Quintessential Careers Blog

Here are five simple moves that can help you land a position as an administrative assistant for a great company. No matter what kind of role you’re looking for, these guidelines can move you towards your goals.

Administrative assistants are the hardworking professionals who support executives or teams as they navigate the business of the day. These are the workers (sometimes called “admins”) who keep others on schedule, on budget, on time, connected, and ready for anything. They clear away obstacles, plan travel and accommodations, represent and introduce their employers, provide reminders, interface with customers, manage databases, and often help their employers leverage the communication technology that exists at the cutting edge of any business. So as you search for an administrative job, keep these tips and simple guidelines in mind.

Demonstrate your multitasking skills.

Depending on the size of the business, admins can wear many hats. If you work for a huge company, you may spend the entire day doing nothing but answering and routing phone calls (which can require more training than you might imagine.) For a smaller company, a single day might include a variety of tasks from processing invoices to helping customers to filing reports. Use your resume and your interview to demonstrate that you’re ready for anything, and you can handle more than one responsibility at once.

Cast your job search net wide.

You found an open admin position that looks great! But…darn…it’s for an engineering firm, and you only have experience with consumer electronics companies. Before you move on, think twice. Sell your skills wherever they’re needed, which may mean reaching out across multiple industries. Your work will (and should) be valued, no matter what your company produces or does.

Pitch your technology savvy.

Some companies hire admins to support big teams or departments. But if you’re working for one person, that person may be a senior executive who hasn’t had the time to stay on top of technological advances and smartphone apps. They may struggle to navigate the company’s accounting software, use a shared file folder, or even send a text. Enter: you. With you on the team, there’s no frozen screen, bewildering menu, multi-media presentation, or conference call software that your employer can’t handle. Present yourself a reassuring guide through the (sometimes scary) intersection between technology and business.

Leverage testimonials.

When a company hires an administrative assistant, they aren’t looking for a proficient robot. They want someone who’s pleasant to work with. They’re looking for a person who brightens up the office and stays cool and friendly, even under pressure. And they want a human being who can use common sense to solve problems and interpret confusing instructions. The best way to prove that you have these qualities is by gathering strong testimonials and positive recommendations from other human beings. Choose your references carefully, but be bold in using them in your job search.

Use your job search to suggest what you’ll be like as an employee.

When you submit a resume, follow up. Then follow up again if you haven’t heard back. Be persistent and polite. When you appear for an interview, dress neatly. When you interact with your interviewer, treat them the way you would treat a valued customer. Speak clearly and confidently. Be pleasant and decisive. Provide a presence so trustworthy and reassuring that your interviewers feel a little lost when you step out of the room (make that your goal!). In short, demonstrate what it might be like to work with you. After you shake hands and say goodbye, immediately mail your interviewer a thoughtful thank you note. Details matter.

For more on how to create a polished, effective administrative resume, explore the tools and resources at LiveCareer.

The post 5 Ways to Land the Perfect Admin Job appeared first on LiveCareer Blog.