Administrative support staff is an integral part of any organization. They handle a number of necessary tasks for individuals at all levels of the business. They are truly the glue that can hold entire departments together. If you’re considering a career as an administrative assistant, you may want to think about cultivating these five qualities essential for success in a support role:
- Strong communications. Administrative assistants need to be able to effectively communicate with people at all levels. This includes everyone from seasonal temporary help to the CEO or VP of a company. Verbal and written communications are both necessary and should be provided in a way that matches the communication style of the business in general.
- Excellent organization. While managing the calendars and day-to-day tasks of individuals throughout the organization, an administrative assistant will need impeccable organizational skills. Their desks should never look like a tornado zone and they should be able to access any piece of information at any time depending on what is necessary.
- Time management. Just as important as physical organizational skills is the need to organize time. Not only should a successful administrative assistant be able to manage their own day-to-day priorities, but they may also need to keep the individuals they support on track for their functions as well.
- Dependable and reliable. Administrative support personnel also need to be dependable and reliable. In many ways, they need to be the rock on which a senior staff member can anchor themselves. Often, executives are pulled in a number of directions or have to represent the innovative forces of the company. They need to be able to rely on their support staff for things to run smoothly.
- Service oriented. Finally, admins need to be service-minded. This applies not only to the customers of the company they represent but also the internal staff who relies on them to perform their day-to-day tasks and keep the entire organization on track. Always be in a position to be helpful.
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