What Makes a Great Administrative Professional?

Siara Coad (SC) and Nicole Budnik (NB) are experienced Aston Carter recruiters who have helped many administrative professionals find work and progress in their careers. In this Q&A, they highlight the value administrative professionals bring to companies, the skills required to be a great administrative professional and advice for administrative professionals looking to grow in their careers.

How do administrative professionals contribute to the success of companies?

NB: They ensure the smooth functioning of day-to-day operations, manage schedules efficiently, and handle tasks that support overall productivity. By maintaining clear communication within the organization, they help coordinate between different departments. Their organizational skills bring structure to the workplace, while their support allows teams to focus on their core responsibilities. They often act as the face of the company, providing excellent customer service and representing the organization positively. Through problem-solving, organization and confidentiality, administrative professionals play a crucial role in enhancing operational efficiency and contributing to the overall success of a company.

SC: With technology taking over more manual administrative tasks, administrative professionals are supporting higher-level business goals like facilitating communication, building a strong company culture and improving business efficiency. They are the glue that holds departments together and ensures they work efficiently. They create a cohesive workflow and facilitate smooth communication between various departments and levels of employees.

What are the top skills administrative professionals need to have?

SC: The first would be organizational skills. Many companies look for individuals who can handle several tasks and responsibilities, and in order to do that you must maintain a certain level of organization. The second would be interpersonal skills. Administrative professionals communicate and work with all different types of people and must be able to effectively interact and communicate with those people. The last skill would be problem solving. Most companies look for individuals who are critical thinkers and can problem solve on their own. They look for someone who is willing to do the research and go above and beyond in order to get the job done.

NB: Administrative professionals must have excellent time management skills. They have to prioritize work while juggling multiple tasks and deadlines. They must also maintain attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and thoroughness in all tasks. There are also times when admins may be assigned sensitive tasks or have access to sensitive information, so it is imperative that they have the ability to handle this information with discretion and professionalism. Lastly, admins should be tech savvy. They need to be proficient in various software and tools in order to perform their job most effectively.

Do you have advice for administrative professionals looking to grow in their careers?

NB: Focus on continuous learning. Stay up to date with industry trends, read self-help books and enhance your skills through courses, workshops and certifications to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving environment. Networking and relationship building are also important. Build a strong professional network within and outside of your organization. Strong relationships can provide support and guidance throughout your career journey.

Taking initiative can help you get noticed and grow your skills. Identify areas where you can add value and suggest improvements and take the initiative to implement them. Mentoring junior staff, leading projects, or taking on supervisory roles when possible, can help develop leadership skills. I also recommend regularly asking for feedback from supervisors and peers to identify additional areas for improvement.

SC: If you want to stand out you have to truly invest in your career. Take trainings to advance your skills. Go above and beyond to network with all levels of management and build relationships. Expand your software skills, specifically software pertinent to the industry you work in. New and evolving technologies have made digital upskilling increasingly important for admins. Companies look for and appreciate employees who go the extra mile and want to learn. Also, don’t be afraid to challenge the norm. Make your life or someone else's easier by finding better ways to do things.

What advice would you add and what has helped you standout and progress as an administrative professional? 💬 👇