Competition has always been steep for administrative assistant positions. There are many people with similar backgrounds vying for the same jobs. So how can you make sure that you stand out in the crowd? Before you apply for your next job, consider these three steps you can take to make the right impression and land the offer.
- Personally address your correspondence.
Before you even send your cover letter and resume, do some research. Don’t ever send something addressed, “To Whom it May Concern.” Try to find out the name of the hiring manager or human resources contact even if it isn’t explicit in the job posting. This will give you an edge in your application because they will see that you took the time to do your homework and find out important information. The best place to start to find this information is with the company website or LinkedIn. - Give three examples.
Studies have demonstrated that the human brain likes to work in sets of three. When you give three examples of anything, the details are far more likely to be remembered than sets of four or five. So, use this psychological trick to your advantage with your resume and cover letter. Keep your accomplishments in sets of three. Share three things you’ve done in your career that will impact the employer and help them succeed. - Pay attention to details.
Finally, as an administrative assistant part of your job will be keeping track of the most crucial details. It is important that you can do that in the application, resume, and interview process. Read the job description carefully. Be sure to follow any instructions specifically, they are often meant as a test to see how well you follow directions. Pay attention to the little things like office culture, implied preferences, and whatever else stands out to you as important. When you meet the hiring manager for the first time, use these details in your examples to give them a sense that you care about the job, the environment, and the people there.
Are you looking for your next administrative assistant job? Harvard Resource Solutions is now hiring for administrative jobs in Troy MI, so call us now!
