How to Be a Great Admin Assistant
Interpersonal skills
Being a good admin assistant requires a wide range of interpersonal skills, including good organisational skills, attention to detail, and an ability to think ahead. Moreover, this role requires the ability to communicate effectively and absorb communication from executives and others in the workplace. This role also requires good spelling and a good telephone manner.
These skills can be acquired through various activities. Volunteering with other organizations or joining team sports will help you develop your skills. Volunteering your services will also show your coworkers that you're willing to help out. This will broaden your skill set and give you the opportunity to help out a colleague who's struggling with a project.
Apart from these skills, administrative assistants should have experience in computer programs. They should also have experience in using digital calendars. Negotiation skills are also important in this job. They should be able to get the best prices for supplies. In addition, being able to handle a variety of tasks will help an administrative assistant to become a successful candidate in a new company.
Being flexible and creative are other essential skills for administrative assistants. This is because the job can sometimes involve unexpected challenges. A good problem-solver will be open to asking for help and working with the rest of the team members to get the job done. Problem-solving skills also involve discussion, compromise, and resilience.
Being polite and courteous is another important quality for administrative assistants. A good phone manner will make a great impression on any potential employer. Ensure that your voice is pleasant and well modulated. Moreover, keep in mind that you cannot see the person on the other end of the phone. If you're not in a mood to answer the phone, you can simply put them on hold until you have a chance to call them back.
Good verbal and written communication skills are also essential for being a good admin assistant. Administrative assistants have to interact with many people in the office. They also need to write office correspondence and take notes during meetings. A good communicator will be able to make everyone feel comfortable.
Problem-solving
Problem-solving skills are essential for a job in the administrative support field. Your job as an admin assistant may involve helping your boss troubleshoot office issues and resolve problems. Employers value your analytical skills, and they are looking for individuals who can think on their feet and remain calm in tense situations. In addition to being flexible and reliable, you should also be willing to learn new skills if they prove useful to your employer.
A good administrative assistant is also adaptable and creative. They are often faced with unexpected challenges and must be prepared to find solutions to them. They need to be willing to ask for help and work with other team members to come up with creative solutions. Problem-solving skills require good communication skills, compromise, and resilience.
The best admins can identify issues before they become a problem, and they can often solve them before the issue has a chance to manifest itself. These qualities make a great admin assistant indispensable. Kelly Todd began her career as an executive assistant, supporting two executives at a production company for HGTV.
Having the courage to speak up is another essential skill for an administrative assistant. Many times, they must address issues that are troubling the organization, and may have to speak up to make changes. Some administrative assistants complain and soliloquize about the way things are done, while others choose to take action to improve the situation. By speaking up, you can help improve the system and help build a strong career in the field.
Organizational skills
Organizational skills are one of the most important skills for an administrative assistant. These skills are essential to a number of duties, including scheduling meetings, writing job descriptions, and arranging notes during meetings. They are also important in keeping company files and documents organized so that they are readily available to the appropriate people when needed. If an administrative assistant lacks organizational skills, they may find themselves in a position where they are not able to keep up with their workload.
In addition to organizational skills, administrative professionals should also be efficient time managers. They must be able to plan their time wisely and ensure that they don't overlap their appointments. Effective time management skills are essential for an administrative professional, as they can apply to any field. Having appointment-keeping experience in your resume or during an interview will prove that you can manage your time well and are effective at completing tasks.
Another important skill for an administrative assistant is computer skills. A good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications is essential. Additionally, it's essential to have excellent spelling skills. A good admin assistant will also have a great command of the various project management tools used by an organization. They should also have a thorough knowledge of the various operating systems and computer software.
Communication skills are also essential. Effective communication skills are essential for an administrative assistant, since they will deal with the entire company and its employees on a daily basis. As an administrative assistant, you must also prioritize tasks and be able to manage many responsibilities. You should be able to manage the calendars of executives, manage office supplies, and be able to answer the phone. Lastly, administrative assistants must be organized and have excellent planning skills.
Other essential skills for an administrative assistant include adaptability, flexibility, and attention to detail. It is important to be able to multi-task and have excellent communication skills. You should be able to handle many tasks at once, and be efficient with time management. Furthermore, an administrative assistant should be able to speak clearly.
IT literacy
Having a high degree of computer literacy is vital for any admin assistant job. Today's world is highly dependent on technology and an administrative assistant should be able to adapt easily to changes and new systems. While different industries have different requirements for computer literacy, some common skills to have include knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Workspace tools, calendaring, mail functions, and internet use. Some positions may also require strong Excel skills.
Good communication skills are also vital for a successful career as an administrative assistant. As the first person many people will come into contact with, it is important to be able to communicate in a professional manner. Effective communication skills include being able to communicate in person and in writing. They should also be able to keep people informed and resolve any issues that may arise. Effective communication skills will improve the quality of the work of an administrative assistant as well as help build relationships with other employees.