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Is this what you picture when thinking about working in an office?
Being an administrative assistant is the opposite of boring: it is all about multitasking!
How do you know if being an administrative assistant is a good fit for you?
How Do Administrative Assistants Contribute ?
Photo by CDC on UnsplashAdministrative assistants play an important role in companies!
They have a variety of duties related to organization and communication to keep the company running smoothly.
They provide administrative support to help managers and employees work more efficiently. They write, prepare, organize and distribute information/documents.
The Actual Job
Each administrative assistant job is different, but on any given day you might:
Welcome clients
Answer phone calls and emails
Schedule meetings
Maintain and update paper and computer filing systems
Edit and deal with invoices
Write reports
Create presentations
Organize information into charts
Book taxis, hotels, flights, and conference calls
Quiz
Which of these duties might an administrative assistant do?
Multitasking is part of an administrative assistant's everyday life! In fact, they support the office operation in many ways beyond these options.
What Might A Typical Day Look Like ?
9am: Check emails and deal with overnight emergencies and unexpected requests
9:30am: Check manager's planning and see if everything is ready for their 10am appointment
10:30am: Prepare and send an invoice to a client
12pm: Lunch time!
1pm: Send the agenda for tomorrow's staff meeting
2:30pm: Keep updating the computer filing system
3:30pm: Sort and scan the documents received this week
Quiz
You have to be organized to be an administrative assistant. Which of these skills is also very important?
Problem solving is a key skill as they might have to find solutions when managers are not available. Remember: an administrative assistant helps the company run smoothly!
Where Can You Get Work As An Administrative Assistant?
You can find an administrative assistant in any company, non-profit, school or university: every office needs an admin!
Your specific duties will depend on the work environment. Here are just a few people you may need to assist:
Doctors and patients at a medical clinic
Principals, teachers, and students at an elementary school
CEOs, managers, and clients at a corporate office
Did you know?
You'll Love It if...
You like being helpful.
You like having things done.
You are dynamic but patient at the same time.
You have strong communication skills.
Look For Another Career Path If...
You faint every time you talk about a schedule.
Excel tabs and charts make you cry.
You do not pay attention to details.
You like your routine and you consider 'multitasking' a swear word.
You do not like working behind the scenes.
Take Action
Do you know anyone who is an administrative assistant?
Ask them to give you a few moments of their time!
Find out:
This Byte has been authored by
Estelle BARTHELEMY
Instructional designer