Climbing the Ladder

How to become a start administrative professional  

As the administrative professional of the office, you’re the go-to person that everyone relies on for some form of support. Although this role can be overwhelming, with the right attitude and skills, you can make yourself stand out.

Stay Organized

In order to be successful, you need to have an organization system to help yourself work effectively and in an efficient manner. Since your day might start with three tasks and end with five, you will need the ability to adjust. How will you cope? Try maintaining a personal calendar – allot time for ongoing projects, daily reports, meetings or training sessions you may have. Although you may need to adjust as the day progresses, allotting time for each task will help you stay on task. To organize all your projects and other miscellaneous responsibilities, create a filing system that not only helps you, but allows others to access the information they need if you’re not available. Keep private files in your desk drawers, but also create an open filing system for items that other staff members may need to minimize workflow disruptions.

External Communication

First impressions mean everything! Since the administrative staff typically answer phones, draft correspondence and greet guests, they are the voice of the office. It’s important to not only interact with clients in a respectful, friendly manner, but also maintain professionalism when writing communications. Also, remember to pay close attention to your spelling and grammar.

Internally

As always, maintain a positive attitude when addressing co-workers and management. Associates will respect someone that speaks to them in a professional manner and will come to them if an issue arises. You want to be able to work well with everyone. When faced with criticism, rather than taking it personally, listen to what’s being said and see if it can help you improve for next time. Focus on listening to what people are saying and see how you can orally communicate effectively.

Independent Worker

An administrative professional position relies on the individual to work independently. With this comes personal accountability – take ownership of your projects and when faced with adversity, make the best of it and see how you can improve for next time. To stand out, focus on your problem-solving and decision-making skills. Take initiative and stay one step ahead of your boss!

Stay Calm

With so much resting on your shoulders, there are bound to be days filled with chaos. Despite the pressure, remaining calm and recovering quickly from setbacks is very important. If the person running the office is overwhelmed, it may be reflected in the co-workers performance. Stay on target and don’t let little disturbances get you off track.

Training Courses

To stay on top of your game, it’s a good idea to get the latest training on current software programs being used or to maintain proficiency in communication. See what training courses are available at your community college or local university. Many times companies will pay for these courses if they will benefit your position.

Are you the star in your office? What did you do to become that person?