Administrative assistants work in a wide variety of areas and provide various kinds of administrative support to employees. Based on the work load they could be entrusted to perform tasks for a few or many people within departments as well as cross-department work often required. The duties they carry out vary significantly based on the person they are assisting and when they work for individuals the tasks they perform could be of a personal nature like doing errands or completing the tasks they're assigned.
Most administrative assistants perform secretarial tasks like data entry, accounting and billing, inventory management and record-keeping, correspondence and sales. Therefore, strong typing abilities (including 10-key) and proficiency in Microsoft Office programs are very crucial. They can also interact directly with customers and carry out customer service duties like the duties of receptionists. For jobs that require specialized skills, such as accounting, they might require proof of relevant previous experiences. Certain positions may also require applicants to know specific software based on the requirements that the position.
The ability to communicate effectively is essential for this job for a successful interaction with employees and customers. A minimum graduation from a high school is usually required for this job, however, some employers will prefer applicants with an associate's degree or more. Administrative assistants typically work in offices in the normal business hours however, some work at home.