Shop The Gift Basket Store: Steps to Become an Administrative Assistant

Mark A Murphyhttp://www.administrativeassistantjobs.info/
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If you have a knack for administrative work and ability to juggle multiple responsibilities and remain professional all the time, than you might consider becoming an administrative assistant. An administrative assistant essentially manages all administrative functions of any business.

Responsibilities of an administrative assistant include -
• Handling office correspondence and other communications, • Documenting work like writing reports, memos, meeting minutes • Managing supply and stocking of office stationery • Filing and record keeping • Overseeing the maintenance and ordering of office equipment and furniture • Secretarial work like managing work schedule and paperwork etc. • Front office work like handling calls, reception etc

To become an administrative assistant, you need minimum of a high school graduation. However higher education levels can help you get better jobs and get promoted easily as well. You will of course need to undergo an administrative assistant training. These training modules are available at schools, community colleges, and certified institutions and even online.

Depending on your level of education, and specialization desired you can choose the level of your administrative training course. For instance there are short basic administrative training courses that teach typing, front office work etc which can get you a job at junior level.

If you are more serious and want to specialize in the administrative work for the medical or legal field, you might consider a one or two year course from a reputed institute. If you are a graduate with degree in financial or human resources, a good administrative training course will probably be enough to get you a good job.

The cost can vary from as low as $60 for short online courses to more than $600 for accredited courses. There are also various financial help schemes available for students from low income families, adult education programs, disable or veterans etc.
This training will simply give you the tools of the trade. The actual training will come on the job when you will be handling multiple tasks simultaneously.

Administrative assistants are also required to have strong communication and interpersonal skills as they need to work with all departments in the office as well as visitors and clients. Some administrative training will also cover this kind of grooming. This is essential for future growth in this field.
After sitting through your secretarial examination you can either go for an apprenticeship if such a program is available in your institute or start hunting for a job right away. You might have to start working from the ground level as receptionist and front office executive. With some experience under your belt you can move up to secretarial roles.

If you are only a high school graduate this might be the best time to earn a bachelors degree through adult educations schemes while working. A degree will make it easier for you to go up the ladder. Otherwise you may find yourself stuck at one level despite your experience.

Once you have worked around two years, you can start sitting for secretarial examinations for Certified Professional Secretary (CPS), Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Certified Legal Secretary Specialist (CLSS) etc. These certifications will rather like letters after a doctors name, more the better. While a junior administrative assistant can earn about $20000 per annum, an experienced senior executive secretary can command up to $60,000 a year. And every year, thousands of administrative assistant jobs are added to the market making it a level playing ground.

Send a gourmet gift basket to your Administrative Assistant to recognize their efforts on Administrative Professionals Day. Make your selection here at: http://www.shopthegiftbasketstore.com/admin.html