Current job title: Assistant and Executive Assistant
(to four high level executives)
Industry: wholesale/distribution
Department: Administration/Executive
Years worked in this industry: 15
Years worked in this department: 9
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department):
Organization skills; secretarial skills; good communication skills
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: Three directly, help with
others.
Typical work hours: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m
Weekends or overtime hours: When I do
work overtime (sometimes daily) or on weekends (not very often), I do not
get overtime for it.
General salary range
(Note: This is a general figure or range provided by survey respondent and may
NOT be an exact salary in order to
give survey respondent some privacy. Also you must take into account that
the number of years worked in industry/department may contribute to this
salary as well as criteria such as level of position and person reports
to, required hours and geographical location.): approx. $50,000
Benefits (direct or indirect): Health
Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance; 401 K plus company
retirement fund; Short term disability; Tuition reimbursement.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
A typical day on the job: Arrive at the
office, make coffee, turn on copier machine and office lights, unlock
bosses’ offices; read e-mails – handle requests from those e-mails;
schedule meetings, answer phones; prepare travel arrangements, work on
weekly reports, make administrative decisions when the bosses are gone.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Interaction with people,
fast-paced environment; working in a career where organization is so
important.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Constant changing of schedules
and meetings;
Type of workspace/office:
Open area (outside President/CEO’s office)
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: Calendar scheduling, “Gate
Keeper” of phones and drop-in visitors, scheduling travel arrangements;
Prepare, edit and submit weekly reports; records retention; handling
confidential information
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet/database software and
presentation software
Excellent interpersonal/communications skills. Good grammar and spelling
are essential for preparing correspondence.
Ability to handle multiple priorities, good organizational skills &
ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to handle information in a very confidential manner.
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Computer, multi-line phones, copier, fax, printer
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Know and use Microsoft Office Suite, 10-key touch, typing, speedwriting;
organization skills. Have obtained my CPS (Certified Professional
Secretary) and CAP (Certified Administrative Professional) ratings.
Critical soft skills: Good
communication, both verbal & written; patience & pleasantness;
flexibility; adaptability; not easily flustered
Pace of this position: usually fast
Geographical region: Southeast U.S.
roduced 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."