Wednesday 28 September 2011

Administrative Assistants Are A Vital Part Of Any Office

By Michelle Conner


Virtually all companies and organizations require administrative assistants to provide office support, which is why administrative work is a steadily growing field. On average, a job in this field will earn between 30 and 40 thousand annually, but the rewards vary greatly depending on the level of the position. If you are interested in perhaps becoming an administrative assistant, take the time to explore what resources are available, such as certificate programs, college degrees, and computer classes, to make you a more competitive candidate in your chosen field.

"Administrative Assistant" is an umbrella term that encompasses many office positions of various levels. The amount of education you have received, and your past work experience, are heavily dependent upon the nature of each position. Often, a high school diploma is enough for a candidate to get a foot in the door, and very experienced candidates can rely on work experience to make up for their lack of degree. Most opportunities, however, require at least certification from a vocational program or an associate's degree. Staying informed with the latest information about online classes will speed your success.

Receptionist positions are generally easy to come by. They are entry-level, and usually accept high school graduates. Successful receptionists must have excellent phone manners and a pleasant demeanor for greeting visitors. They can be said to serve as the face and voice of a company, since many clients will form their first impression of a company based on the quality of the receptionist.

Clerk positions are also fairly low-level positions, requiring filing and data-entry services to support an office. Clerking is often the first job an administrative assistant will have, in order to gain work experience and learn about office procedures. Clerk-typists will need to have a reasonably fast typing speed and basic computer skills.

Secretaries and executive assistants provide administrative support to executives within a company, and must be competent in writing personal letters, responding to client emails on behalf of their employers, and handling sensitive material. Usually a four-year degree is not required, but candidates should have excellent computer skills and typing abilities. Administrative assistant certificate programs can help with office-related skill building.

Project assistants provide clerical support to project teams, and may even perform research and other tasks related to the project itself. Project assistants may be required to have an associate's or bachelor's degree, depending on the duties of the position. Accounting assistants also provide in-depth support, and are required to have experience and education related to accounting, billing, and financing. Keeping the value of online classes for administrative assistant in mind, is a good idea when deciding on your path.

Part-time and temporary work is almost always available for qualified administrative assistants. During busy times, offices generally take on office temps from staffing agencies. Candidates seeking flexible work can apply directly to the staffing agency, which will test potential temps for computer skills, typing speed, and other office proficiencies. Temporary office work is an excellent choice for those wishing to build their resumes and learn transferable job skills.




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