5 Skills to Look for in a Qualified Administrative Assistant

Did you know that an administrative assistant does so much more than answering the phones and scheduling meetings? They are every companies secret weapon; the glue that holds everything together. Your administrative assistant will organize everything that allows your other employees to do their jobs properly and professionally.

So, what administrative assistant skills should you be looking for in a potential candidate, and what does an administrative assistant actually do?

1.Excellent Communication Skills

An administrative assistant is often the face of the company. Your assistant is the first point of contact for many others, employees and clients alike. Whether talking face-to-face, on the phone, or via email, your assistant needs to communicate well.

This also means making sure nothing is lost in translation and referring customers to the right departments so they get the answers they require the first time.

2.Technology Savvy

Businesses can’t be as successful as possible without the use of technology. Along with skills in basic programs like Microsoft Office, your assistant should also be able to use email well, be familiar with how e-commerce works, and know how to use social media accounts.

This is why many employers choose to opt for a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants can do their job from a remote setting so the employer doesn’t have to pay for office space. You can hire a VA online.

3.Organization Skills

Organizational skills are incredibly important in an administrative role. Your assistant will be responsible for organizing an array of company aspects. From scheduling meetings to correspondence, and even employee events, your assistant will need to be on the button every time.

4.Time Management

Timekeeping is essential in this role. If your assistant is constantly late arriving at work or takes too long replying to a client, it makes the whole company look bad. However, if your assistant is always there to greet clients with a warm smile or is known for quick responses to queries, your clients will return again and again.

An administrative assistant will also be highly skilled at prioritizing tasks to make sure that time is well spent. As an assistant’s time needs to be stretched across all departments, you’ll need someone good at dividing their time as needed.

5.Resourcefulness

Your assistant needs to be a natural problem solver. There will be plenty of times when your assistant needs to call on their resourcefulness to adapt to an unprecedented situation. If, as the boss, you are not present during a crisis, your assistant needs to be able to be creative.

Looking For Administrative Assistant Skills

Looking for someone with the best administrative assistant skills isn’t easy. You may need to go through a tiring process to shortlist candidates. The good news is, it’s worth it to find someone who can represent your company flawlessly and without hassle.

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