Administrative Assistant Interview Preparation Guide

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.

► Excellent customer service skills
► Assisting with all aspects of administrative management, directory maintenance, logistics, equipment inventory and storage
► Managing inventory of assets and supplies, sourcing for suppliers (vendors) and submitting invoices
► Coordinating between departments and operating units in resolving day-to-day administrative and operational problems
► Scheduling and coordinating meetings, interviews, events and other similar activities
► Research and the identification of key data sources
► Prepare and distribute payroll for staff
► Performing multifaceted general office support
► Preparing meeting minutes, meeting notes and internal support materials.
► Sending and receiving forms for the company
► All day-to-day operation matters
► Sending out and receiving mail and packages
► Preparing business correspondence, typically using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook)
► Data entry using 10-key keypad
► Sending taxes
► Managing files
► Address all employees concerns in accordance with company policies and government regulations.

► Strong work ethic
► Productivity
► Professionalism
► Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
► Technical skills
► Interpersonal skills
► Communication skills
► Customer focus
► Teamwork and collaboration skills

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".

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.

Executive assistants and administrative assistants play an important role in a wide variety of industries, and these professionals are crucial to keeping many offices running smoothly. Responsibilities vary from position to position but often include:
► Managing the day-to-day operations of the office
► Organizing and maintaining files and records, both paper and electronic
► Planning and scheduling meetings and appointments
► Managing projects and conducting research
► Purchasing supplies
► Preparing and editing correspondence, reports, and presentations
► Making travel and guest arrangements
► Planning and coordinating events
► Providing a good first impression of the business

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.

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.

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.