At a glance
Pay shows the low (10th percentile) to high (90th percentile) Canada-wide wages for Executive assistants, from Job Bank (2023–2024), as yearly amounts for full-time work. Pay varies by province, city and experience. See wages in your area on Job Bank
What you'll do
- Manage the executive's calendar, inbox and priorities
- Book and organize travel and itineraries
- Prepare briefing notes, presentations and meeting materials
- Coordinate board and leadership meetings, including minutes
- Act as a professional point of contact for staff, clients and partners
How to get there
- Build several years of experience as an administrative assistant.
- Support managers or directors to learn how leaders work.
- Strengthen writing, discretion and advanced Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace skills.
Your bilingual advantage
Speaking two languages makes you stand out in Executive Assistant jobs. Here's where it helps most and how to prove it.
Where bilingual skills are in demand
- Quebec, where French is the language of work and English or other languages often help with clients outside the province
- New Brunswick, Canada's only officially bilingual province
- Ottawa–Gatineau and the federal public service, where many positions are designated bilingual
- National companies serving customers across Canada, and employers serving newcomer communities in other languages
Prove your level
Employers trust a recognized result more than "fluent". For French, common tests include the DELF and DALF diplomas and the TEF and TCF tests. Federal public service jobs use their own Second Language Evaluation (levels A, B and C). Describe your level for speaking, reading and writing separately.
Expect part of the interview in each language
Bilingual employers often switch languages during the interview or give a short written task. Practise answering the questions on this page in both languages.
What employers look for
Usually required
- 4+ years supporting senior leaders
- Excellent judgment and discretion with confidential matters
- Advanced skills in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
- Strong writing and editing skills
- Calm, proactive approach to changing priorities
Gives you an edge
- Experience coordinating board meetings
- French, for a bilingual leadership team or clients
How to stand out
Describe who you supported (CEO, VP, board) and the scope of your work.
Give examples of problems you solved before they reached your executive.
Bilingual English and French EAs are in high demand.
See a full Bilingual Executive Assistant résumé example, or get our Bilingual Resume Template.
Interview questions to prepare for
Employers hiring for this job often ask questions like these. Prepare a short, specific example for each.
- Walk me through how you manage a packed calendar with conflicting requests.
- Tell me about a time you anticipated a problem before your executive did.
- How do you decide what to handle yourself and what to bring to the executive?
- Describe the most complex trip or event you've organized.
- How do you handle a request from a senior person that conflicts with your executive's priorities?
Where it can lead
Your rights and tips as a job seeker in Canada
Know the pay before you apply
In British Columbia and Prince Edward Island, public job postings must include the pay or pay range. In Ontario, so must postings from employers with 25 or more employees made since January 1, 2026. Use the pay on this page to judge whether an offer is fair.
New to Canada?
In Ontario, employers with 25 or more employees can't ask for Canadian experience in a job posting or application form. For regulated jobs, such as engineering, teaching or a skilled trade, contact the provincial regulator early to have your credentials assessed.
You're protected from discrimination
Human rights laws mean employers can't make hiring decisions based on your age, sex, gender identity, race, religion, disability, or family or marital status. You can ask for accommodation during the hiring process, for example for an interview.
Hear back after interviews
In Ontario, employers with 25 or more employees must tell you within 45 days of your last interview whether a hiring decision has been made for a publicly advertised job.
Never pay to get a job
Real employers don't charge you to apply, to be trained or to be hired, and they don't ask for banking details before an offer. Only share your Social Insurance Number (SIN) after you're hired. Stay safe from job scams
Starting out young?
Each province sets its own minimum working age and limits on hours for young workers. See the rules by province
General information, checked on October 3, 2026. It isn't legal advice; rules depend on your province or territory.
Find your next Executive Assistant job
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