Synopses & Reviews
CHAPTER 1
WHY ARE YOU NEEDED?
As an administrative assistant, you are hired to relieve your busy employer of a great deal of work, especially the details of office procedure and other matters that do not require your employer’s personal involvement. You’ll act as a liaison between your boss and the rest of the company. Sometimes you’ll act as a buffer. Depending on the size of the com¬pany, you may also be called on to perform tasks normally outside the secretarial role in sales, banking, billing, payroll, accounting, advertising, public relations, purchasing, and more. Everything you do for your employer must duplicate as closely as possible what he or she would do if not absorbed in work that couldn’t be delegated.
Every businessperson dreams of having the perfect administrative assistant, and every administrative assistant dreams of having the perfect boss. Hopefully, you and your boss will become so well adjusted to each other that you’ll work as a team, each trusting the other to carry part of the load in harmony.
WHAT DO EMPLOYERS WANT?
It’s helpful to know what an employer expects of a “perfect administrative assistant” so that you can present yourself at your best during both the job interview and those criti¬cal first weeks on the job. Here are a few of the most important qualities:
Punctuality. An employer wants an administrative assistant who is consistently punc¬tual and always on hand during office hours. An administrative assistant who contin¬ually arrives even a few minutes late or who is ill frequently can cause havoc in a busy office. The employer knows from experience that such an administrative assistant may not be truly interested in the work. This person will be passed over or terminated in favor of someone with greater respect for the job—an administrative assistant who is always punctual and always there when needed.
Dependability. An employer considers the applicant’s disposition and personality, try¬ing to judge whether he or she is dependable. For example, would the candidate rush home at precisely 5 p.m. despite an office crisis, or would he or she take enough responsibility to volunteer to remain after hours if an emergency arises?
Ability to learn. An employer wants to know the extent of the applicant’s education— not only formal programs and degrees but also self-instruction and single courses. This information indicates the applicant’s willingness and capacity for learning. For example, an employer may hope that you know the specific computer software the company already uses, but he or she may not be too concerned if you aren’t familiar with it if you show the potential to learn quickly.
Willingness to follow instructions. An employer wants a candidate who follows instructions carefully and willingly. Of course, a good administrative assistant soon takes initiative and performs certain tasks differently to save time or improve results. But the administrative assistant who always demands complete control may ultimate¬ly become unwilling to follow instructions, debating or questioning every one of the boss’s directives. Though intelligent input from an administrative assistant is prized, an employer usually prefers not to argue points that he or she has already decided. The employer is concerned with more important matters than explaining all the reasons for pursuing a particular policy. Therefore, the employer looks for an administrative assis¬tant who will execute a decision no matter how many alternatives may seem obvious, or no matter what a former boss did in the same situation. In other words, the employ¬er wants someone whose personality will be an asset rather than a handicap.
Loyalty and confidentiality. Although these qualities are impossible to discover dur¬ing an interview alone, every boss wants his or her administrative assistant to possess them. In an office, there is nothing more unwelcome than the “human sieve” who con¬stantly chatters about every conversation heard, spreads idle rumors like wildfire, and must constantly be screened from confidential projects and information. No matter how efficient, how educated, and how experienced that administrative assistant is, his or her employment will be short-lived.
And something else. A keen employer wants more in a prospective administrative assistant than these general qualifications. During an extended interview, the employ¬er is looking for quick-wittedness, flexibility, commitment to work, a certain quality and level of conversation, and a sense of courtesy. This last attribute is essential in establishing cordial relations with clients and fellow employees.
INTERVIEW TIPS
During your interview, it is wise to be as relaxed as possible despite a natural tendency to be nervous. Appear on time, of course, and be well groomed and neatly dressed; oth¬erwise, the appointment may be canceled at the receptionist’s desk.
If you try too hard to sell yourself, you’ll make a poor impression. Allow the employ¬er to form his or her own first impression. After all, he or she knows what kind of admin¬istrative assistant is needed and, in addition, may prefer to work with a certain type of person. If you’re not what the employer wants, it’s better for both of you that another applicant be chosen.
During an interview, the employer may try to see where your attention is focused, asking such questions as how many sick days you used on your previous jobs and how many outside activities you engage in. Previous sick days can and will be checked, so don’t lie. If you have many outside interests, mention only those that in some way con¬tribute to your job, such as night courses or professional associations. You don’t want to give the impression that you’re “too busy” to work.
If you receive a job offer, the salary may be less than what you think you’re worth. There’s often a discrepancy between what we’d like to make and what we can make. Job applicants fresh from school, in particular, may feel this way until they become more familiar with what the market is actually paying. Before refusing a position on the basis of salary alone, first be sure you know what the salaries are for comparable secretarial and administrative assistant positions in your area and for someone with your education and experience. Then find out whether you’ll be eligible for a raise after a short period of probation. Finally, consider whether the position has opportunities for increased responsibility and advancement. While it may not seem true to you right now as a job applicant, a big salary is rarely more important than professional satisfaction.
YOUR APPRENTICESHIP
Even if you are already well experienced, once you have a new position, you must be prepared to serve an apprenticeship with your new employer. Your past experience may be useful only in that it has taught you to learn quickly and to evaluate new situations. At your new office, there may be a different method for almost every daily procedure, even for distributing and opening the mail. No doubt, there will be a filing system you haven’t used elsewhere. You may be asked to use letter formats, paragraphing, punctua¬tion, and abbreviations that were vetoed by a previous employer.
You may also discover that your new boss has an extensive vocabulary with many words you’ll need to learn, or just the reverse—a poor vocabulary that needs your assis¬tance. Will your new boss wish you to type a letter exactly as dictated, or do you have permission to “add to and take from”? Or will the boss furnish only the essentials of what he or she wishes to convey and request that you put the letter together in proper form yourself?
Your need to be flexible extends to the computer system in the new office. You may find many differences between the hardware and software you used in school or at a past job and what you must use now. Even an updated version of the same software package may have a different user interface and functions. You need to familiarize yourself with the new computer and software, even if it means staying after work to read the manual and to experiment.
Stimulated by your brand new environment and your past experience, you may find yourself coming up with dozens of ideas and suggestions within your first few weeks on the job. When you have a suggestion to offer, remember that it may very well have been made before and rejected for excellent reasons. When one of your ideas is refused, don’t take it personally. Soon, after you’re more familiar with the company and its operations, you’ll be able to make a better suggestion. At the same time, don’t be reluctant to give input freely when the boss asks for it.
A new employee’s overeagerness to offer advice, recommend changes, and carry over methods from old jobs may just disguise a need to be recognized for his or her capa¬bility. In this situation, the best way to prove yourself is to do your best, learn quickly, follow instructions accurately and intelligently, and cooperate with fellow employees. Show consideration for others beyond the call of duty. A little extra giving will cost you absolutely nothing and will bring huge dividends in trust and friendship among your co¬workers and with your employer.
Review
“A handbook full of essential information for administrative assistants and secretaries.” --Reference and Research News
“Provides easy access to a wealth of practical and useful information… comprehensive scope… [a] useful reference tool." --American Reference Books Annual
“An excellent handbook for office reference.” --Bookwatch
Synopsis
Between coordinating meetings, making travel arrangements, and running the phone lines, being a professional administrative assistant requires an astonishing and varied range of skills involving interpersonal communication, written presentations, and organizational ability.
Written in a down-to-earth style, Administrative Assistant’s and Secretary’s Handbook provides readers with information on subjects including record keeping, telephone usage, office machines, mail, business letters, and computer software skills. Now in its third edition, the book has been completely revised with expanded coverage of topics including electronic records management, interpersonal and communication skills, troubleshooting computer problems, time and stress management, customer service, event planning, web conferencing, math for office professionals, office management and supervision, transcription, and much more.
Comprehensive and completely up-to-date, this is the book every administrative professional should own.
Synopsis
From coordinating meetings, to making travel arrangements, to creating a PowerPoint presentation for the next board meeting, to running the phone lines—or doing all of them simultaneously—it’s pretty clear that you don’t have much time to learn how.
Fortunately, here is a definitive resource that can answer all your questions. It’s a one-volume treasure trove of practical and valuable tips for performing countless job responsibilities quickly and well. Now in a thoroughly updated third edition, Administrative Assistant’s and Secretary’s Handbook gives you the information and guidance you need to significantly improve your skills—and enhance your value and career potential at the same time.
You’ll learn how to design and implement more productive daily administrative routines, organize your workspace and schedule for optimum efficiency, and keep yourself comfortable and healthy with a properly adjusted, ergonomically correct workstation and equipment.
In addition, the book keeps you up to speed with rapidly changing business technologies, from e-mail and Web use through networking issues, online data storage, and information security. Written in a down-to-earth style and organized for easy reference, the all-new edition has been completely revised with expanded coverage of topics including electronic records management, interpersonal and communication skills, troubleshooting computer problems, time management, event planning, web conferencing, office management and supervision, transcription, and much more. Software tutorials come complete with illustrations, examples, definitions and other tools to help you master programs completely and quickly.
A truly exceptional administrative professional is hard to find. But becoming one is now easier than ever. This jam-packed volume is the most comprehensive resource you’ll ever find, filled with every piece of on-the-job information you’ll ever need.
Long the go-to resource for the very best and most ambitious office professionals, Administrative Assistant’s and Secretary’s Handbook provides you with the necessary resources to build a foundation for your own career growth, and become more crucial to your boss’s, and your organization’s, success.
James Stroman has served as a private professional secretary, administrative assistant, and executive assistant to a wide range of individuals including an army general, a governor, a university president, and the owner of a National Football League team. He is the author of Secretary’s Manual, and has also written several successful cookbooks. He lives in Dallas, Texas.
Kevin Wilson is is a writer, instructional designer, training consultant and Vice President of Videologies, Inc., a company that specializes in training administrative professionals in Fortune 500 companies. His programs have won numerous awards and have been translated into 12 different languages. He lies in Acworth, Georgia.
Jennifer Wauson is a training consultant, project manager, and President of Videologies, Inc. She has managed multimillion dollar training projects, produced and directed a national television series, and produced award-winning multimedia training programs for companies such as IBM, Sony, Chevron, and Compaq. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Synopsis
Being a professional administrative assistant requires an astonishing and varied range of skills involving interpersonal communication, written presentations, and organizational ability. The most thorough, trusted career guide for administrative professionals, Administrative Assistant’s and Secretary’s Handbook gives you the skills and know-how you need to make your job easier and more rewarding, give your boss peace of mind, and set the stage for a rewarding and lucrative career. Completely updated and written in a down-to-earth style, this all-new third edition provides an overview for new administrative assistants, and offers information on everything from record keeping and telephone usage to office machines, business letters, and computer software skills. Included in the book are a glossary of computer terms and special business and financial information for the small business secretary. The book also provides information and advice on:
mail services and shipping • travel arrangements • meetings • keeping accurate records • computer systems and software • database management • spreadsheet software • the internet & e-mail • data security • keyboarding skills • word processing • desktop publishing • PowerPoint • office ergonomics • legal documents and terms • spelling, grammar and common English usage problems • bookkeeping and accounting • and more!
Whether you’re brushing up your skills, retraining to keep pace with changes in how business gets done, or just starting out on a challenging and rewarding path, this is the comprehensive and completely up-to-date book every administrative professional should own.
Praise for Previous Editions of Administrative Assistant’s and Secretary’s Handbook:
“[A] treasure trove of practical tips, accessible instructions, and invaluable tools for administrative professionals… it doesn’t get much better than this book.”—BookViews.com
“An excellent handbook for office reference.” – Bookwatch
“A handbook full of essential information for administrative assistants and secretaries.”
– Reference and Research News
“Sets the gold standard for professionals who want to please not just their bosses—but themselves.”—The Progressive Woman
“Provides easy access to a wealth of practical and useful information… comprehensive scope… [a] useful reference tool."—American Reference Books Annual
Synopsis
"Being a professional administrative assistant requires an astonishing and varied range of skills involving interpersonal communication, written presentations, and organizational ability. Between coordinating meetings, making travel arrangements, and running the phone lines, administrative professionals are involved in nearly every aspect of the office.
Written in a down-to-earth style, Administrative Assistant's and Secretary's Handbook provides readers with information on subjects including record keeping, telephone usage, office machines, mail, business letters, and computer software skills. Now in its second edition, the book has been completely revised with over 10 new chapters covering topics such as Internet security, netiquette, office ergonomics, and mobile and wireless devices, as well as an enhanced grammar and language section.
Comprehensive and completely up-to-date, this is the book every administrative professional should own."
About the Author
James Stroman (Dallas, TX) has worked as an executive assistant to an army general, a governor, and the owner of an NFL football team.
Kevin Wilson (Acworth, GA) is Vice President of Videologies, Inc., a company that specializes in training administrative professionals in Fortune 500 companies.
Jennifer Wauson (Atlanta, GA) is President of Videologies, Inc.
Table of Contents
"Section One: General Procedures
1. Overview for the New Administrative Assistant
2. Daily Routine
3. Telephone Usage
4. Mail Services and Shipping
5. Travel Arrangement
6. Meetings
7. Keeping Accurate Records
Section Two: Office Equipment and Computers
8. Office Machines
9. Telecommunications Equipment
10. Computer Hardware
11. Computer Software
12. Database Management
13. Computer Networking
14. E-mail
15. Using the Internet
16. Spreadsheet Software
17. Data Security
18. Keyboarding Skills
19. Word Processing
20. Desktop Publishing
21. Multimedia and Presentation Software
22. Office Ergonomics
23. Glossary of Computer Terms
Section Three: Business Documents
24. The Business Letter
25. Other Written Communications
26. Forms of Address
27. Legal Documents and Terms
Section Four: Language Usage
28. Grammar
29. Language Usage and Style
30. Common English Usage Problems
31. Spelling
32. Pronunciation
33. Punctuation
34. Numerals
35. Bookeeping and Accounting
36. Business Taxes
37. Banking
38. Special Business and Financial Information for the Small Business Administrative Assistant
39. Weights and Measures
40. Your Future"