why she's always so busy, but then to actually see that we wear all the hats and our day is ever-changing. Put yourself out there. There's going to be a thousand no's to the one yes. When applying for jobs, apply for it - you sell yourself. It just takes that one person, that one company that takes that chance on you, and then your career starts. Don't be so put back by no's - someone will say yes, and you will get where you need to go. Also, when people interview you, you're interviewing them too, and if it doesn't feel right, you shouldn't work for them.

Trust is huge - you've got to be able to trust who you're working for, and they've got to be able to trust you. Openness is huge, being able to have the hard conversations but being able to have those with kindness and empathy and understanding. I need people to listen to understand, not listen to talk and rebut. Open communication is essential - I can't do my job if they're not giving me the tools I need to do it, and the same goes for friendships and relationships. You get what you put out. I value someone who values me as a thought partner, a friend, a co-worker.