Become an Administrative Assistant in the Business World

If you like working with business, you can become an administrative assistant if you have the proper training and experience. In this job, you will be responsible for performing the day-to-day tasks of operating an office. You can get the training your need for such a position through a two-year course in office administration at a technical or vocational college. Many businesses prefer applicants who hold a four-year degree in Office administration. The coursework you take in this program will give you the skills you need to become proficient in MS Office and have knowledge of computer systems. It is not enough to simply know how to operate the equipment in an office, as you will need to know how to perform the cleaning needed and to be able to diagnose and repair simple problems, without having to call in a technician for everything.

Some of the duties you will have to perform as an administrative assistant include answering the telephone, corresponding with clients, creating and updating Power Point presentations for meetings and seminars, faxing and photocopying as well as typing up reports. Because you will be dealing with many people on a daily basis, it is important that you have excellent interpersonal skills and a friendly demeanor. You should be able to act professionally in all situations, whether they are stressful or not and be able to adapt to changing situations. Being a team player is also important because you will be working with the other personnel in the business.

The job of administrative assistant involves preparing reports and writing letters. This means you must have above average written communication skills with a strong grasp of the rules of written language – grammar, spelling and punctuation rules. Proofreading the work of others may be a responsibility you take on in this administrative field, which is why these skills are so important. As you gain experience, you have the opportunity to advance within the business to become an Administrative Associate or a Project manager.



It is possible to find a job as an administrative assistant right out of college or university, if you have performed well in your courses. An internship, as part of the coursework, is essential because it will help you gain some experience in the field. Most companies look for applicants who have experience working as an office manager or assistant when they review the resumes of those applying for the job openings. Many companies recruit their assistants out of colleges and universities and hold job fairs at various times of the year. References from your professors and from your supervisor in your internship must be part of your application package so potential employers can see how you can be an asset to their business.

If you get hired in an entry-level administrative position with a business, you can advance to the administrative assistant level with experience. As you develop your skills and learn on the job, employers will notice your work ethic and professionalism. In this position, the work schedule is usually Monday to Friday, with weekends off, but depending on the business, some have a flexible work schedule and a casual work environment.