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Secretary/Administrative Assistant

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AVG. SALARY

$38,160

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EDUCATION

High school (GED) +

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JOB OUTLOOK

Decreasing

What They Do

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Career Video

About This Career

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

This career is part of the Business Management and Administration cluster Administrative Services pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Answers telephones and gives information to callers, takes messages, or transfers calls to appropriate individuals.
  • Greets visitors or callers and handles their inquiries or directs them to the appropriate persons according to their needs.
  • Creates, maintains, and enters information into databases.
  • Uses computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing.
  • Operates office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arranges for repairs when equipment malfunctions.
  • Sets up and manages paper or electronic filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents, such as attendance records, correspondence, or other material.
  • Operates electronic mail systems and coordinates the flow of information, internally or with other organizations.
  • Schedules and confirms appointments for clients, customers, or supervisors.
  • Maintains scheduling and event calendars.
  • Composes, types, and distributes meeting notes, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Administrative Technician
  • Department Secretary
  • Office Assistant — Performs a combination of clerical duties requiring limited knowledge of systems or procedures.
  • Staff Assistant
  • Administrative Support Assistant (ASA)
  • Administrative Specialist (Admin Specialist)
  • Administrative Secretary (Admin Secretary)
  • Administrative Clerk

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

Support


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