From the course: Administrative Professional Foundations

Behind the scenes

From the course: Administrative Professional Foundations

Behind the scenes

- Are you looking for a true job description for an administrative professional? Well as it turns out, there isn't a formal job description. Rather, as an administrative professional, it's your job to support the executive and to make sure that things run well without any hitches. Sometimes I like to call this a duck swimming in the water. Basically, it's your job to ensure that everything is smooth on the surface while all the necessary wheels are being turned underneath you. In other words, you're there to support your executive and to make sure their calendar is up to date. You're the one in charge of ensuring that all the right meetings are booked and that they attend those meetings on time, that they take the necessary phone calls, and that they have all the pertinent information they need to attend a meeting. Your responsible for preparing budget spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, etc. As you can see, the job of an administrative professional is to support the executive in all ways. There are however some basic duties most admins will also have like filing, typing, and answering phone calls. Working as an admin is a prestigious role because you touch every aspect of the business and you work side by side as a team player with your executive working together to accomplish the same goal. One great thing about this role is that it's a position that allows for your growth. For instance, you can start as an entry level junior administrative assistant with the aim of working your way to the level of a senior executive assistant. Keep in mind, each manager works differently. The only way you can get your true job description is by discovering the needs of the executive or manager whom you work with. Although every administrative professional has a generic job description and we know what those basic things are, a true job description is not something you can just type up. It's one that you actually have to sit with your executive to come up with when you start working with them. Understand their needs, how they work, how they operate, how they like things done. Some may want phone calls in the morning. Some may only want to take these calls in the afternoon. Some may want to start work at a certain time while some may want to end at a certain time. Once you get the feel and really start working with your executive, you'll be able to come up with a true job description for yourself. Another important part of this role is that it's one which is never really going to be constantly rewarded. You know that when you do a good job you're thanked, but your main responsibility is to support that executive, make them look good and make sure that they're reflected in a positive light. So the reality is you'll likely be doing a lot of the legwork behind the scenes while the executive is the one in the public eye. However, when you work as a team with your executive, you can share in their successes. Although they may be the ones presenting, you'll know you're the one that worked with that executive. And guess what? They know it as well. So you're going to have to learn every aspect of the business. And with that, you'll grow in that position and realize that you're supporting someone fully and are playing a very vital role. Yes, an admin professional can be a behind the scenes role, but it has a huge impact on your organization. You'll also get to learn all about the industry and it's a great opportunity for your career.

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