If you’re an administrative assistant and are considering looking for a new job, you will want to be up-to-date on the market. The more that you know about the job market before you begin your search, the better prepared and confident you will be in finding a new role and salary that matches your expectations.
We have compiled some information on the current state of affairs for administrative assistants to help you prepare for your job search. In this article, we will cover what every administrative assistant should know about the job market.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Stay updated with the job market trends and changes as an administrative assistant. |
| Understand the skills and qualifications in demand for administrative assistant roles. |
| Research and identify potential career growth opportunities within the job market. |
| Develop a diverse skill set to adapt to evolving job market demands. |
| Network and build professional relationships to enhance job market prospects. |
The Administrative Assistant Job Market Is Strong
The administrative assistant job market is strong. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of admin assistant jobs has grown at more than double the rate of all jobs since 2010.
The rise in employment opportunities for administrative assistants is expected to continue, with a predicted increase of 6% by 2026 (higher than average in comparison to other industries).
Why are admin assistant jobs on such an upswing? It’s because many companies have come to understand that effective administration can improve efficiency and customer service. A good administrative assistant, for example, will be able to use software to stay better organized and communicate more effectively with clients and co-workers.
Businesses are realizing that when they invest in their administrative staff, they’re increasing productivity overall.
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There Are A Lot Of Administrative Assistant Positions
There has never been a better time to be an administrative assistant. No, really: the job market is packed with numerous opportunities for people like you to build a career and earn a comfortable living. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, administrative assistants are in high demand and their numbers are expected to grow by 5% over the next ten years (a faster-than-average rate).
What’s more, administrative assistants can find employment in several different industries everything from office administration to healthcare facilities to corporations that needs administrators who can perform their jobs well. Plus, since so much of what administrators do can be done from anywhere (at least if you have internet access), you can work remotely, which opens up even more possibilities.
Most importantly, as an administrator with a knack for multitasking and keeping things moving along efficiently under pressure, your skills are valued in many different contexts and environments.
The Position Is Expected To Grow In The Years Ahead
If you’re an administrative assistant, don’t worry the job outlook is good. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment in this field should grow faster than average, especially in the healthcare industry where additional assistants will be needed to manage patient records.
In fact, from 2014 to 2024 approximately more than 210,000 new jobs are expected to become available in the healthcare industry for “health information technicians,” a position that includes medical and health services managers and medical records and health information technicians. This growth is largely due to the aging population in our country; as people live longer lives, there will be more paperwork for administrative assistants to manage.
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You Can Work In A Variety Of Industries As An Administrative Assistant
As an administrative assistant, you have several different career paths open to you. While the tasks you’ll perform are likely to be more or less the same regardless of which industry you choose, some jobs are more common than others. Here are a few industries in which administrative assistants tend to be in high demand:
- Office work; This field is exactly what it sounds like office work! As an administrative assistant, your main focus will be on making sure the office runs smoothly, and that means doing everything from answering phones and handling mailings to ordering supplies and managing inventory.
- Healthcare; In this field, your job will include assisting doctors and other health professionals with their paperwork and appointments, as well as helping them keep track of patient records and medical histories. You might also help out with things like prescription refills when needed. Because healthcare can involve a lot of sensitive information about patients’ bodies or finances, this job often requires specialized training in addition to general administrative skills.
- Education; If you want to work for a school or university in an administrative capacity, there are plenty of options available. The specific duties you perform will vary depending on whether you work for a public or private institution as well as how large it is (larger schools tend to have more resources).
Responsibilities may include maintaining student records; helping prepare lesson plans; acting as an intermediary between parents/students/teachers; taking care of things like scheduling meetings/events; coordinating events such as graduations or proms; managing faculty members’ calendars; etc.
In-Demand Skills For Administrative Assistants Can Vary Widely By Industry
Making sure your skills are relevant and up-to-date will help you succeed as an administrative assistant. Because the role of an administrative assistant differs across industries, the skills required to work in that role can vary widely.
For example, if a company is looking for someone to assist them with their IT needs and maintain their computer systems, they may be looking for someone who has experience in programming languages such as HTML or Ruby on Rails, or someone knowledgeable about software such as Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop. In contrast, if a company is looking for help with research projects or client calls, they may be looking for someone who can communicate effectively and maintain strong relationships with others.
To stay competitive in the job market, it’s important to keep your existing skills sharp and continue learning new ones that are relevant to your industry. This will help ensure you stay on top of emerging trends in your field and make you a more attractive candidate when applying for jobs.
You, Will, Have The Flexibility To Work From Remote Locations If You Choose To Do So
While not every job is currently being done remotely, the number of remote jobs has increased in recent years.
That’s a good thing for administrative assistants because it means that more and more people are recognizing that there is no reason to require an administrative assistant to come into an office setting every day. This helps alleviate some of the stress brought on by stressful commutes or demanding schedules, and gives you the freedom to work from home, a coffee shop, or anywhere with an internet connection.
If you’re interested in living abroad but don’t want your career to suffer as a result of such a drastic move, becoming a remote administrative assistant can be your ticket to working from another country (or even state). Or, if you prefer traveling over settling down in one place for too long (ahem, millennials), remote work can allow you to continue working as you travel throughout the world or just work from home as opposed to going into an office every day.
However, working remotely also means that you will have flexibility in terms of your schedule when taking on this type of position. While there may be weekly meetings and deadlines that must be met regularly while working remotely (just like any other job), the odds are good that you will have some control over how your time is spent and which hours of the day/week you can spend free from work-related obligations.
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Administrative Assistants Need To Be Able To Multi-Task
Administrative assistants must be able to multi-task between several assignments, such as answering the phone, greeting visitors, and handling incoming mail. Working in an office environment requires a certain level of computer competency.
There are programs you should know how to use such as MS Word and Excel, Outlook for your email and calendar management, PowerPoint for presentations, and QuickBooks for accounting. Sometimes you are required to use project management software or time tracking software. Additionally, any technical skills that may be specific to the company are required.
Workers in this field need good interpersonal skills because they will be interacting with clients daily. They also need good problem-solving skills as they will often find themselves having to resolve issues with other employees at the company in which they work at.
Administrative Assistants With Some College Experience Tend To Earn More Money Than Those Without
The college experience is not a requirement for the majority of administrative assistant positions, but those with it tend to earn more money than those without it. The college experience can also open doors and help move up in a company, as well as provide opportunities for advancement.
In addition to gaining valuable skills, college courses can help people learn time management and work-life balance skills that are applicable in all areas of life, including work. For administrative assistants who are interested in furthering their education, many community colleges offer two-year degrees that can give students the tools they need to either advance to an associate’s degree or get an entry-level position at another job.
Changing Technology And Hiring Processes Can Impact How You Apply For Admin Assistant Jobs
With the assistance of technology, administrative assistants are being increasingly called upon to use their skills in a broader range of duties. They often wear multiple hats, carrying on traditional tasks (like filing and making travel arrangements) while also supporting more innovative roles such as data management and even website development. Perhaps most important, they contribute knowledge-based work such as research, preparing reports, and analyzing information.
In this context, your resume must be current enough to attract the attention of today’s companies. To do so:
- Make sure you have a strong grasp of programs like Excel and PowerPoint;
- Consider honing your skills in data management or other related fields;
- Be ready to demonstrate your intelligence by highlighting advanced education you’ve received or professional certifications you’ve earned;
- Present an attractive personal brand by creating an appealing profile for yourself on social media platforms like LinkedIn; and
- Start putting yourself out there through networking events or professional groups where you can meet other professionals like yourself who can help guide you towards opportunities in this competitive field.
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Employers Want To Know You Understand The Value Of Communications Technology, Soft Skills, And The Role Of An Administrative Assistant
What employers want to know is that you understand the value of communications technology, soft skills, and the role of an administrative assistant in an ever-changing office environment.
Communications Technology: Employers are looking for candidates who can effectively use technology and have a passion for learning new tools. They want to see your mastery of the technology currently being used in administrative roles, as well as your understanding of how this tech will change over time.
Soft Skills: When it comes to soft skills, there are several qualities that employers look for when screening administrative assistant candidates; they include organizational and time management skills, communication ability (written and verbal), client serviceability, and multi-tasking capacity, and attention to detail.
Employers Like Administrative Assistants Who Can Use Computers
Administrative assistants are perhaps the most computer-literate employees in any office, but their skills can always be broadened. If you’re a typical administrative assistant, you probably spend most of your day using email and a handful of office software packages. But there are many other computer skills you could be learning.
Consider taking online tutorials or investing in an online course to teach yourself how to create animations in Adobe After Effects, design interactive media with HTML5, or use website testing tools like GAIT and Lighthouse. These kinds of skills may not be required for your particular job, but they just might make you more valuable to employers when it comes time for promotions or raises.
You May Face Competition From Both Inside And Outside Your Company
Sometimes, promotion is within reach because there’s an opening in your department. If you’re paying attention to the number of posting for administrative assistant opportunities in your company, you’ll be able to catch onto when that happens and you may face competition from both inside and outside your company.
Finding out about the job market within your organization can be tricky. While certain high-level job postings are easily accessed by employees, others may not be as available unless you happen to have connections with members of the HR department or hiring managers.
It’s also important to recognize that outside candidates are also competing for the job; if another candidate has skills or qualifications that are not part of your skillset, they could easily get selected over you. Remember, even if there’s a new position in your company, it doesn’t mean it will automatically be filled by an internal employee.
The ability to move up within your organization can sometimes come down to whether or not a hiring manager sees how well you fit into their team and their current needs. As much as it’s important to improve the skillset you already have, it’s equally important to know what skills employers find most desirable right now.
When applying for a role at work, consider what’s required for success in that role and become proactive about showcasing those specific strengths during interviews and performance reviews. Take this time to demonstrate just how well-suited you are for this new opportunity especially if there is someone else who could take on this role instead.
Deciding to become a freelance administrative assistant requires careful consideration of your readiness for the role. Evaluate your skills, mindset, and goals with the help of our article on How to Tell If You’re Ready to Be a Freelance Administrative Assistant. Gain clarity and confidence as you embark on this fulfilling career path.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it: info on the current state of affairs for administrative assistants in the world of work. If anything, it’s becoming easier for administrative assistants to find jobs, as remote working has become more common and people are realizing how much they still need help even when they’re not all together in a single office. So if you ever feel like your job is obsolete… don’t worry! You’ve got a bright future ahead of you.
Further Reading
Administrative Assistant Skills on Indeed: Explore this resource on Indeed to gain insights into essential administrative assistant skills and how to highlight them in your resume and cover letter.
Administrative Assistant Skills on Monster: Monster provides valuable information on key skills needed to succeed as an administrative assistant. Discover tips and advice for showcasing your abilities and advancing your career in this comprehensive guide.
Become the Best Administrative Assistant Guide on TravelPerk: Learn how to excel as an administrative assistant with TravelPerk’s guide. From mastering time management to improving communication, this resource offers practical tips to become the best in your role.
People Also Ask
How Much Do Administrative Assistants Make?
The median salary for administrative assistants is around $37,870. However, this can vary widely depending on which industry you work in and the size of your employer. Larger firms are typically able to offer higher salaries than smaller businesses. The highest paying states for this profession tend to be in the northeast and northwest regions of the US, but these jobs also come with a higher cost of living.
Is There A Demand For Administrative Assistants?
Yes! Administrative assistants will continue to be in high demand across most industries. Even as technology improves and automation becomes more widespread, the administrative experience will still be needed to keep things running smoothly. Having said that, it’s important to stay up-to-date on skills like data analysis and more advanced software use to remain relevant in the job market.
What Skills Do Employers Look For In Administrative Assistants?
Having computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Docs is essential for any modern office position, so if you don’t have those under your belt yet, that should be one of your priorities when looking for an admin job.
Other top traits employers are seeking out include time management; great interpersonal communication; attention to detail; self-motivation; strong organizational skills; ability to take initiative and meet deadlines without being prompted; patience/tolerance for repetition; friendliness/approachability/empathy towards coworkers and customers.
How Do I Become An Administrative Assistant?
You’ll need a high school diploma or a GED at minimum, along with an associate’s degree if your employer requires it. If you’re already working in another office position and want to transition into this role, there are training programs available to help with the transition. Many companies may also offer on-the-job training as well.
What Is The Average Salary Of An Administrative Assistant?
The average salary for an entry-level administrative assistant is just over $33k per year but can be more depending on where you work. Administrative assistants working in financial services make around $40k per year on average, while those working in law offices can earn about $43k annually.
What Are The Qualifications For Administrative Assistants?
For most employers, a high school diploma is required along with basic computer skills such as word processing and email. Being able to communicate well both verbally and in writing is also a must since those skills will be used frequently on the job.
Other skills that would be helpful include knowing how to use graphic design software or being bilingual (to communicate with clients). Other qualifications might include having experience working in office settings previously or having knowledge of other languages besides English if your employer does business internationally.
How Do Administrative Assistants Get Hired?
They might find work through a temp agency or on their own by searching classifieds or online job boards. Others pursue professional connections via networking events and LinkedIn. You can also consider taking out an ad in a local newspaper or posting flyers in relevant places around town, such as bulletin boards in office buildings or at the grocery store.
How Do I Become An Administrative Assistant?
There are no specific requirements for becoming an administrative assistant. You may be able to enter the field with only a high school diploma and learn how to perform your job duties through on-the-job training, while others may have completed formal education programs to gain experience and knowledge of office procedures before working as administrative assistants.
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