Duties Include: Raising the Bar

An Administrative Assistant is defined in many ways. The Association of Administrative Assistants defines an Administrative Assistant as an "assistant to management" who undertakes the day-to-day running of a department or unit. The title may also apply to someone with a complex technical skill and to someone who may be involved in some aspect of the business such as computer programming, accounting, course organization, personnel administration, word processing, training, or marketing." Experience in this field, which spans 30 years, has fine-tuned my personal definition.

As an experienced Administrative Assistant, I prefer to define an additional and different mission statement or objective for my work. Any administrative duty, successfully completed should elevate the value of the Assistant. The number of skills and responsibilities as detailed in any Administrative Assistant job description evidences this fact. It is further established by the graduated rate of salary offered. Salary commensurate with experience is often cited when researching placement in the field of Administrative Assistant.

Unfortunately, it is seldom recognized that the successful completion of administrative assistant duties elevates the value of the Administrator and not just the Administrative Assistant. Historically, subliminally, it is apparent that this fact is accepted but lacks recognition. Furthermore, requiring of this ability is seldom mentioned nor made a part of employment interviews. It is also frequently overlooked in performance reviews.

I was drawn to a study of this aspect of the Administrative Assistant actual job description when I noted a disparaging difference among my own employers.

I have enjoyed a wide and varied career. It has been my privilege to fulfill many temporary assignments as I acquire new skills and hone my ability to adapt to differing management styles. A comfortable number of these people have very nearly fallen over themselves in praise for my performance. However, a significantly noticeable number have not seen one moment of purpose in praise.

My abilities have equaled the tasks at hand and lack of completion was not at issue. The differences could be attributable to personality traits, gregariousness and such, but I became suspicious of an underlying factor. I became curious as to whether the self worth of each employer was playing a significant role.

I had to ask myself, "Was my attention to detail or the value I brought to the task elevating my employer's value within our company as well?" The answer was revelatory. I was seeking appreciation from someone who was not being appreciated and I could directly affect that result. It became apparent that the definition of Administrative Assistant was lacking a significant purpose. I would propose that the definition be refined to include possession of skills related directly and positively towards increasing the employer's marketable value.

Although never stated on my resume as an Objective Statement, it became my mission to elevate the value of my employer through the superior accomplishment of their related administrative tasks. My unwritten objective statement includes "...seeking a position where I might lift my employer's ambition to a higher, nobler way."