Abstract

O*NET reports that Microsoft Office appeared in 45 percent of U.S. postings linked to executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants during 2025. Excel appeared in 38 percent, PowerPoint in 36 percent, and Outlook in 31 percent. [1] These are posting mention rates, not measures of proficiency or proof that unmentioned tools are unnecessary.

Methodology

This review treats the O*NET In Demand table as the primary quantitative source. O*NET identifies Lightcast postings from January 1 through December 31, 2025 as the underlying period and defines each percentage as the share of unique linked postings mentioning a skill. [1] The Hot Technologies table, occupational profile, update history, BLS role definition, and O*NET program documentation are used to test scope and interpretation. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

What employers named most often

The leading mentions were Microsoft Office at 45 percent, Excel at 38 percent, PowerPoint at 36 percent, and Outlook at 31 percent. Google Workspace followed at 11 percent. Word appeared at 8 percent, while Zoom and SAP Concur each appeared at 6 percent and SharePoint at 5 percent. [1] A posting may name several tools, so the percentages must not be added into a market share.

The longer Hot Technologies table also lists Slack and QuickBooks at 3 percent, with Access at 2 percent. Several other products appeared at 1 percent or less. [2] Low mention is not the same as low workplace use because employers often assume familiarity with common software or describe a capability without naming a product.

How the software fits the occupation

O*NET rates working with computers, organizing work, scheduling activities, communicating, and processing information as prominent work activities. [3] Its broader software taxonomy spans office suites, spreadsheets, presentations, document management, conferencing, expense systems, customer records, and project tools. [4] The data supports testing workflows, not screening candidates on brand recognition alone.

The BLS description includes research, statistical reports, correspondence, conference calls, and scheduling. [6][7] Those duties explain why spreadsheet, presentation, email, and office-suite skills recur, but they do not show the proficiency level needed for a particular executive office.

A defensible hiring interpretation

Start with the actual work product. A role that reconciles expenses may need a Concur exercise, while a role that prepares board materials may need a presentation and document-control exercise. Use consistent scoring and provide the same instructions to candidates. The interview question guide can help separate evidence from unsupported impressions.

O*NET records that its software-skill inputs were updated from multiple sources in 2025. [5] Its ongoing collection program also distinguishes analyst, incumbent, and employer-posting inputs. [8][9] Hiring teams should record the dataset year and avoid presenting the table as a live census of every vacancy.

Training priorities from the evidence

The safest priority is transferable output quality: accurate spreadsheets, clear presentations, controlled documents, reliable scheduling, and secure collaboration. Product training can then follow the local tool stack. This approach respects the occupational breadth in O*NET and the BLS survey frame. [3][10]

For onboarding, map each named platform to a real duty, owner, access level, and expected output. The onboarding guide provides a place to stage access and practice. A tool should not be granted merely because it appears in a posting benchmark.

Limits of posting data

The source does not publish a proficiency score, hiring outcome, employer size split, or causal link between a named product and performance. Postings may duplicate an employer need across time even when the underlying feed deduplicates individual records. The table also cannot show software learned after hire.

The strongest supported conclusion is narrow: office-suite, spreadsheet, presentation, and email products were the most frequently named software in the linked 2025 postings. [1] A local job analysis remains necessary before setting requirements.

Key findings

  • Microsoft Office led the table at 45 percent of linked postings. [1]
  • Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook each appeared in at least 31 percent of linked postings. [1]
  • Posting mentions do not measure proficiency or tool importance after hire.
  • Hiring tests should mirror actual work products and apply consistent scoring.
  • Product access and training should follow documented duties.

Sources

  1. In Demand Software Skills for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, O*NET OnLine
  2. Hot Technologies for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, O*NET OnLine
  3. Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, Occupation Details, O*NET OnLine
  4. Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, Occupation Summary, O*NET OnLine
  5. Occupation Data Updates for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, O*NET OnLine
  6. Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  7. Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  8. About O*NET, O*NET Resource Center
  9. O*NET Data Collection Program, O*NET Resource Center
  10. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Data Overview, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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