Is Athena Executive Assistant Right for You? An Honest 2024 Review

In recent years, many businesses have started using virtual assistants to improve their operations and save time. One company leading this trend is Athena, which provides highly skilled executive assistants (EAs) to professionals and entrepreneurs. An Athena executive assistant becomes a trusted partner, handling tasks like scheduling, emails, and more to free up your time. 

Pearl Talent is another top service that offers the best executive assistants. Our executive assistants are highly skilled in managing calendars, handling emails, conducting research, and organizing projects. What sets Pearl Talent apart is our ability to match clients with the right talent, both onshore and offshore, to create a seamless and efficient workflow. With a focus on quality and cost-effectiveness, Pearl Talent ensures your business runs while saving you time and resources.

Using our industry knowledge about virtual assistant services, we will tackle what an Athena executive assistant is. We will also share the benefits and considerations of hiring and explore some Athena alternative companies. In the end, you'll clearly understand whether an Athena virtual assistant is the right fit for your company.

Let’s dive in!

What is an Athena Executive Assistant?

Athena is a service that connects professionals with highly skilled virtual assistants from the Philippines. Athena’s mission since 2018 has been to build lasting partnerships between clients and their assistants. One of their key offerings is the Athena executive assistant, a dedicated assistant seamlessly integrated into your business operations. 

Unlike traditional assistants, an Athena virtual assistant helps you achieve professional and personal goals. They are trained in transformative delegation practices, allowing clients to optimize their time and efficiency. With resources like Athena’s Extensive Playbook Library, clients gain tools to streamline tasks and improve productivity.

Use Cases for an Athena Virtual Assistant

Athena is not just another task manager or generic virtual assistant provide­r. This platform specializes in the art of delegation. When you work with an Athena executive assistant, you are not only getting someone to handle your schedule or basic tasks. Let's dive into what a virtual assistant can do for you.

• Calendar Management: One of the foundational projects Athena executive assistants are trained on is calendar management. This goes beyond mere scheduling; it's about optimizing your time to help you reach your highest potential.
• Inbox Management: Your Athena personal assistant can streamline your email communication, ensuring you only deal with what's most important, thus freeing up your time and focus for higher-value tasks.
• Travel Arrangements: Travel management is another primary focus during the onboarding phase. Whether booking flights or organizing itineraries, an Athena virtual assistant can make your travel hassle-free.
• Event Planning: From business meetings to personal events, your Athena virtual assistant can orchestrate every detail to ensure successful and well-organized events.
• Recruitment Support: Finding the right talent is crucial. Your Athena executive assistant can help you in recruitment efforts, from sorting resumes to initial communications with potential candidates.
• Health and Wellness Management: Whether booking doctor appointments or helping manage a wellness plan, your Athena personal assistant is dedicated to ensuring you stay on track with your health goals.
• Online Presence and Branding: Maintaining a solid online presence is essential in today's digital age. Your Athena executive assistant can help you manage social media and other online activities to enhance your brand.

Pricing Plan

For a monthly fee­ of $3,000, employers gain access to a dedicated Athena personal assistant who works beyond the standard 40-hour workweek. This rate cove­rs the assistant's salary and includes continuous training and educational programs. On the other hand, an Athena virtual assistant receives comprehensive compe­nsation from the company. 

They offered their Athena executive assistants bene­fits such as health insurance, pet insurance­, and mental health support. Moreover, EAs enjoy annual raises to account for the cost of living and access to continuous upskilling programs. Additionally, they are entitled to 12 days of paid time off each year for personal events and holidays.

Athena Personal Assistant Hiring Process

Athena’s hiring process is designed to select the best candidates for supporting clients. Here's a clear breakdown of each step involved in hiring an Athena executive assistant:

Step 1: English Proficiency Test

The first step is an English proficiency test, which ensures the candidate can communicate clearly in English. Applicants need to score at least a C2 level on the CEFR scale, which shows advanced language skills. This step is essential to ensure smooth communication with clients, particularly those in the U.S.

Step 2: Personality Assessment

After passing the English test, candidates take a personality test to evaluate their fit with Athena’s culture. The test helps determine professionalism, adaptability, and how well candidates handle pressure. Athena uses this assessment to ensure candidates can work effectively with clients and stay positive in challenging situations.

Step 3: Skill Evaluation

In this step, candidates are asked to complete various practical tasks. They might be asked to draft emails, organize calendars, or perform research, which are typical responsibilities of an Athena executive assistant. This evaluation helps Athena see if the candidates have the skills to perform essential tasks quickly and efficiently.

Step 4: Real-Life Projects

Candidates who pass the skill evaluation move on to completing real-life projects. These tasks mimic the actual work an Athena executive assistant will handle, testing their ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and stay organized. The goal is to see how well they perform under pressure and in fast-paced situations, as these are common in the role.

Step 5: Live Screening

The final step involves a live screening, where candidates are interviewed and evaluated in real time. Athena representatives assess their leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and how quickly they can think on their feet. This stage helps Athena determine if the candidate can handle executive assistant work's dynamic and often unpredictable nature.

Benefits & Considerations of Hiring an Athena Assistant

Athena has established itself as a unique provider of virtual assistants based in the Philippines, serving entrepreneurs, professionals, and executives. Below, we outline the standout benefits of hiring an Athena executive assistant:

• Highly Skilled Assistants: Athena recruits only the top 1% of applicants, ensuring clients receive support from highly skilled professionals. Athena personal assistants are well-prepared for tasks like calendar management and inbox organization.
• Personalized Long-Term Partnerships: Athena focuses on building deep, lasting client-EA relationships, creating a seamless integration into clients’ lives. Such connections foster consistent and personalized support tailored to each client’s needs.
• Ongoing Training and Development: Athena prioritizes continuous education, including mentorship and skill-building. Over time, Athena executive assistants enhance their skills, enabling them to provide even better client support.
• Strong Data Security Measures: Athena's assistants are secure with devices and confidentiality agreements, ensuring high data protection. Clients can trust that their sensitive information remains private and secure.
• Effective Delegation Support: Resources like Athena’s Playbook Library assist clients in mastering delegation skills. Clients gain confidence in assigning tasks, allowing them to focus more effectively on top priorities.
• Enhanced Productivity and Time Management: Delegating routine tasks to an Athena assistant allows clients to focus on high-value activities. This strategic delegation often results in increased productivity and a competitive edge.

While Athena provides many valuable benefits, there are essential considerations to remember. Here are some areas to consider:

• Training Gaps: Former Athena virtual assistants report that training often emphasizes evaluation over skill development, which can be challenging for beginners. The training model appears better suited for those with previous experience.
• Workload and Time Management: Many Athena executive assistants experience high workloads and extended hours, sometimes requiring overtime to meet client needs. Burnout and work-life balance challenges can arise under these conditions.
• Limited Job Security: Many Athena personal assistants need more traditional employment protections as independent contractors. Job stability may feel uncertain, which can affect long-term commitment.
• Restricted Access to Tools: Some Athena assistant talents sometimes report limited access to necessary tools, impacting efficiency. Often, an Athena EA must find creative solutions to work around these limitations.
• Compensation Concerns: While Athena provides benefits, some executive assistants feel the pay is low for the role’s demands. The gap in compensation expectations may affect employee satisfaction and retention.
• High Turnover Rates: According to employee reviews, recent layoffs and competitive salary pressures have contributed to higher turnover rates. Due to these changes, clients may experience inconsistency in support.

Athena’s services are crafted to enhance productivity through skilled Athena virtual assistants. However, these considerations are worth considering for a balanced view of the experience.

Alternatives to Hiring Assistants from Athena

Finding the right executive assistant can be the key to success. While Athena is a well-known hub for finding virtual and executive assistants, alternative options offer unique advantages. Let's explore three noteworthy alternatives: 

1. Pearl Talent - Best Alternatives to Athena

Pearl Talent excels in sourcing top-tier global talent and placing them within the U.S. and E.U. companies. Their unique approach combines domestic and international professionals, ensuring quality while managing costs. Pearl is ideal for businesses seeking a seamless integration of onshore and offshore teams. It offers a one-time placement fee, making it a competitive alternative to Athena’s subscription pricing. 

To help you better understand the differences between Athena and Pearl, here’s a side-by-side comparison of their services, cost structures, and specializations:

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Athena provides a highly structured and dedicated Athena executive assistant service focusing on long-term partnerships and deep integration into client workflows. On the other hand, Pearl is a comprehensive talent partner with one-time placement costs and a blend of domestic and international talent options. 

Pearl is well-suited for businesses seeking broader workforce solutions. Each has unique advantages, allowing businesses to select the best fit for their needs and goals.

2. Near - Offers 70% Hiring Cost Savings

Near offers a comprehensive service that includes sourcing, hiring, onboarding, payroll management, and retention. Their white-glove service and dedicated account managers make the process straightforward, with placements tailored for each role in under three weeks. Near’s services are ideal for companies looking for high-quality staffing with a streamlined, end-to-end approach.

Pros

• High placement rate and fast turnaround for filling roles.
• Cost-effective with up to 70% savings on hiring costs.
• Access to a vast pool of pre-vetted, English-speaking professionals with global compliance support.

Cons

• Service may be better suited for companies with larger hiring needs.
• Broader staffing expertise is needed instead of focusing solely on executive assistant support.

3. Oceans - Provides 80% EA Cost Savings

Oceans specialize in Executive Assistant+ services, providing advanced administrative and operational support tailored to executives’ needs. Oceans EAs offer high-level support such as market research, SOP development, and project management, allowing executives to focus on high-impact tasks. 

Pros

• Executive Assistant+ services deliver enhanced value beyond traditional EA tasks.
• U.S.-aligned time zones improve collaboration for North American clients.
• Cost-effective with 80% savings compared to U.S. EA rates.

Cons

• Primarily focused on EA+ services, it may offer something other than broader talent solutions.
• Uses auto-renewal contracts, which may not suit all clients.

Key Takeaway

In 2024, Athena executive assistant will remain a top choice for businesses seeking dedicated virtual support. With their rigorous hiring process and extensive training, Athena ensures that each assistant is highly skilled in calendar management, email handling, and other tasks. However, it’s essential to consider potential challenges, such as the pressure of tight deadlines and long working hours for some assistants. 

While Athena's services are praised for increasing efficiency, the company’s pricing structure may not suit all budgets. Their focus on long-term client-assistant relationships ensures stability but requires a commitment. Athena executive assistants can be a game-changer for businesses looking to streamline operations. Still, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if they're the right fit for your needs.

Amazed by the benefits of hiring an Athena executive assistant but want to experience the personalized approach that Pearl Talent can offer? Our executive assistants are ready to help you streamline your operations and boost productivity. Fill out our hire form today, and let us match you with the perfect assistant to meet your business needs. With Pearl Talent, you'll gain a trusted partner dedicated to helping your business succeed.

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