Executive Assistant onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Microsoft Office Specialist (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: outlook or Google Calendar; word, Excel and PowerPoint; zoom or Teams; travel booking platforms
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Executive Assistant training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Protect confidential information and use secure systems
Set up an ergonomic workstation
Follow travel safety and duty-of-care policies
Manage stress with clear boundaries
Shadow an experienced executive assistant through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: run a c-suite executive’s calendar
Supervised practice: plan an international business trip
Supervised practice: take board meeting minutes
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Manage executive calendars and schedule meetings: independently
Plan domestic and international travel: independently
Screen calls, email and visitors: independently
Prepare reports, presentations and board materials: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, Certified Administrative Professional (CAP))
Discuss the career path: Administrative Assistant → Executive Assistant → Senior Executive Assistant
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Run a C-Suite Executive’s Calendar
Plan an International Business Trip
Take Board Meeting Minutes
Calendar management
Travel planning
Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
Presentation preparation

How to measure onboarding success

Time to independent work
Error or rework rate
Internal customer satisfaction
90-day retention

How Executive Assistant training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Executive Assistant Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Executive Assistant Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Executive Assistant Career
Final Knowledge Check

Get team pricing

Executive Assistant Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)