Administrative Assistant Job Description
An administrative assistant is a support professional. She performs all transactional duties in an effort to assist the office of her supervisor run smoothly. She is generally the first point of contact to individuals seeking out her manager.
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Job Responsibilities
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An administrative assistant performs all basic office tasks including drafting correspondences and manning the telephones. He receives messages and packages. He maintains his supervisor's calendar. He may provide some domestic support to his supervisor. He entertains clients in the absence of his supervisor.
Job Opportunities
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Administrative assistants are employed by companies of all sizes, schools, universities, hospitals and government agencies. Additionally, they are found in all industries and in both the for profit and nonprofit sectors. A candidate seeking this type of employment can apply directly to the company or organization for which she would like to work. These roles may also be advertised within the classified section of her local newspapers. These roles may also be posted on online job search boards such as Monster.com, Jobs.com and CareerBuilder.com. Professional organizations such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals provide resources and networking opportunities for candidates looking to enter the field. Candidates may also find that utilizing the services of employment agencies that focus specifically on the placement of administrative professionals is equally as effective.
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Qualitative Requirements
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To be a successful administrative assistant, a candidate must be incredibly detail-oriented, not letting anything fall through the cracks. He must be exceptional at oral and written communication, as he will answer all calls and draft all correspondences. He should have wonderful interpersonal skills, as he will serve as the gatekeeper and face of his supervisor. He must be skilled at multitasking.
Educational Requirements
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A successful candidate for an administrative assistant role must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Additionally, she must have some form of specialized training within basic office duties and functions. This may be obtained at a junior college or proprietary school, where the graduate will receive an associate's degree or a diploma. Many Fortune 500 companies require administrative assistants to possess a four-year degree in business administration or a related field of study.
Average Compensation
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According to Salary.com, in 2009 the average administrative assistant working in the United States of America earns an annual base salary of $35,606. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates the employment of administrative assistants to increase by 9 percent within the decade of 2006 through 2016.
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References
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