All levels of staff are important to the smooth-running of any office, including the administration assistant. This role requires a range of skills in order to complete a variety of clerical duties. Duties depend on the kind of office environment but commonly include taking phone calls, dealing with correspondence and manning the office reception
Excellent communication skills are imperative since assistants’ have contact with all levels of staff, as well as the general public in some cases. Employees working in this role should be comfortable working with office equipment, as well as have competent IT skills. In fact, IT qualifications such as the European Computer Driving License (ECDL) are highly-regarded by some employers
Qualifications demanded by employers depend on responsibilities and company size. However, NVQ diplomas in business and administration are useful, as are BTEC business administration certificates. However, some entry-level positions might not require qualifications at all. Average salaries hover around the £17,000 mark, with higher salaries offered by the retail and accountancy sectors.