Administrative assistants provide high-level service to top executives in an organization; they rank higher than typical secretaries. Educational requirements depend on the rank of the executive for whom they work, but associate 's degrees are typically preferred.
Administrative Assistant Overview
Ranking among the largest number of job openings in the United States, administrative assistants must have a strong knowledge of computer use and current office technologies. They are hired by companies such as hospitals, schools, corporate offices, legal offices and government agencies. Typically, administrative assistants are hired into companies to work full-time (40 hours a week).
Many of the skills needed in order to be qualified for an administrative assistant position vary depending on the hiring company; however, necessary skills for all administrative assistants include writing, communication and word processing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need is increasing for administrative assistants to have strong knowledge of modern computer software, project management and database maintenance. In many cases, it holds true that the higher ranked the individual hiring an administrative assistant, the higher the assistant 's education level must be.
Administrative Assistant Job Description
An administrative assistant must offer support for a workplace as well as the top executives of an organization. They have responsibilities such as coordination of administrative activities, retrieving, organizing and disseminating information to staff and clients, supervising their clerical coworkers and reviewing income memos.
The typical job duties of an administrative assistant include planning and scheduling meetings or appointments, organizing hard copy and electronic files, conducting research and managing projects. They may also be required to arrange guest and travel accommodations. The tools used by