If you’ve seen Mad Men you know Christina Hendricks as the beautiful, feisty, and professional Joan Holloway. While she functions as an office manager and administrative assistant, Joan brings a sharp awareness of office politics, and the changing role of women in the workplace, to AMC’s marquee period drama. The office can’t operate without her, as no one else knows how the office is organized. An Administrative Assistant provides support to people within a business, but beyond that this role provides an amazing opportunity to get deeply involved with a company and key executives, leading to future advancement.
Photo Credit: Flickr user ESwift
An administrative assistant provides support to people within a business by being the information and communication manager for an office. Furthermore administrative assistants are increasingly assuming responsibilities once reserved for managerial staff. Top executives need support to do their jobs effectively, and that’s where executive assistants come in: combining the organizational talents of an office manager, the record-keeping savvy of a financial whiz, and the professional foundation of a committed secretary into one flexible role. The great thing about being an Administrative Assistant is that it gives you the opportunity to get your foot in the door and then transition into something else within the company; it’s an opportunity for an entry level person to get in front of important people.
While a typical day for an administrative assistant varies, it generally includes some of these tasks:
On average in 2011 Administrative Assistants made $36,092 per year, while Executive Assistants earned $50,688. Qualified administrative assistants who broaden their knowledge of a company’s operations and enhance their skills may be promoted to senior or executive secretary or administrative assistant, clerical supervisor, or office manager ($23,347-$54,882/year). Administrative support experience also can lead to jobs such as instructor or sales representative. With additional training, many legal secretaries become paralegals.
Here are some hot spots for administrative assistants:
Employers of Executive Assistants increasingly are looking for candidates with a college degree. A degree related to the business or industry will provide you with an advantage in the application process. Although typically not required, testing and certification for proficiency in office skills are available through organizations such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals; National Association of Legal Secretaries, Inc.; Legal Secretaries International, Inc; and International Virtual Assistants Association.
Furthermore, to be an Administrative Assistant you’ll need to have great writing, project management, customer service, and communication skills. Beyond that, discretion, good judgment, organizational or management ability, initiative, and the ability to work independently are especially important for higher-level administrative positions.
If being an administrative assistant still sounds like your cup of tea, here are a few things you should do to get started.
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Risk Analyst | Cincinnati, OH |
| Underwriting Analyst | Ohio |
| Restoration Technician (Carpentry/Build Back) | Columbus, OH |
| Rotational Summer Internship | Cincinnati, OH |
| Director of Business Development | San Francisco, CA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Salon Manager & Multitasker Extraordinaire | San Francisco, CA |
| Marketing Specialist II | Oakland, CA |
| Sales Agent for IT Company - Salaried | Anchorage, AK |
| Construction Inspector / Road and Bridge | Casper, WY |
| Senior Roadway and Bridge Inspector | Reno, NV |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Caretaker and Rotator | United States |
| Roadside Assistance Driver East Syracuse | East Syracuse, NY |
| Tow Truck Drivers East Syracuse | East Syracuse, NY |
| Development Manager | San Francisco, CA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Software Developer | Boston, MA |
| Vice President / Director of Marketing | Brighton, MA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Salesforce Team Lead | Austin, TX |
| Audio Visual Technician (South of Milwaukee) | Milwaukee, WI |
| UCM Team Lead and Architect PayPal | Omaha, NE |
| SQA Intern | Austin, TX |
| Lead AV Technician | Charlotte, NC |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Communications Assistant | Boston, MA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Product Manager | San Francisco, CA |
| Product Marketing (Accountant Channel) | San Francisco, CA |
| Payroll Supervisor | Lubbock, TX |
| Fraud Analyst | San Francisco, CA |
| Implementation Analyst | San Francisco, CA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Account Executive | Irvine, CA |
| Finance Manager | Vandalia, OH |
| Lease Administrator | Irvine, CA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Pro Shop Assistant | Riverside, CA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| LIVE Events - AV Coordinator | Brentwood, TN |
| Publicity Assistant | Brentwood, TN |
| ELP Content Writer | Brentwood, TN |
| Split Writer | Brentwood, TN |
| ELP Content Writer | Brentwood, TN |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Tax Senior Manager - Partner Track Opportunity! | Amherst, NY |
| Tax Senior Manager - Partner Track Opportunity! | Buffalo, NY |
| Engineering Assistant - Research & Development | Rogers, CT |
| Iowa Innovation Corp: CEO and Regional Innovation Program Director | Des Moines, IA |
| Recruiter | Anchorage, AK |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| ASM- Assistant Store Manager - Southpark Center Mall | Seattle, WA |
| Assistant Store Manager | Cincinnati, OH |
| Store Manager | Saint Cloud, MN |
| HR Generalist - North Jackson, OH | North Jackson, OH |
| Sales Associate | Swansea, MA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Coordinator | Philadelphia, PA |
| Payroll Coordinator | Seattle, WA |
| Production Planner | Seattle, WA |
| Sewing Machine Technician, Production | Seattle, WA |
| Retail Sales Associate, Full Time & Part Time | Burlington, WA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Sales and Service Representative | Hickory, NC |
| Regional Therapy Director | San Antonio, TX |
| Universal Banker | Hortonville, WI |
| Sales and Service Advisor | Tamarac, FL |
| Cust Sls & Svc Rep Rtl (Lo) | Rochester, IN |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Human Resources Assistant | New York, NY |
| Housewares Sales Associate | New York, NY |
| Recruiter | New York, NY |
| Produce Associate - Baldor | Chicago, IL |
| Cheesemonger | Chicago, IL |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Computer Forensics Programming Internship | Chicago, IL |
| Associate Computer Forensics Examiner | Chicago, IL |
| Office Manager | Chicago, IL |
| Systems & Network Security Engineer | Chicago, IL |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Sales Development Representative | San Francisco, CA |
| Golang Tech Lead | San Francisco, CA |
| Marketing Manager | San Francisco, CA |
| Marketing Director | San Francisco, CA |
| Account Manager | San Francisco, CA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Visual Design Intern | San Francisco, CA |
| Business Development Analyst | San Francisco, CA |
| Lead Campaign Coordinator | Omaha, NE |
| Account Executive, Airline Vertical | New York, NY |
| Campaign Coordinator | Omaha, NE |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Visual Design- Paid Internship | Santa Monica, CA |
| Business Development Analyst | Santa Monica, CA |
| Lead Editor - New Unannounced Project | Santa Monica, CA |
| Executive Assistant | Santa Monica, CA |
| Receptionist | Santa Monica, CA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Arts Programming Intern for Non-Profit | New York, NY |
| IT & Web Intern | New York, NY |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer | Denver, CO |
| Management Development Program, Sales Management Training | Fredericksburg, VA |
| Sales Representative | Tucson, AZ |
| User Experience (UX) Careers | San Mateo, CA |
| Management Development Program, Customer Service Management Training | Fredericksburg, VA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Summer Internship 2015 | Detroit, MI |
| Entry-Level Mortgage Banker | Scottsdale, AZ |
| Administrative Assistant Intern – Summer 2015 | Detroit, MI |
| Client Relations Intern – Summer 2015 | Detroit, MI |
| Internship Winter 2015 | Detroit, MI |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Shipping Manager | Somerville, MA |
| Assistant Production Manager - PM Shift | Somerville, MA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Account Executive | Atlanta, GA |
| Graphic Design Specialist | Atlanta, GA |
| Public Relations Account Exeutive | New York, NY |
| Vice President, Communications | New York, NY |
| Accounts Payable Associate | Atlanta, GA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Fashion Production Assistant Internship | Los Angeles, CA |
| PRN Pediatric Speech Therapist | Gastonia, NC |
| Direct Account Manager | Denver, CO |
| Community Development Lending Relationship Manager I | Philadelphia, PA |
| SharePoint Solution Consultant | Saint Paul, MN |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Franchise Administration Specialist | Irvine, CA |
| Franchise Developer | Carrollton, TX |
| Home Based Franchise Administration Specialist | Dayton, OH |
| Franchise Administration Specialist | Dayton, OH |
| Franchise Administration Specialist | Washington, DC |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Video Intern | Washington, DC |
| Research Associate | Irvine, CA |
| Field Researcher - Hunt County / Rockwall County | Dallas, TX |
| Field Researcher - King & Pierce | Seattle, WA |
| Field Researcher - Skagit & Snohomish | Seattle, WA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Sales Client Service Specialist | Peoria, AZ |
| UX Design Intern | San Luis Obispo, CA |
| Salon Manager/Stylist | Southfield, MI |
| Wellness Intern | Columbia, MD |
| Product Manager | San Luis Obispo, CA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Adjunct Positions - Traditional Program | Portland, OR |
| Adjunct Instructors - Adult Degree Program | Portland, OR |
| Juvenile Justice Officer III (PCN 06-4848) | Ketchikan, AK |
| Assistant Fashion Designer | Los Angeles, CA |
| Fashion Buyer/Merchandiser | Los Angeles, CA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Advice Business Analyst | Chicago, IL |
| Forensics Examiner (CFCE, EnCE, ACE, etc) | San Francisco, CA |
| Product Manager | Chicago, IL |
| kCura - Advice Business Analyst | Chicago, IL |
| Big Data Architect- Software Engineering | Chicago, IL |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Coordinator of Volunteers for Service Enterprise Initiative | New York, NY |
| Travel Companion | New York, NY |
| Social Worker | New York, NY |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| President, Kemin Personal Care | Des Moines, IA |
| Dentist - GP (Kingston NY) | Kingston, NY |
| Sales Associate - Account Management & Sales | Appleton, WI |
| Beauty Advisor | Daly City, CA |
| Beauty Boutique Sales Associate | Telluride, CO |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer, Test | Mountain View, CA |
| Software Engineer, Data Wrangler | Mountain View, CA |
| Software Engineer, DevOps | Mountain View, CA |
| Director of Marketing | Mountain View, CA |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Intern - Facilities Project ~ Holland, MI | Holland, MI |
| Intern - Material Planner ~ Big Rapids, MI | Big Rapids, MI |
| Research Specialist | United States |
| Market Research Analyst | United States |
| Print & New Media Advertising Executive | Rochelle Park, NJ |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Assistant to the President for Risk and University Police | Frankfort, KY |
| Internal Auditor | Frankfort, KY |
| AST/ASO PROF | Alachua, FL |
| China Program Coordinator | Fort Collins, CO |
| Vice Chancellor, Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development | Raleigh, NC |
| Job Title | Location |
|---|---|
| Certified Nurse Assistant (PRN) Private Care | Dallas, TX |
| Critical Care Tech - Union - Emergency Department - Part Time Nights Job | Westminster, CO |
| Certified Nurse Assistant - Dallas or Kaufman | Dallas, TX |
| Certified Nurse Assistant - Denton or Collin | McKinney, TX |
| Physician Assistant - Plastic Surgery | Houston, TX |
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