Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Perform routine clerical and administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.

Median Annual Wage: $33,240

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (39%); Associate's degree (37%); Some college, no degree (14%)

Projected Growth: Average (8% to 14%)

Related Job Titles: Administrative Assistant; Administrative Specialist; Administrative Secretary; Administrative Associate; Secretary; Office Assistant; Clerk Typist; Administrative Technician; Department Secretary; Staff Assistant

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive.

More Office and Administrative Support Careers

  • Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.
  • Create, maintain, and enter information into databases.
  • Set up and manage paper or electronic filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents, such as attendance records, correspondence, or other material.
  • Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions.
  • Greet visitors or callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the appropriate persons according to their needs.
  • Maintain scheduling and event calendars.
  • Complete forms in accordance with company procedures.
  • Schedule and confirm appointments for clients, customers, or supervisors.
  • Make copies of correspondence or other printed material.
  • Locate and attach appropriate files to incoming correspondence requiring replies.
  • Operate electronic mail systems and coordinate the flow of information, internally or with other organizations.
  • Compose, type, and distribute meeting notes, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports.
  • Open, read, route, and distribute incoming mail or other materials and answer routine letters.
  • Provide services to customers, such as order placement or account information.
  • Review work done by others to check for correct spelling and grammar, ensure that company format policies are followed, and recommend revisions.
  • Conduct searches to find needed information, using such sources as the Internet.
  • Manage projects or contribute to committee or team work.
  • Mail newsletters, promotional material, or other information.
  • Order and dispense supplies.
  • Learn to operate new office technologies as they are developed and implemented.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive.

  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive.

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