A Boutique Staffing Agency

Traditionally, a secretary was one who supported an executive by helping to manage their schedules, handle visitors and callers, and produce documents and communications.  Many administrative professionals continue to support executives in business and institutions in this manner. However, for most administrative professionals today, much more is expected. With more managers keying their own correspondence and more files being stored electronically, the nature of secretarial work is changing drastically. Managers are doing more clerical work; administrative assistants and secretaries are doing more professional work. Technology and corporate restructuring have created jobs that are more rewarding and more skilled than ever before. In today’s downsized and restructured businesses, everyone is called upon to do more.  Administrative professionals have gladly accepted their share of increased responsibility.  Job descriptions are expanding and new titles are being created, such as administrative coordinator, office administrator, administrative specialist and information manager, to name just a few.

Administrative assistants have moved into training, supervision, desktop publishing, information management and research. They are involved with equipment purchase and maintenance, customer service, project management, public relations and supervision of outside vendors.

According to research by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), most administrative professionals want to remain in their field and advance into higher support positions or become office managers. Many say they are finally receiving recognition for what they do. They are becoming members of the management team.

With businesses operating in a global economy, administrative professionals will have opportunities to interact via e-mail, audio- and video-conferencing, and even face-to-face with customers and associates from around the world.

The winners will be those professionals who master technology, effectively use their interpersonal and communication skills, have the ability to track and organize and be creative in solving problems, and most importantly, have the willingness to learn and grow, and accept challenges. For these administrative professionals, there is a world of opportunity waiting for them!

Source: International Association of Administrative Professionals