Becoming an Administrative Assistant

Answer 1

In the category of clerical jobs, reliable administrative assistants are in high demand. In fact, when a person becomes an administrative assistant he or she is joining a growing career field. Furthermore, administrative assistants are found in many different lines of work. The following contains information about the clerical job position of administrative assistant.

An administrative assistant has a wide range of duties depending on the type of office he or she works in. For instance, an administrative assistant who works for a medical office may sign patients in, take their information, and organize patient's files. Alternatively, an administrative assistant who works in a public school may deliver mail to teachers' school mailboxes, type documents for the principal, answer the telephone, and make copies for staff members. In general, an administrative assistant helps an office or business to stay organized and run in the most efficient way possible. Some administrative assistants are skilled in a particular type of work. For example, some are legal secretaries, medical secretaries, or secretaries in a veterinarian's office.

An administrative assistant should have at least a high school diploma. Fast and accurate typing skills are also a plus. Experience with office equipment including computer programs, fax machines, copiers, and several telephone lines is necessary for a person to experience success in the work of an administrative assistant. Not surprisingly, many administrative assistants learn important details while they are on the job. A person who'd like to specialize in the legal, medical, or another field will need additional education to learn the particular skills needed for the position.

Finally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary of an administrative assistant (without a specialty) was $29,050 in May 2008. Naturally, this number varies from employer to employer. For example, an administrative assistant with special skills such as shorthand or who is bilingual would have more to offer an employer and could ask for a higher salary than the average candidate. Fortunately, many executives are looking for reliable, capable administrative assistants to help them fulfill their duties and are willing to pay a higher salary for a well-qualified candidate.