What a good EA shortlist includes
Shortlisted EAs have supported leaders at a similar level and have been tested on the work itself.
- Calendar and inbox management for busy leaders
- Travel planning and itineraries
- Board papers and meeting preparation
- Confidential correspondence handled with discretion
- Arabic where local stakeholders call for it
How we test executive assistants
Candidates work through a realistic exercise: a crowded week of conflicting meetings, a travel change and an urgent request. We look at how they prioritise and how they communicate the trade-offs.
References come from the executives they supported, and we ask specifically about discretion and judgement.
UAE-based executive assistants
An EA in the UAE can manage events, office logistics and in-person meetings, and often liaises with government offices and local partners. Arabic is a real advantage in many of these roles.
Remote executive assistants
Calendars, inboxes, research and document preparation can all be handled remotely. South African EAs work almost exactly your hours, while Filipino EAs can prepare the day before you start it.