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What is an Administrative Assistant?

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Talent.com talent.com
Answered July 01 2021
Career Expert at Talent.com
Administrative Assistants are the right-hands of company executives and politicians, managing their schedules and setting up their appointments. They plan, organize, coordinate, and control all administrative and operational procedures, activities, and documentation. They provide direct support not only to executives but to the office dynamic in general.  
   
Administrative Assistants are different from Executive Assistants, whose job comes with giving out professional advice and recommendations on top of various clerical tasks. Administrative Assistants find themselves as representatives of the team or company instead, often liaising with individuals and organizations on behalf of executives, and coordinating Public Relations activities.  
   
The title of Administrative Assistant is rapidly changing to incorporate the new responsibilities this role entails.  
Administrative professionals may also be referred to as Administrative Coordinators or Administrative Specialists, while at the same time, titles such as Assistant or Secretary are falling out of favor due to advances to the position that require more experience and, at times, education.  

Personality of an Administrative Assistant
  • They are customer service experts
While making it as an Administrative Assistant is possible without expert knowledge of the customer service space, it is relatively common that they come with experience in this field.   
   
  • They are incredibly organized
Administrative work can be very time-consuming, and there can be a lot of it when it starts to pile up. However, organized and highly detail-oriented Administrative Assistants will find their jobs more manageable with this skill up their sleeves.   
   
  • They are excellent problem-solvers
Often, an unpredictable situation pops up requiring Administrative Assistants to think fast on their feet. Perhaps they need to replace faulty equipment quickly or handle an unexpectantly disgruntled customer. Possessing problem-solving skills will help manage these situations with ease. 
 
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