Is Administrative Assistant a Good Job?
Administrative assistants provide essential support to the operations of small, medium and large businesses, government agencies, community organizations and educational institutions.
The job requires high organizational and communication skills to maintain an efficient office environment. They also need to have the ability to improvise and problem-solve when unexpected issues arise.
Job description
An administrative assistant job description is an essential tool for businesses to use when advertising for a position. Providing a detailed description of the job responsibilities will attract candidates who are qualified for the job and keep them interested in applying.
Typical duties for an administrative assistant include:
- Handling phone and email.
- Setting up meetings.
- Maintaining files.
- Tracking office inventory.
- Ordering supplies when needed and supporting managers in various administrative tasks.
The right candidate will have excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. They will also desire to be a helpful and positive presence in the office and anticipate the needs of others.
An administrative assistant can be found in just about any industry. The demand for these positions is high in New York City, where there are more than 2,000 openings currently.
Education requirements
Generally, administrative assistants do not need any specific certifications or college degrees. However, a high school diploma or GED equivalency is helpful.
A certificate from a business or technical school can also be beneficial. These programs often include courses in computer technology and office skills needed for this position.
In addition, many employers require that an administrative assistant have a certain amount of experience in the field. This is especially true for executive assistants who work directly for a CEO or other executive in a company.
An administrative assistant must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. They use these skills when coordinating events, delegating responsibilities, and writing reports and other necessary documentation. They also use good grammar and proper business writing to ensure clear, precise and well-organized communication.
Salary
An administrative assistant’s salary varies widely depending on the type of job and the employer. Typically, the highest salaries are earned by those who serve executives in offices or corporate divisions.
The average administrative assistant salary is about $106,000 annually. This includes taxable wages, tips, bonuses and other compensation.
An entry-level administrative assistant supports executives and other office workers with clerical duties. These duties often include answering the phone, scheduling appointments, booking flights and hotels, and liaising with other office personnel.
Medical administrative assistants in hospitals or physician practices may work traditional 9-to-5 shifts. Still, they will also be required to cover evening and weekend hours if those medical offices are open late or on weekends.
MAAs working for sizeable allied healthcare systems may earn higher salaries than those working in small hospitals or physician practices because of the economies of scale these larger organizations enjoy. Additionally, those trained in medical coding and bookkeeping may leverage their diplomas into higher pay when they begin working for a new employer that requires these skills.
Work environment
As an administrative assistant, you support managers and executives with various tasks. These include making travel arrangements, managing schedules and arranging appointments. You may also assist with research, writing reports, using computers to edit and produce visual aids and preparing documents in-house or on the Internet.
A good work environment for an administrative assistant offers a supportive environment and clear performance expectations. Companies should be willing to provide on-the-job training and guidance so that they can learn the industry’s terminology and protocols.
You should be able to juggle multiple duties, completing each task in the appropriate time frame. Excellent organizational skills and strong interpersonal communication are essential to succeed in this career.
An administrative assistant is often the first person a visitor meets in an office, so they must be well-organized and calm under pressure. They are also responsible for ensuring the entire office functions properly and efficiently. They must be able to step in and solve problems quickly if necessary.