Administrative assistant careers support industries such as finance, HR, and insurance. Formal training is often necessary due to the complexity and professionalism required. There are various levels of administrative assistants, from support assistants to executive administrative assistants. Career counselors and recruiters can assist in finding administrative assistant jobs and advancing in the field.
Administrative assistant careers affect industries such as financial management, human resources, office management, and insurance. The administrative assistant is considered support staff for executives and other members of the management team. Within administrative assistant careers, there are many options in terms of challenge and achievement, depending on background and training.
Administrative assistant training is available through technical schools, large colleges and, for some, on-the-job training. The complexity, detail, and professionalism needed by those interested in administrative assistant careers often make formal training necessary. The executive administrative assistant supports an organization’s executive team and may be responsible for arranging travel, developing and presenting complex reports, organizing meetings and calendars. In this role, the assistant may oversee other administrative staff.
A generalist can fill many levels offered to the administrative assistant, due to their experience and knowledge of various industries and corporate cultures. For example, administrative management in an office environment often requires an experienced, high-level administrative assistant. The high-level assistant might have a title like Key Administrator or Office Manager, but be coded into the organization’s human resources system as an administrative assistant, with one level. These tiers are usually numbers tied to pay scale and role, such as managers, and are the most desirable positions when considering administrative assistant careers.
Support assistants are usually starting their administrative assistant career or have been working in their field of expertise for just a few years. Responsibilities in this role may include generating reports, creating tables and graphs, and data entry. They can also transcribe and write letters, as well as handle other mail duties.
Receptionists are considered administrative assistants and generally fall under the category of support assistants. Typically, a receptionist might be responsible for answering multi-line phone systems, taking messages, and greeting guests in an organization. There may also be some light typing, filing and other duties as assigned by a supervisor.
Career counselors and administrative recruiters can be a valuable resource when looking for administrative assistant jobs. These resources can provide opportunities for available positions as well as offer suggestions for additional training. They can also help determine which skill sets need to be improved when looking for an administrative assistant job.
Administrative assistant careers can include recruiting or counseling positions as a professional advances in the field. Through on-the-job training and other forms of outside education, such as seminars or classes at a local college, the administrative assistant can propel into higher positions with more responsibility. A friendly demeanor and good people skills can help an administrative assistant meet her desired career goals.
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