Administrative assistants are everywhere. They work in the hospitality, business, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and legal industries. They make the wheels of any office turn.
Are you interested in joining them? If so, you may be wondering how to become an administrative assistant.
No specific schooling is necessarily required to become an administrative assistant. You generally need good computer, organizational, and communication skills. At Stratford Career Institute, we offer an administrative assistant course. You can learn the foundational knowledge required to become a successful administrative assistant with us.
What Are the Duties of an Administrative Assistant?
Administrative assistants’ essential duties keep the business running smoothly.
Everyday responsibilities of an administrative assistant can include the following:
- Organize appointments,
- Schedule meetings,
- Answer phone calls,
- Take messages,
- Send emails,
- Keep track of files and documents,
- Book travel appointments,
- Interact with customers or clients, and
- Collaborate with personnel in other departments.
Experience in these duties will stand out to employers during the hiring process.
Steps for Becoming an Administrative Assistant
An administrative assistant is a job that you mostly learn by experience rather than education. But the specifics depend on the industry you work in.
If you want to know how to get a job as an administrative assistant, these steps can help.
Step 1: Education Needed to Become an Administrative Assistant
You may wonder, do you need a degree to be an administrative assistant? Generally, an administrative assistant requires only a high school diploma or GED.
However, some specific administrative positions require more schooling. For example, a legal assistant might need a paralegal certificate. A medical assistant may also need a healthcare diploma. If you have your heart set on one of these administrative assistant positions, look into the necessary certifications or degrees.
If no specific schooling is needed after your high school diploma or GED, skills will make you stand out to employers. At Stratford Career Institute, our course can help you learn the basic skills and office duties required to be an administrative assistant.
Step 2: Know How to Use a Computer
Much of an administrative assistant’s job involves using computers. Thus, you need to be comfortable with them.
More specifically, you should be comfortable with typing. Employers might have different requirements about your typing abilities. According to the American Society of Administrative Professionals, the average typing speed is 40 words per minute. However, the average typing speed for administrative assistants should be about 60 words per minute.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office is also essential. Any typing or data entry will most likely be done through Microsoft.
Also, knowledge of using office equipment like a primer, fax machine, or scanner is vital. Understandably, all office equipment works differently. Just because you can work with an HP printer does not mean you can work with a Canon printer. However, you should have some general familiarity with them.
Step 3: Sharpen Your Skills
Employers can’t always train you in basic administrative and people skills. They should, however, help you with industry-specific skills and teach you about their office rules.
But other than that, they’ll likely expect you to have the following skills:
- Good work ethic,
- Exceptional time management skills,
- Communication skills,
- Ability to multitask,
- Good organizational skills, and
- Excellent writing skills.
An administrative assistant’s daily tasks will require these abilities. Therefore, try to sharpen as many of them as possible. These skills can help you get a job as an administrative assistant—and keep it.
Step 4: Make a Resume
It’s time to dust off that resume. Highlight your education. If you don’t have many degrees, highlight your experience. Note your previous job’s duties and how they can help you with the job you are applying for. Be specific. Employers will appreciate a resume tailored to their particular job position.
Step 5: Apply for Administrative Assistant Jobs
Now, you can search for that dream job.
Look for positions that will interest you. For example, if healthcare interests you, apply to administrative assistant positions in doctor’s offices, hospitals, or pharmaceutical companies. If travel interests you, check out jobs in the hospitality industry.
Remember, don’t love what you do. Do what you love.
Explore a New Career with Stratford Career Institute
At Stratford Career Institute, we offer distance education programs in a variety of different fields that can provide the basic knowledge and skills to jumpstart your career.
Our administrative assistant course aims to help you learn the fundamentals on how to be a competent administrative assistant. Contact us to learn more or enroll today!
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