Exploring Career Paths for Chiefs of Staff

Exploring career paths for chiefs of staff can be daunting but it doesn't have to be! Learn what qualifications employers look for when hiring a chief of staff and how earning PACE certification can help demonstrate your knowledge and commitment.

Exploring Career Paths for Chiefs of Staff

As a chief of staff (CO), you'll have the opportunity to experience the professional life of a busy executive and the day-to-day operations and initiatives that they oversee. With the variety of responsibilities and versatility you have, it can be difficult to define the right position after completing your CoS term. However, you can use your long list of responsibilities, skills, experience and accomplishments to position yourself for various subsequent positions. To become a chief of staff, you need excellent interpersonal skills and several years of executive-level experience in corporate environments.

The position of chief of staff is relatively new in the private sector and qualifications for the position vary from company to company. Many companies prefer job seekers with a master's degree in business administration (MBA) or a related field. Working well as part of a team is essential for success in this role, as you'll need to collaborate with other executives from all departments to implement the CEO's vision. Developing an executive mindset is one of the most challenging obstacles to growth, but the position of chief of staff is the best shortcut.

After completing your CoS term, you could move up to positions such as vice president or chief operating officer (COO), depending on your level of experience. Earning PACE certification can also help demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to employers looking for their next chief of staff or senior executive assistant. The possibility of staying in the same company may be accompanied by a series of conditions and a stamp on the forehead that reads: “eternal chief of staff”. However, don't forget that every employer is different so make sure you research each opportunity thoroughly before applying.

The role of chief of staff could be the same role that ultimately equalizes gender disparity in meeting rooms. In addition to the opportunities mentioned earlier in this series, the role of chief of staff confers several other sources of professional value. Now that we've prepared you to consider the blurred lines between linguistic nuances and subjective interpretation, it's time to fill the functions of chief of staff with alternative titles with the same functionality and authority, but different names. In the previous article, I talked about strategies to mitigate the common difficulties faced by chiefs of staff.

As chief of staff, you will work with the CEO and report directly to him or her, conveying messages and ideas from other senior executive leaders to improve the company's internal functions and processes. The role of chief of staff (COS) differs from that of chief operating officer (COO) in that the COS depends directly and primarily on the CEO, not on the board of directors, other executives, or key stakeholders. Exploring career paths for chiefs of staff can be daunting but it doesn't have to be! With an MBA or related degree and several years' experience in corporate environments under your belt, you can start your journey as a CO with confidence. Remember that every employer is different and each one will have unique qualifications when they hire you for a chief of staff position.

The good news is that you have options! With an MBA or related degree and several years' experience in corporate environments under your belt, you can start your journey as a CO with confidence. Earning PACE certification allows you to demonstrate your deep knowledge, experience and commitment - everything employers want in their chief of staff or senior executive assistant.