Administrative Assistant Job Description
While many an Administrative Assistant job description may include the general, entry-level tasks of answering incoming calls, general typing, filing and customer greetings functions that a receptionist or information clerk handles, an Administrative Assistant performs other, higher-skill functions.
Instead of answering incoming switchboard calls to a business, an Administrative Assistant job description often limits responsibility to answering incoming calls from the reception desk and for the direct supervisor instead of entire departments or the whole business.
An Administrative Assistant job description often includes scheduling appointments, making travel arrangements and possible travel with the supervisor, creating correspondence and contacting client or customers on the supervisor’s behalf.
Additional responsibilities might include organizing and maintaining hard-copy and electronic filing systems, supervising or completing staff projects and even transcribing dictation, to name only a few specific but common entries.
Virtually every Administrative Assistant job description—or any other occupation, for that matter—includes the phrase, ‘Other duties as assigned.’ This catch-all inclusion allows for temporary tasks or mundane tasks on a regular basis that ease functionality. Some supervisors extend this phrase to include such things as running errands for the supervisor or picking up dry cleaning. Whether you opt to perform these duties ‘…as assigned’ is a personal decision. Many assistants comply if the request does not break employment laws; others decline, due to the non-business nature of the requests.
Education
While basic receptionist positions may ask for only a GED or high school diploma, Administrative Assistants often hold at least Associate’s degrees from accredited offline or online colleges. Executive Administrative Assistants often hold four-year degrees from top online universities in Business Administration or Business Management, for example.
As with most occupations, the more education related to the business or position that you have, the more valuable you are and the greater responsibilities that may be awarded.
Thankfully, vocational training or online degrees from excellent online schools are yours to easily earn.
Job Outlook
Because an Administrative Assistant can work in large corporations, hospitals, medical practices, factories, legal practices, temporary work agencies, private firms or public organizations, the employment field is broad and deep. The job outlook for this job description is terrific: The demand for qualified, competent administrative assistants is expected to increase by at least 12 percent over the next few years—counter to many jobs that are being eliminated.
Smaller businesses may pay Administrative Assistants just above minimum wage, but highly qualified applicants can enjoy starting wages as high as $15 per hour or higher, depending on the type of office and geographical location.
Executive Administrative Assistants who have years of experience and dedication can earn twice that with the right employer.
As you consider a long career as an ‘Admin Assistant’ or as merely a stepping stone to more responsibility, be honest with yourself regarding your motives and intentions; be honest with the prospective employer as well, so you can both make a respectful and fully informed decision regarding fulfillment of an Administrative Assistant job description.
