“ I feel my main weakness is that I sometimes take on too much work, simply because I don't want to say no. By taking on too much work, it can potentially have a detrimental impact on my other tasks, so I am learning to complete tasks thoroughly first, before agreeing to take on additional tasks.
“I see being an administrative assistant as a crucial piece of the functioning of an entire office, and it is my job to make that happen. I am tremendously organized, enjoy making things flow more smoothly and have 10 years of experience doing this. I stay in this career because I love doing it.â€
A highly regarded strength of an administrative assistant is organization. Organizational skills also include your ability to effectively manage your time and prioritize your tasks.
The purpose of this article has been to show that effective administration depends on three basic personal skills, which have been called technical, human, and conceptual.
Technology SkillsAdministrative assistants work with office software programs, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing and graphic presentation software. For example, proficient is generally expected in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher.
How Much Does an Administrative Assistant Make? Administrative Assistants made a median salary of $37,690 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $47,510 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $30,100.
To be a good administrator, you must be deadline-driven and possess a high level of organization. Good administrators can balance multiple tasks simultaneously and delegate when appropriate. Planning and the ability to think strategically are useful skills that elevate administrators in their career.
BE A GREAT COMMUNICATOR
- ORGANIZATION IS KEY. Administrative Assistants are juggling a lot of tasks at any given time: their own projects, the needs of executives, files, events, etc.
- PaPAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS.
- EXCEL AT TIME MENAGEMENT.
- ANTICIPATE SOLUTIONS BEFORE THERE IS A PROBLEM.
- DEMONSTRATE RESOURCEFULNESS.
The top three skills of an executive assistant are adaptability, people skills, and organization.
Draw attention to your administrative skills by putting them in a separate skills section on your resume. Incorporate your skills throughout your resume, in both the work experience section and resume profile, by providing examples of them in action. Mention both soft skills and hard skills so you look well-rounded.
Administrative skills are qualities that help you complete tasks related to managing a business. This might involve responsibilities such as filing paperwork, meeting with internal and external stakeholders, presenting important information, developing processes, answering employee questions and more.
Administrative assistant requirements:
- Proven admin or assistant experience.
- Knowledge of office management systems and procedures.
- Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work.
- Attention to detail and problem solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Coordinating events, such as planning office parties or client dinners. Scheduling appointments for clients. Scheduling appointments for supervisors and/or employers. Planning team or company-wide meetings. Planning company-wide events, such as luncheons or out-of-office team-building activities.
An Office Administrator, or Office Manager, completes clerical and administrative tasks for an office. Their main duties include welcoming and directing visitors, coordinating meetings and appointments and performing clerical tasks, like answering phones and responding to emails.
An Administrator provides office support to either an individual or team and is vital for the smooth-running of a business. Their duties may include fielding telephone calls, receiving and directing visitors, word processing, creating spreadsheets and presentations, and filing.
Someone who has administrative experience either holds or has held a position with significant secretarial or clerical duties. Administrative experience comes in a variety of forms but broadly relates to skills in communication, organization, research, scheduling and office support.
Boost Your Administrative Skills With These 6 Steps
- Pursue training and development. Investigate your company's internal training offerings, if it has any.
- Join industry associations.
- Choose a mentor.
- Take on new challenges.
- Help a nonprofit.
- Participate in diverse projects.
Here are some suggestions on how to do this:
- Take a part-time job. Even if the job is not in the area that you see yourself, any form of work experience on your CV will be reassuring to a future employer.
- List all your skills – even the softer ones.
- Network in your chosen sector.
Below, we highlight the eight administrative assistant skills you need to become a top candidate.
- Adept in Technology.
- Verbal & Written Communication.
- Organization.
- Time Management.
- Strategic Planning.
- Resourcefulness.
- Detail-Oriented.
- Anticipates Needs.
Administrative Manager Qualifications/Skills:
- Project management.
- Written and verbal communication skills.
- Supervisor.
- Scheduling and planning.
- Leadership.
- Organizational skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Administrative writing and reporting skills.
An effective administrator is an asset to an organization. He or she is the link between an organization's various departments and ensures the smooth flow of information from one part to the other. Thus without an effective administration, an organization would not run professionally and smoothly.
Working as an administrative assistant is an excellent choice for people who'd prefer to enter the workforce rather than continue study after high school. The broad range of responsibilities and industry sectors employing administrative assistants ensure that this position can be an interesting and challenging one.
Secretaries and administrative assistants perform a variety of administrative and clerical duties. They might answer phones and support customers, organize files, prepare documents, and schedule appointments. Some companies use the terms "secretaries" and "administrative assistants" interchangeably.
Responsibilities
- Answer and direct phone calls.
- Organize and schedule appointments.
- Plan meetings and take detailed minutes.
- Write and distribute email, correspondence memos, letters, faxes and forms.
- Assist in the preparation of regularly scheduled reports.
- Develop and maintain a filing system.
Examples of Responsibilities You'll See in Administrative Assistant Job Ads
- Doing administrative and clerical tasks (such as scanning or printing)
- Preparing and editing letters, reports, memos, and emails.
- Running errands to the post office or supply store.
- Arranging meetings, appointments, and executive travel.
