A capable administrative assistant can be a game changer for a workplace, freeing up their supervisors’ valuable time to strategizing, vendor and customer relations, research and development, professional development, and talent acquisition. But if you think finding qualified candidates for a shrinking workforce category will be a breeze, consider that 50% of U.S. adults cannot read above a seventh-grade level and that the average American worker’s numeracy skills are even shakier than their literacy skills.
To avoid potentially costly and embarrassing clerical errors, you need administrative personnel who are critical readers, capable of understanding and adhering to complex internal policies, industry standards, and governmental regulations. They also need to possess basic budgeting and computation skills. Whether you’re looking for an entry-level administrative assistant or an executive assistant, you’ll want to emphasize your need for high competency levels in math and written communication in your job post.
You can use the general job description below, adding specific qualifications and unique details about your workplace, to look for these and other essential administrative skills. For more ideas on what to include in your job description, you can look through current job posts for administrative assistants from other employers on Monster’s job board.