5 Administrative Assistant Skills for Success
The role of an administrative assistant is crucial in the fast-paced business world we live in. This is particularly true in locations such as New York, where being efficient and a skilled administrative assistant can make a huge impact on business. Administrative assistants are key for receiving office support and organization. If you’re job hunting for an administrative assistant job, developing certain skills can make you stand out as a candidate. Whether you’re look to work for a private small company, non-profit, or a corporate office, you should adopt these five administrative assistant skills for success in your role.
What is an Administrative Assistant?
An administrative assistant is defined as “a person whose job is to support an executive, group, department, or organization by handling administrative tasks”. Administrative assistants are versatile, and no two days are the same. General responsibilities include answering phone calls, responding to emails, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining calendars, creating filing systems, perform bookkeeping, and managing accounts. Without administrative assistants, offices and companies wouldn’t run as efficiently, organized, or smoothly.
Five Administrative Assistant Skills for Success
- Organization
As an administrative assistant having strong organizational skills are key. Many times, in this role it is your responsibility to keep track of both your own tasks as well as your employer’s schedule. Admin assistants typically have a lot going on in many different directions, therefore it is required to be organized to stay on top of everything. Having top-tier organizational skills as the backbone of the office means you will be extremely efficient.
- Effective Communication
In the role of an administrative assistant, having clear and effective communication is arguably one of the most important skills to have. This includes both verbal and written communication skills. Whether you’re drafting emails, answering phone calls, or acting as the liaison between departments, your ability to accurately convey information is crucial for success. For administrative assistants in NY, this is particularly true due to the diversity of clients and industries you may encounter. With clear and effective communication, it creates a positive work environment and influences collaboration among team members.
- Attention to Detail
Since administrative assistants juggle many tasks at once, paying attention to detail is crucial. As an administrative assistant, the role often involves reviewing documents, scheduling important meetings or deadlines, and ensuring that all the tasks are done accurately. Often times you are trusted to proofread important documents and learning to take your time with tasks is extremely important. By being detail oriented, you can avoid costly mistakes and enhance your reputation for reliability.
- Problem-Solving
Facing unexpected challenges comes with the job, therefore it’s important to have good problem-solving skills. Being a good problem solver means adapting to situations quickly in a calm manner, finding creative solutions, and critical thinking. Whether it’s rearranging meetings or managing last-minute cancellations, being able to quickly find solutions ensures you have valuable skills.
- Time Efficiency
Being efficient with your time is crucial when it comes to positions where you have a lot to juggle. Adopting effective time management skills includes the ability to manage your workday by prioritizing tasks, minimizing distractions, planning ahead, and creating deadlines. Without time management skills, the job can quickly become challenging. If you optimize productivity and efficiency, it’ll ensure that you will be able to meet deadlines consistently and excel in your role as an administrative assistant.
Final Thoughts
Being an administrative assistant in NY requires a combination of essential skills for success. By homing in on your organizational, communication, time efficiency, problem solving, and detail-oriented skills, you’ll be an extremely valuable team member. If you’re looking for a job, it’s important to express these 5 administrative assistant skills for success. By focusing on these key skills, you will thrive in this position. Having trouble finding an administrative assistant job in NY? Send us your resume today and one of our talented recruiters will connect you with the best opportunity!