Administrative assistants contribute to the smooth running of any organization or business. These indispensable personnel perform key administrative and clerical duties. They plan meetings, schedule appointments, keep files organized and facilitate efficient communications between employees, customers and their bosses. Today's administrative assistants must be well versed in networking tools, including PDAs, social networking, computer programs and automated office systems. They must also be well trained in business etiquette.
Underscoring their importance, today's Administrative Assistants are working harder than ever during the current economic downturn. Workloads are up and their roles seem to be growing as companies increasingly downsize their operations to cut overhead.
A recent survey by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) found that out of 3,117 professional members, a full 40 percent saw a fall off in their companies' support staff in the last three years. In addition, almost half of those surveyed noted a rise their workload. There's little doubt among members that Administrative Assistants are taking on more duties and more responsibility, and that their work is becoming more complex. Multitasking seems to be the order of the day in these hard times, and multitalented workers are the one's most prized by today's firms.
I've noticed that this has become a growing trend for administrative jobs, as tasks traditionally relegated to mid-level managers seem to be taken over by highly skilled assistants. Perhaps this is one reason so many low and mid-level managers are standing in unemployment lines. They have priced themselves out of the market. In an unlikely reversal of roles, today's Administrative Assistants are the one's buying software, learning how to use it and training managers. Many assistants are even taking on managerial roles like research, budget analysis, and project management. Further information on the IAAP can be found at www.iaap-hq.org/newsroom/apw.
For more information on administrative careers, visit Administrativejobs.com.
Underscoring their importance, today's Administrative Assistants are working harder than ever during the current economic downturn. Workloads are up and their roles seem to be growing as companies increasingly downsize their operations to cut overhead.
A recent survey by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) found that out of 3,117 professional members, a full 40 percent saw a fall off in their companies' support staff in the last three years. In addition, almost half of those surveyed noted a rise their workload. There's little doubt among members that Administrative Assistants are taking on more duties and more responsibility, and that their work is becoming more complex. Multitasking seems to be the order of the day in these hard times, and multitalented workers are the one's most prized by today's firms.
I've noticed that this has become a growing trend for administrative jobs, as tasks traditionally relegated to mid-level managers seem to be taken over by highly skilled assistants. Perhaps this is one reason so many low and mid-level managers are standing in unemployment lines. They have priced themselves out of the market. In an unlikely reversal of roles, today's Administrative Assistants are the one's buying software, learning how to use it and training managers. Many assistants are even taking on managerial roles like research, budget analysis, and project management. Further information on the IAAP can be found at www.iaap-hq.org/newsroom/apw.
For more information on administrative careers, visit Administrativejobs.com.
By: Alex Kecskes
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.
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