A typical admin today would be expected to manage budgets, perform light accounting work, and update creative documents including marketing and promotional material as well as schedule meetings. Executive Admin may be called upon to coordinate and run conference calls and meetings and step in for management as appropriate. Managers will frequently ask their assistants to compile original PowerPoint slides, presentation and proposals.
Administrative assistants are responsible for organizing, managing, scheduling and maintaining information for a company's infrastructure. A typical admin will be expected to: use copiers, fax machines, typewriters and personal computers, create spreadsheets, compose email, maintain paper and electronic files, create documents, manage databases and handle travel arrangements. Administrative assistants should be able to prepare detailed reports and visual presentations (often using Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word and Publisher) for management.
To be successful today an admin assistant must demonstrate a diverse set of skills and be creative in managing new situations. As the job demands have increased, so have the schooling requirements. Most administrative assistants today have a 4 year degree or a minimum of a 2 year associates degree. General PC proficiency and strong skills in a variety of computer programs is a must along with experience composing a number of types of professional documents. Once you have found a few jobs that interest you and that you are qualified for, you should prepare the materials that you will be sending to the companies.
Many people use basic form letters and the same resume for every job they apply for. This is unwise. Computer programs make it so easy for you to tweak these materials so that they can be individually aimed at one specific agency. However you choose to do it, you should send each company you are applying to a resume and references with a cover letter. Take the time to use references that are pertinent to the job you are looking at.
