If you like the thought of working with powerful CEOs, investment bankers or lawyers, then you may want to become an administrative assistant. As an administrative assistant, you will help an executive complete tasks such as emailing individuals, organizing paperwork and managing employees in the office. You may need to delegate work that has been given to you by an executive. The administrative assistant is crucial to the functioning of any business. An administrative assistant has the task of managing office work and those tasks that have been given to him or her by an executive. People who are organized and able to prioritize tasks will succeed in this career. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become an administrative assistant?” If you want to become an administrative assistant, then the best thing that you can do is to develop the skills that are necessary for this career path.
What’s it like to be an administrative assistant?
When you become an administrative assistant, you will be responsible for sending emails to other individuals who may have appointments with an executive for the day. Your tasks truly depend on the type of company that you work for. Before you are hired for an administrative assistant position, you should ask what responsibilities will be required for the position. This can help you get a feel for the stress level of the position. Some administrative assistants may only need to file paperwork and send e-mails, while other administrative assistants may need to work with clients who come into the office or give presentations on a regular basis. In a Fortune 500 company, the demands of an administrative assistance will be very different than a small business. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced atmosphere, then you should seek a position at a Fortune 500 company.
Education Requirements
To become an administrative assistant, there are no formal education requirements. You should simply prove that you have the skills that are necessary for this position. You should have a knowledge of the computer system that is used within the office place of a particular business. A business may use a system like Oracle for its daily operations, and you should have a full knowledge of how to navigate Oracle. You should also know how to use programs like Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word. You may want to take a typing course in order to become a fast typer. Some CEOs may require you to transcribe documents on a daily basis. If you work in a law firm, then you will need to have a very fast typing speed. You should also possess excellent written and verbal skills if you decide to become an administrative assistant. You will need to be able to communicate in a very efficient manner if you work for a high-powered executive who is on a tight schedule.
Salary & How to Get a Job
According to the BLS, the average salary of an administrative assistant is about $35,000 a year. The salary for an administrative assistant will vary depending on the industry. If you work for a law firm, then your salary may be $40,000 to $60,000 a year. If you work for a Fortune 500 company, then you salary will likely be significantly higher. To obtain a position in this field, you should simply look for job postings on the Internet and in newspapers. You can also network with business people in order to learn about potential administrative assistant openings at corporations. Lastly, one of the best ways to obtain a position is to simply receive a referral.
References:
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_15024_become-administrative-assistant.html
2. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm