What are the main duties of an administrative assistant?

A minimum of a high school diploma is generally required for this position, and some employers may prefer applicants who have an associate's degree or higher.

Administrative assistants use a variety of skills to successfully perform their day-to-day duties. Here are just some of the hard and soft skills employers look for in new administrative assistants:

• Basic computer literacy - Administrative assistants spend much of their time on computers, especially using word processing, database, spreadsheet software, and the internet. (e.g.,. Microsoft Office - Excel, Documents, Powerpoint).

• Organization - Administrative assistants must rely on organization and time management skills to keep schedules straight and multitask on various clerical duties.

• Written and oral communication - Administrative assistants need to speak to other staff members and visitors to the business, compose letters and emails, and create social media posts using correct grammar and spelling.

• People-skills - Administrative assistants are the point of contact for many staff members and visitors to the business, so an appealing personality is essential.

• Attention to detail - All tasks administrative assistants undertake must be completed to a high standard without errors. You'll also call on this skill when proofreading the drafts of reports and letters you're asked to type.

• Team player - Administrative assistants play a vital part in the operations of any organization, so they need to work well with other people in the business.

• Self-starter - Administrative assistants often need to use their own initiative to ensure they do not distract executive-level and management staff.

• Good numeracy skills - This is especially important for administrative assistants responsible for bookkeeping.

• Problem-solving abilities - Administrative assistants call on these skills if clients need to cancel meetings and appointments, need rearranging, or if supplies don't arrive on time, and other workplace emergencies arise.

• Flexibility - An administrative assistant's duties can vary significantly from day to day. They rely on their flexibility to adapt to the demands each day brings and excel in whatever task that's required.

• Strong work ethic - The work administrative assistants do is essential for their organizations' operations. It takes a strong work ethic to complete all tasks required in a timely fashion.