The Effective Admin™

**The Effective Admin is a leading authority since 2004 specializing in professional development, educational resources and training for administrative assistants, executive assistants, secretaries, and administrative professionals of any job title.** At this site, you can get downloadable, self-study, informational products exclusively for administrative assistants and executive assistants that provide you with tips and guidance you can use now at work and in your career. Materials are produced by Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™ and Founder and President of The Effective Admin: "My specialty is serving administrative professionals like you with job performance and career management advice. I have 24 years experience interacting with the 'real' workplace and working administrative professionals."

FREE UPDATES from The Effective Admin for administrative assistants and executive assistants.

Sign up below to receive previews of products and services that can help you with your job performance and career management. Plus, you'll get exclusive discounts and coupon codes, product samples, chances to take part in admin research, and more.

For Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants:

This is your source for administrative assistant training and executive assistant training, professional development, and educational resources that are self-study, self-paced. Whether you've been on the job or in your administrative professional career a month, a year, or decades, you'll find practical information here you can use. The Effective Admin serves thousands of administrative assistants and executive assistants globally who range from aspiring to new to seasoned, veteran administrative professionals. Join the continuous learning fun! 

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? You can maintain and improve your job performance and better manage your career as an administrative professional by tapping into outside knowledge sources like The Effective Admin and implementing some of the new ideas and strategies you learn.

 

Training and Tips for Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants: √  How to Handle Unrealistic Deadlines, Fit it All in, and Find Hidden Hours -- Really! Time Management Tips for Administrative Professionals √ How to Get More Respect at the Office as an Administrative Professional Starting Today! Your Professional Image √  Office Organization...Real Solutions for Administrative Professionals Like You √  What Do Managers Want From You -- Initiating Problem Solving √ The Administrative Professional's Guide to Doing Research on the Internet √  The Administrative Professional's Guide to E-mail Management and E-mail Etiquette √  Office Ergonomics -- Learn How to Prevent Pain and Protect Your Health at Work √  A Business Partnership Plan for Administrative Professionals and Their Managers or Executives √  Tips, Techniques, and Strategies for Prioritizing Your Workload – Especially for Administrative Professionals √  The Basic Guide to Goal Setting for Administrative Professionals √  Top Telephone Tips, Techniques and Skills for Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants The Self-Study Resources for Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants are... ♦"One of the best products I have found for EA training." Kathy, Executive Assistant ♦"I want to be a better admin and I will do whatever it takes to get there. I love this product." Michele, Executive Assistant to CIO ♦"Just what I had been looking for." Norma, Administrative Assistant ♦"I was looking for an edge ... they have given me priceless tools to remain successful in my profession and allow me to be a valuable asset to my directors and my company." Debbie, Admin Assistant ♦"I've actually learned something from everything I have read." Carolyn, Department Specialist IV ♦"I am getting new ways of doing things." Executive Assistant ♦"I am very much enjoying this product...The product provides many different scenarios and ideas that help in an everyday situation." Linda, Senior Personal Assistant ♦"I love the fact, after 33 years, I am still learning new and more efficient avenues to do my work. Your product is awesome!" Jaymee ♦"Finally, someone who understands!" Gloria, Executive Administrator ♦Click to go to current resources available to you.

Training and Tips for Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants: √  How to Plan, Schedule and Set up Meetings Involving Your Manager, Yourself Or Others (Plus Meeting Attendance Tips) and √  What Administrative Professionals Need to Know to Plan and Set up Large Meetings or Special Events √  An Overview of Web Conferences, Audio Conferences and Video Conferences (Including When to use Them), including √  How to Plan and Implement Web Conferences (Plus Participation Tips Too) √  How to Plan and Implement Audio Conferences (Plus Participation Tips Too) √  How to Plan and Implement Video Conferences (Plus Participation Tips Too) √  How to Plan and Coordinate Domestic Travel Arrangements -- A Guide With Tips for Administrative Professionals to Use on the Job √  How to Plan and Coordinate International Business Travel Arrangements -- Tips for Administrative Professionals Supporting Globe-trotting Executives, Managers, and Other Staff √  Practical Advice Administrative Professionals Can Use When Supporting Multiple Managers, Executives, and Other Staff √  The Ultimate Guide for How to Take Minutes and Notes at Meetings (for Administrative Professionals or Anyone Taking Minutes at Meetings) Award-Winning, Quick-Read Administrative Assistant and Executive Assistant Newsletter delivered to your e-mail box 8 times per year in PDF file format....   Get a printable copy of The Effective Admin Newsletter ordering brochure to pass to your manager for funding approval: Click here.   View some sample pages from an earlier issue: Click here for sample pages. "Great administrative professionals thrive on the job and in their careers -- not just survive on the job. Never stop learning to be or remain the best administrative assistant or executive assistant. Get actively engaged in your job and admin career choice. Stay engaged. Learn new skills; refresh current skills; be the best admin; remain the best admin! Be more than 'just an average admin.' Get the success, results, and job satisfaction you want and deserve in your administrative professional job and career every day. The Effective Admin products and services are here to help you get it all."

Special Reports -- With Research and Hundreds of Tips -- for Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants: √  Stress at the Desk for Administrative Professionals and Their Stress-Busting Strategies √  Administrative Professionals' Biggest Interruptions and Distractions at Work -- And Solutions to Manage or Eliminate Them √  Meetings of Administrative Professionals Within Companies √  Administrative Professionals Investing in Professional Development and Training √  Empty Your Inbox Today -- Administrative Professionals' E-Mail Load Reality and E-Mail Management Strategies Two months from now your manager or executive could think you're the best assistant he or she has ever had ...   ...or you could be standing in the unemployment line thinking, "What could I have done differently?"   What will you do to make yourself more valuable to your employer today? Think professional development and continuous learning in your field.   Announcing an Association for Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants offering professional development and continuous learning resources -- Virtual Association for Administrative Professionals (VAAP)   ***. Click here to learn how you can become a member of VAAP   That's the first all virtual professional and educational association for administrative assistants and executive assistants who are employed in companies and organizations globally.   VAAP is operated by The Effective Admin.   The educational resources provided to VAAP members supply you with simple strategies and tips that can make you a better administrative professional and assist you with your daily job performance starting now.   Affiliation with VAAP gives you leverage with your employers and prospective employers in demonstrating your commitment and dedication to continuous learning and your chosen administrative professional role.   Get the edge in your job, career, and even in job interviews by letting employers know you voluntarily continue learning in your field ongoing. That's impressive.***

"Through The Effective Admin professional development and training resources and tools, I'm here to show you how to be the best administrative professional you can be WHILE getting the benefits and satisfaction you deserve as an admin career professional."

I advise executive assistants, administrative assistants and all titles of administrative professionals about their job performance and career management, providing tips and guidance.

Karen Porter

The Administrative

Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™ and Founder and President of The Effective Admin and the Virtual Association for Administrative Professionals (VAAP)

-- Assisting administrative assistants, executive assistants, secretaries and all administrative professionals of any job title or administrative level with professional development and training since 2004

Read more about Karen Porter on my "about me/bio" page.

 

Also follow my Twitter updates with information and inspiration for administrative professionals at www.Twitter.com/KarenFromTEA

 

and get connected with me at LinkedIn:

 

Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants: Click here to Ask the Admin Pro Coach a question about your workplace, job or career (responses appear in The Effective Admin newsletter.)

 

Plus read The Effective Admin Blog updates. The blog is full of free content for administrative assistants and executive assistants. You also can subscribe to it for free (by e-mail and/or feed reader) so you don't miss any of its content.

And join The Effective Admin Discussion Group for Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants at LinkedIn. It's free to join! This is a professional group online in which you can discuss your work performance and career management issues relevant to administrative professionals. I chime in on discussions and moderate the group to keep it spam free and relevant to administrative assistants and executive assistants jobs and careers.

"Thanks for making me appreciate my job as a Business Support staff. Your newsletters have made me appear and sound professional. I have developed confidence in myself on the job. I have also realised that irrespective of your position in a company, you can become a professional and stand out."

Judith Okakuro
Business Support
Nigeria

"I just wanted to give you an update on my situation. I turned in my position questionnaire. It was finally reviewed by our compensation group and a recommendation was given to my boss regarding my position. They recommended the promotion I was looking for, along with another 15% pay increase! Things are still going GREAT! Thank you so much for your guidance! It really helped lead me in the right direction."

Name withheld for privacy
Administrative Assistant
Arkansas

“Your goals setting publication allowed me to think of my goals from a completely different perspective and [this] was the first time in 20 years that I have not stressed over my annual review. I was prepared for it and in fact, looked forward to it."

Judy Santiago
Executive Assistant
San Antonio, Texas

Debbie Ryan
Admin Assistant
Santa Clara, CA

"Hi Karen,

I have been implementing the tips in the materials you have sent me and so far it works well for me. When I was still in my previous job, I started using one of the tips you mentioned in the time management materials....After two days, the record was a painful fact. I realised I have wasted my time in wondering what to do next in my list, chatting on the phone, doing one thing after another without proper planning. This resulted in less efficiency, not delivering results, more time in the office, going home wondering 'Have I finished my tasks? Why do I feel incomplete?'

In my last remaining days with my previous job, I started doing corrective measures on how to ensure I manage my time wisely....Now I go home peacefully, knowing that I have covered all my responsibility for the day and report to work fresh and happy the next day.

Today, my new manager gave my tasks in the morning, and before the day ends, he asks me if I have some feedback. To his surprise (and mine as well!) I have done all the tasks he had asked me except one because the person I was calling did not pickup his phone the whole day!

The time management materials have helped me manage my time in the office. Using the tips in the materials you have sent me, things have really improved."

Many thanks
Margaret Medina
Executive Assistant
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

"I purchased Effective Admin VIP because it seemed like a good source of material all in one location. The information is very helpful with lots of good tips. I printed it and put it in a binder for future reference. As I get the newsletters, I add those as well. I have purchased many of the books recommended and now have a wealth of information.

Executive Assistants often feel that nobody understands their isolation. We work closely with Executives and are privy to so much confidential information, yet we are not members of the Executive. Knowing as much as we do also means we cannot join in the conversations with other administrative staff as we are often asked to reveal things we cannot. I also must remain loyal to the Company while others discuss their frustrations.

Your publications and suggested readings have helped me to understand that this is all part of the job and that feeling this way is normal. If I did not feel this way, I would not be doing my job properly! I have learned to put things into perspective and I now feel like I am a part of a large organization of professionals all with the same concerns."

Barbara Tait Persaud
Executive Assistant to the Department Head
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Canada

"I just want to thank you so very much for such an incredible publication....Because of your publication, I was able to land the job of my dreams. At almost 50 years of age, I was extremely nervous to even attempt the job search process, thinking that "at my age, who is going to hire me?" I was stuck in a very dead end job for 5 years and only stayed because of the great benefits and salary. Because the agency I worked for was funded by the state, as the state budget kept getting cut, so did my salary, hours, and benefits.

I had not been in the legal field for over eight years and did not think there was any way possible I would be able to do so again. I knew that is really where I wanted to be, so I followed your resume writing tips, job search ideas, etc. and here I am --- an administrative assistant to 2 partners. Every day I walk in the door I am treated like gold! This is not just a "job" for me, but a career where I truly look forward to being each and every day.

Have a great day and once again, thank you so much for helping to change my life in such a positive direction."

Sherry Lynn Adam
Administrative Assistant

"I finally found time this morning to wrap up some training I've been doing and to read the latest edition of The Effective Admin Newsletter. This is the first newsletter I have received and I was VERY impressed with both the content and the layout. What was more impressing was how after reading this I could immediately put several items to use. Thank you so much for creating and publishing such a great newsletter!"
 
Michele Ritchie
Executive Administrative Assistant

"I just recently purchased the VIP Effective Admin Professional package. I have only managed to read the second newsletter but wanted to congratulate you on providing excellent worthwhile information to the admin professionals of the world. I am currently a full-time mother to my little one but will be going back to EA work part time next year. My learnings from the VIP Package plus the two business admin courses I am currently completing by correspondence, will certainly negate the time out of the workforce when I present myself as a star candidate at interviews.

I look forward to reading the rest of the package over time and see it as a valuable resource for my return to work."
 

Kind Regards,
Bianca Szabo
Melbourne, Australia

"Just wanted you to know that I really enjoy your website and your publications for Executive and Administrative Assistants. Keep ‘em coming!"

Thanks,
Julie Berthelote
Executive Assistant
Seattle, Washington

"I find the information on your site very helpful and share a lot of the information with the other admins. Keep up the good work. This is a great resource for information. Very helpful."

Thanks,
Linda Oliver
Sr. Administrative Assistant
Santa Clara, California

“I just wanted to send you a little note to say ‘thank you’ for doing such a fantastic job with the Effective Admin. I always look forward to reading up on your articles, tips, etc. Thanks again – and keep up the great work!"

Take care,
Richard L. Adams
Staff Assistant
Towson, Maryland

Best Regards,
Tammy Sparkman
Administration Manager; and
District Secretary/Treasurer
Spirit Lake, Idaho

FREE ARTICLE INDEX:

Articles for Administrative Assistants,

Executive Assistants and All Administrative Professionals

♦What is a Successful Administrative Professional?

Here are five ways you might define success as an administrative assistant or executive assistant.

♦ Should Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants Pursue More Education?

Read a few thoughts from The Effective Admin on continuous learning for administrative assistants, executive assistants and administrative professionals of all levels.

♦ Admin Pro Coach Q&A:

The Admin Pro Coach addresses the following questions in this section.

Question: What do the best administrative professionals have in common?

Question: Do you need to be an extrovert in personality to achieve on the job and career success as an administrative professional (versus an introvert)?

Question: Can I be successful as an administrative professional by just working hard at my desk (nose to the grindstone as the old adage goes)?

Question: Can I be a successful administrative professional by learning as I go on the job?

♦ Goal Setting for Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants

The Admin Pro Coach advises administrative assistants about what it means when your manager asks you to set goals in the workplace.

♦ Busting Myths: False Excuses Some Admins Make to Justify Not Participating in Professional Development, Skills and Competencies Training, and Continuing Education Why don't you participate in paid professional development, training, and continuing education related to your administrative professional job and career? I'm busting you and those excuses in this article.

♦ The Irreplaceable Administrative Professional

Learn what can set you apart from your admin pro colleagues.

♦ Is the Green Monster Blocking Your Workplace Satisfaction and Success  Read this article so you don't get caught by the green monster and unintentionally sabotage your own career success and satisfaction as an administrative professional (or just stress yourself out over what's not really important at work).

♦ E-mail Management, Especially for Administrative Professionals

E-mail communication is a tool that all administrative assistants and executive assistants must master.

♦Executive Assistant vs Office Manager (job description)

I’m an executive assistant who would like to take my career one step further. The next level appears to be office manager. Can you tell me what is the difference between an executive assistant and an office manager?

♦College Degrees for Executive Assistants and Administrative Assistants, or Not

How important is a college degree these days to attaining a position and making a career in the administrative support profession? Please elaborate on why it is or isn’t important.

♦Skills Assessment Testing During Administrative Assistant Job Interviews

I have a few questions related to skills assessments:
♦Why do employers conduct these tests during job interviews?
♦ How can I prepare?
♦ If I get called back after an interview to take a skills assessment, is this considered a good sign?
♦ How much will my results affect my chances of getting the job?

♦Admin Working for a Manager Versus Working for an Executive

I’ve been an administrative assistant for several years and I am considering applying for an executive assistant position that recently opened up at my company. What are the differences between working for a mid-level manager and an executive, and how would that affect my duties?

♦Administrative Professionals Week and Day

♦Administrative Professionals Day

♦Administrative Assistant Day

♦Who Are Administrative Professionals

Other Resources:

♦Admin Jobs -- Get an Administrative Assistant Job

♦Admin Job Descriptions -- Administrative Assistant Job Descriptions

♦Admin Job Titles -- Administrative Professional Job Titles

♦Advice for Admins by OfficeTeam

♦Books for Admins, Administrative Professionals, Administrative Assistants, Executive Assistants

Site Map P1 Site Map P2 Site Map P3 Site Map P4 

You are at the home of The Effective Admin, operator and founder of the association, store, website and newsletter for administrative assistants, executive assistants and all administrative support professionals. Administrative assistants and executive assistants from around the world come here for training and advice to manage and improve their performance on the job. The Effective Admin store sells self-study resources for administrative assistant training and executive assistant training on topics administrative professionals use today on the job and in their careers. These resources will help administrative professionals who want to do a better job, to do a more efficient job and/or to manage, or advance, in their administrative assistant and executive assistant careers.

[ Newsletter ] [ Special Reports ] [ Goal Setting Guide ] [ Minute Taking Guide ] [ Tips for Exec. of Admin ] [ Admin Association ] [ Admin Pro Group Forum ] [ The Effective Admin Blog ] [ Tips & Training ]