Learn Office 2007 with Ribbon Hero
One of the biggest problems with Office 2007 is that the interface of the programs is very different from previous versions of Office. Tasks you can usually do with your eyes closed have become absurdly hard in 2007 simply because we have to relearn the interface. Once you figure out the interface, you’ll find that [...]
Ask the Admin: Becoming a Virtual Assistant
I received this e-mail from Andrea:
On my personal day off, I’ve been thinking about leaving my cubicle assistant job–where I’m basically working as assistant for a bank via a real-estate holding company–and making it a start-up business for myself. I want to become a virtual admin assistant with an added value of research assistant (so [...]
Ask the Admin – What More Do I Need?
I received this e-mail from Kathy:
I have a AA in Business Administration with a concentration in management, a bookkeeping diploma and a administrative assistant diploma and I still have a hard time getting an administrative assistant job. As for experience I would say i have the bear minimum because of where I live. What do [...]
Mentoring a Young Executive
At some point in your career, you are going to be working for someone who has never had an assistant before. One of the toughest, but most rewarding, jobs an Administrative or Executive Assistant can have is helping a young executive learn how to partner with an assistant.
Understanding the Need to Delegate
In my experience, new [...]
How to Organize the Boss’s E-mail
Often as an administrative assistant (and very frequently as an executive assistant), you’ll have the job of monitoring and organizing your boss’s e-mail. This essentially entails reading through his new mail and either replying on his behalf, delegating the e-mail to one of her direct reports, or organizing e-mail that needs a response directly [...]
How to Sabotage a Great Job
You like your job. You have a good boss, and you’re really good at what you do. Think you can’t or won’t be fired? Think again.
It doesn’t matter how good you are at your job, certain behaviors can and will get you fired. And all of these scenarios are things you bring on yourself.
Gossip
It’s one [...]
How To Really Be on Top of Things as an Administrative Assistant
What’s the chief characteristic of being a great Administrative or Executive Assistant? It’s knowing everything, or at least seeming like you do. The best assistants are those that can aptly handle managing the boss’s calendar, sorting his mail and screening her calls without having to always stop and ask for information or permissions. But how [...]
Managing Calendars Part 2: Scheduling More Than Meetings
In my last post, I talked about using discretion in scheduling meetings. Today, we’ll go into other ways to manage your boss’s calendar to increase his productivity.
Keep the Calendar More Full Than It Looks
Let’s face it. If there’s a blank spot on your boss’s calendar, someone’s going to want to schedule a meeting there. The higher [...]
Managing Calendars: More Ways to Keep the Boss More Productive
Last week we talked about helping the boss be more productive by properly screening calls. This week, let’s explore another way to help the boss be more productive: managing the calendar.
More Than Just Scheduling Meetings
“Managing the calendar,” you’re thinking. “Isn’t that just scheduling the boss’s meetings?” Well, scheduling meetings is just part of what it [...]
Ask the Admin: Writing a Resignation Letter
Regardless of why you’re quitting your job, you always want to leave on a good note. Even if your boss is the worst in the world and has made your life a living hell, remember to always, always, always leave a good impression behind you. You never know when you’ll need a reference or perhaps [...]
