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Developing Administrative Skills: A Career As An Administrative Assistant

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Developing Administrative Skills Administrative assistants must be able to handle challenging situations and many details at once. The assistants are what keeps an office running while supporting the efforts of a business owner executive, manager, or professional group. Their main responsibility is to keep their place of employment running smoothly, thus all of their duties relate back to the operational proceedings of an office. These duties may include scheduling meetings, answering phones, managing databases, disseminating information (through email and internal memos), creating spreadsheets, generating reports, ordering equipment, and working with clients or customers. People who demonstrate these skills in this field can advance to higher …show more content…

For example, he might explain procedures for routing mail and requesting supplies in the office. He also delegates tasks to efficiently manage administrative operations, giving appropriate clerical tasks and instructions to filing clerks, typists or receptionists in the same office. Organizational Ability As a multitasker, an administrative assistant keeps himself organized so he can give his attention to keeping his boss organized. He knows how to manage a filing system, track incoming and outgoing correspondence and coordinate the flow of paperwork around the office. Written Expression An administrative assistant needs skills in standard written English and, in some organizations, business English. He can access a course in business communication or writing through a community college, vocational-technical school or e-learning provider. Good writing skills will improve the quality of his correspondence, emails and memos and enable him to assist his boss with proofreading important documents. Time …show more content…

It is relatively easy for us to visualize the technical skill of the surgeon, the musician, the accountant, or the engineer when each is performing his own special function. Technical skill involves specialized knowledge, analytical ability within that specialty, and facility in the use of the tools and techniques of the specific discipline. An office environment has many kinds of equipment and property that an assistant uses or manages. He orders office supplies and repairs to equipment to keep the office well-equipped and stocked for the staff. Management Some administrative assistants need management skills because they direct the actions of others and recommend corrections for better performance. An example is a busy executive's office in which an assistant manages all clerical personnel and handles requests from other staff members, such as time-off requests. He can develop management skills through courses offered by employers, professional associations, local colleges or e-learning providers. Problem-Solving

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