Administrative Assistant

The Association of Administrative Assistants is a chartered, non-profit Canadian organization founded in April 1951. The Association is proactive in encouraging its members to further their education and enhance their career opportunity. The Association's motto is: "Professionalism through Education".

► Strong work ethic

► Productivity

► Professionalism

► Problem-solving and critical thinking skills

► Technical skills

► Interpersonal skills

► Communication skills

► Customer focus

► Teamwork and collaboration skills

Administrative Assistant is a broad job category that designates an individual who provides various kinds of administrative support to people and groups in business enterprises.

The U.S. Department of Labor report states that the middle 50% of administrative assistants nationwide earn between $25,350 and $39,440 annually. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that executive assistants earn more, reporting average annual salaries of over $48,000 a year. You may also qualify for benefits as an administrative assistant or executive assistant.

Administrative assistants and executive assistants can be found working in schools, government agencies, and corporate settings across a broad range of industries. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that employment in this field will grow by 12%, which equates to over 479,000 new jobs. Job opportunities are expected to be especially high for those who have a strong background in computer software applications, and with Career Step training you can train on either Microsoft Office 2010 or 2007 software so you can become a certified Microsoft Office Specialist Master.

Goals and aims are similar, but the main difference is that AAA wholly Canadian and their Qualified Administrative Assistant certificate program is based on Canadian content and offered exclusively at Canadian post-secondary institutions.

This is one question to which you really ought to have a well thought-out answer, because it shows the interviewer you're goal oriented and you plan for the future, and this job you're applying for is a part of that plan. In your response, appeal to the needs and desires of the employer, which include commitment, stability and ambition. Employers will give you greater consideration if you can ensure them that their investment in you will be good for their business. Indicate your intention to stay with this company long-term and express your desire to excel as an administrative professional.

Your answer to this question can reveal a couple of things about you: you're committed to self-improvement and you stay current with the latest trends and technology. As an admin assistant it's important to remain dedicated to improving your efficiencies and understanding operational systems currently used in the business world. Maybe you acquired continuing education on laws and regulations related to privacy, for example. Be sure to highlight the things you've learned that relate most to the company or industry for which you are applying to work. Include workshops, conferences or online courses you've attended, or books you've read.

This question presents an opportunity for you to toot your own horn, but you want to approach this answer with caution. Spending too much time on this question, by going on about how great you are or how many strengths you possess, is a strategy that will most likely backfire. Try to focus on no more than three specific strengths and select those strengths beforehand, so they're tailored to the needs and expectations of the employer.

The important thing to remember when responding to this question is to stay positive. Don't ever say anything negative about any of your previous employers. Instead, list one or two reasons related to your desire to learn and grow in your career. Perhaps you're looking for opportunities to contribute more than you have in the past, or you're looking for a greater challenge. Regardless of the actual reason, the person interviewing you will note that you elected to speak respectfully and professionally about past employers, which speaks volumes about your character and integrity as an employee.

Certification is not required for employment. However, the U.S. Department of Labor states, "[Job] opportunities should be best for applicants with extensive knowledge of computer software applications." The Career Step Executive Assistant program prepares you for the Microsoft Office Specialist Master credential with training on either Microsoft Office 2010 or 2007 software applications. Earning the MOS Master credential will prove your knowledge of software applications and increase your job opportunities and earning potential, and a free exam voucher to take a Microsoft Office Specialist exam is included with the course upon graduation (a $120 value).

Job candidates sometimes fall into a trap when responding to this question. The answer you want to avoid is something along the lines of, "my greatest weakness is that I can do everything that can be done in office but I just don't have enough time to do it." Hiring managers want you to provide an honest and modest answer so they can gauge your level of self-awareness. It's okay and encouraged for you to be upfront when answering this question. The truth is everybody possesses weaknesses, just be sure you choose a legitimate weakness and highlight what you have done to address the weakness.

This question belongs to the most common in an interview. They use it everywhere. Inexperienced HR managers use it to learn something about your weaknesses. And sometimes they use it simply because it can be found on the majority of interview templates. They follow no special intentions with it…

However, the experienced recruiters have another reason to use it. Of course, they are able to assess your strengths and weaknesses without inquiring about it. That's their specialty, the skill they get their salary for. But they use this question to check your trustworthiness and humility, to see if you can assess and admit your own weaknesses.

"People say that I am very responsible. I am always on time. My level of motivation is high all the time, doesn't matter if we speak about work or any other activity I do in my free time. On the other hand, I know I should work on my management skills a little bit, because I sometimes find myself in a situation when I do not manage everything in time."