Whether you’re just starting or have years of experience, administrative assistants are in demand across many industries. Learn what skills employers look for in administrative assistants and how you can highlight these in your resume.
Administrative assistants are often the point of contact between high-level executives and the people their company serves, so they should have strong interpersonal skills. They also need to be able to solve problems quickly and efficiently, such as dealing with a broken printer or speaking to an unhappy customer.
Communication Skills
Admin assistants need excellent communication skills to interact with their employers, managers, and colleagues. They need to be able to talk clearly and concisely in person and on the phone while adjusting their speech and behavior depending on the person they are talking to.
Administrative assistants also need to be able to work with executives and managers in the office to organize meetings and communicate on their behalf. Hiring managers will want to assess your written and verbal communication skills during an interview for this position.
The ability to problem-solve is also an essential skill for an administrative assistant. They need to handle unforeseen obstacles and schedules that change suddenly. This means being able to think quickly, being flexible, and being open to asking for help from others to overcome challenges.
Organizational Skills
Administrative assistants often have multiple jobs, so they need organizational skills to keep track of tasks. Without an orderly system, they can quickly lose track of essential files or miss deadlines.
Leadership and problem-solving skills are also crucial. Administrative assistants are often the go-to people for staff and clients who call with questions or problems. They need to be able to listen to a wide range of issues, brainstorm solutions, and decide what to do next.
Time management is another essential skill for administrative assistants. They have to be able to meet deadlines, adjust their priorities as needed, and schedule their days for productivity.
Interpersonal skills are essential for administrative assistants, who spend much time communicating with co-workers, managers, and clients. Effective communication means speaking clearly and presenting a positive tone.
Time Management Skills
Time management is a critical skill that helps you get things done efficiently. This includes planning your work day, completing tasks on time, and organizing all your paperwork.
Managing time effectively is crucial when working as an administrative assistant, where your day may be filled with multiple tasks and responsibilities. You need to be able to prioritize your work and get the most important jobs done first so that you stay caught up on other projects.
You also need to be able to set goals so that you know what your objectives are and what you need to accomplish. This will help you stay focused and keep your mind on the task at hand, no matter how many other things you have to do.
Good time management skills are a must for any job and are often considered a top career requirement, but some are more difficult to develop than others. This is why it is essential to understand the different types of time management skills and how they can be improved.
Computer Skills
If you want to work as an administrative assistant, you must have the right computer skills. This includes using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel software.
These are all essential for creating documents that can be used to communicate and present ideas to your organization. In addition, you need to be able to search the web quickly and efficiently.
This is important for getting the information you need when preparing a personalized sales presentation or researching a topic for a word document. Getting online and navigating a search engine can help you make quick decisions, improving your productivity as an admin assistant.
Many companies offer training to their staff to develop specific skills, and many will finance or partially pay for this professional development. So if you’re interested in taking on a new skill set, contact your HR department or supervisor for more information.
