I’ve been a legal administrative assistant for over ten years. It’s important to set boundaries in this profession. If you are interested in this position, realize you may get stuck. Don’t get comfortable and don’t just put up. If there’s anything else you’d rather be, go for it. Work hard for it. Don’t just settle for this to be your career. I wish I could tell my younger self this, but I’m doing the next best thing. I’m telling you.
@@CP-jk8nm I've actually decided to go back to school and earn a BA in business administration. I'm currently a full-time student as well as a full-time employee. I never realized how close I am to receiving this degree. I'm glad I made the decision to continue growing as a person.
As a professional admin, I would like to offer a word of caution about your advice to find an assistant who "constantly" pulls work and tasks off the boss's plate. That's effective up to a point, but you also have to consider the assistant's existing workload. Ignore that at your peril, because there's a point when everything will come crashing down like a house of cards, or the assistant will experience burnout, which leads to high turnover, and then you have to start the search process all over again... Use the Golden Rule, and be sensitive to your assistant's time demands as well. He or she is a human being first, and your assistant second.
I agree seems like you want to work people to death, make sure you pay your Exec. a ton of money because at the end of the day it's the person that does the most work in any company. A part from that a great video.
I work at a large university, and I support 7 professors and about 15 graduate students. This gets very overwhelming at time, but they still expect for you to jump through fiery hoops like they are the only person that they support. They need us just as much if not more than we need them.
I think the idea here is that they need to be "proactive". He just looks at it from a relieved boss' point of view. :) I have been both a boss and an admin.
Being a person who is trying to become an administrative assistant, I find this video incredibly helpful. I know my weaknesses so I can improve them and what points to really sell about myself! Thank you for the post!
If I had to go through 4 rounds of interviews for an admin position, I'd think the boss was some kind of crazy unbearable slave driver. Sorry. Interviews are a two-way street.
Yes. All excellent but PAY THEM WELL! Lately, the list gets longer and the pay is as if we just came out of high school. Admins. are key in every part of the company. When everyone lies, neglects, cheats the system, it is the admin. who will have your back and call them out.
Encouraging more than 3 or 4 interviews is absurd. People looking for jobs have limited resources. Why would they waste the gas if you can't be more decisive and figure it out with 2-3 interviews. That's also a waste of the employer's time. If they need to meet the team first, make sure you schedule the interview accordingly. Also if you conduct a questionnaire and then a thorough phone interview it may only take one in person interview to select the right candidate. I don't think the methods presented in this video optimize time savings methods. Might need to update the video soon.
well I experienced that that i what companies are doing nowadays and then they saturate to a point where they find a high school student,low pay,long hours ,no benefits Jack Welch formula ,People get burn out
As an admin, this is super helpful and has confirmed a few suspicions I’ve had about what’s gone wrong in past positions. They RUSHED through the process.
Also, to cut through the BS and be real, a huge part of any successful EA's or AA's career is finding ways to flatter the boss's ego - which is generally sizeable. I've been doing this work for decades, and unfortunately I have found this to be true with multiple bosses. It's one of the more distasteful aspects of the job, honestly.
This is great. I have worked in Admin off and on, but usually bomb out in the interviews. It makes sense. I can use this for a job interview to be an administration worker again. And yes, many job interviews/applications I have experienced are rushed and the panel just read questions from a piece of paper and do not smile. Uncomfortable. Admins are invariably undervalued !! Thank you Travis.
This is helpful. Thanks. But the thing is, sometimes being so good at interview does not necessarily mean has really good work ethics or really very good in actual.
+Nimfa Alberto Thanks for the comment and I agree with you. One of the things we do is conduct at least 4 rounds of interviews. Often 5 rounds. We also have a series of about 10 different stages that every applicant must pass through. So...by the time they get through all of that, we have a pretty good idea of what their work ethic and abilities are. It's not perfect but it is the best I've ever seen. ;-)
We need to get paid more. I am fed up of all the work, even working off hours for miserable pay. So I only do what I need until they understand we are underpaid!!
This was very helpful. Not because I'm looking to hire an administrative assistant but because I'm applying for an AA position and seeing this from the other side, gave me more ammunition to help with a potential interview. Thank you very much for taking the time to put this video together
In my experience as an administrative assistant, you have a lot of freedom and flexibility in the office or workspace which is great because you can offer a helping hand to your fellow colleagues. If there are times when you are overwhelmed and your workload has piled up it's your job to communicate to your team members that you are at your maximum workload and explain to them your situation. A good Employer/Management will understand that you are human and not some Robo admin slave. ONE BIG topic the video did NOT cover is that your ability to communicate has to be very proficient and you have to be very resourceful with the communication tools that you have at your disposal.
It's so amazing. At one time - we didn't have videos, blue prints, softwares, 4 step hiring processes, 5 documents to write out and design, credit background check, criminal background check, background checks altogether - it's like NSA standards just to be a C-level's right hand. Makes you wonder what the hell happened in this field for it to be like you're being hired for the Pentagon. However Travis! I appreciate your video and the information provided. This statement certainly isn't towards "You" per se but definitely towards the process that leaves you exhausted but perhaps stronger by the time you get the damn job....or not. *shrugs shoulders* #Willful Appreciate your dedication and energy!
Thank you for sharing the professional qualities for administrative assistant. Not only did I learn "how" to get the position for the job, but for future guidance of owning a business someday! Thank you very much :)
as a new administrative for the CEO in the company i work for I have gotten some great tips from your video to make myself better at my new career choice. Thanks for the tips! I appreciate all 5!!!
I am going through this hiring process and to be 100% honest I like it. It shows me that they are serious about creating an atmosphere of comfort and productive work. If it bothers one then maybe this career field isn't a suitable fit for you. I have been hired in one day and I have been hired in a process that took 2 weeks. Yes it is important to find a job as soon as possible so you can begin learning and making an income but understand that if they do not pick the proper match then they are wasting time that could be used to further their business. I believe the process to be beneficial for both parties.
Being a detail person I can't help but notice your misspellings: complement, not compliment; systems not systums. I was the executive assistant for the A-Team at an acute care hospital for nine years. I love your energy and approachability.
I have what it takes, to become a clerical or administrative assistant is honestly a dream job for me. I've been a bicycle courier for almost 6 years, and I just want to retire from it. I had an internship during my sophomore year of high school, it went pretty well, whoever there were limited duties to attend to during it. It was an experience, I think I am ready for the real thing. My computer skills, typing, wording, strong organization skills, and profoundly strong customer service would make employers automatically hire me! I am applying to many in my area.
I got a bit confused when you were speaking on personality styles. I think you meant "complement" (as in finding someone with a personality style that is complementary to yours) not "compliment" (which is finding an employee that will verbally flatter you about your personality lol). Other than that I found this video very helpful. Thank you :)
Haha - I zeroed in on that too! I'm a stickler for proper grammar and spelling. Sometimes just one letter changes the entire meaning of a word, as in this case. 😉
Okay, so you're already hired, but find your boss is not exactly "prepared" for an EA. He's simply not forthcoming with information and he finds you "too assertive." What do you do?
this is a GREAT question. I say find a time to grab a coffee and tell them help me help you. Find different ways to say the same thing. If you say it to them for a full month and nothing changes, it's time to re-think things.
Very helpful for an administrator to know these are the high priority qualities being looked for by recruiters. I had 3 interviews for a role which I did for 5 years so no problem going through a longer hiring process. In theory, interviews are a two-way street but who's ever turned down a lucrative job because there were aspects they didn't like!! If you're being paid, the employer calls the shots......
I enjoyed your session at RE/MAX RE/CHARGE in Toronto yesterday on building a team. This video complements what you said there about always hiring an admin. person before hiring buyer/seller agents. I'm sharing with a REALTORS Facebook group I manage as the subject of hiring an admin. assistant is often posted about.
+Jenny Kotulak Thanks so much, Jenny! Glad you found both the session and the video helpful for your business. I appreciate you sharing this w/ your group!
I was thinking of becoming an Admin Ass't, so I found your video, about what it takes to be an Admin Ass't. What I like is the diversity of the position. My background is Accounts Receivable, Billing, & Collections, which i like, but I'm looking expand my roll and branch out a little farther.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. You are very energetic, I personally like your way of communicating the message. I will have to interview some persons for the role of executive assistant for my own company today even starting from 10h30 and as I am engineer and used to interview technical people I don't have enough clues on how to choose my EA. I yet chosed one in the past but my choice was bad! Wish me good luck :-) Thanks again Moulay
Great info! As someone who has been in and hired for the admin. position several times, I agree with this information. I would be curious to hear Travis speak further on one point. As stated, executives and assistants complement each other with their differences, but this can also be a source of conflict and tension (as is expressed in some comments below). For example, an assistant needs more details for a project, but the executive feels pestered by the nitty-gritty. Do you have any thoughts on working through this dynamic?
OMG, really. Most "executives" have NO IDEA what administrative work entails or the time needed to pull off a project or make recommendations on systems. Administrative work is NOT one person's job. Emphasis on ASSISTANT. There are tiers and levels of support - if you can only hire someone junior, they are task oriented. If you want a proper EA, get ready to pay and she'll change your life. If details are not your strong point, at least ATTEMPT to build awareness around the work you're asking people to do and try to do some of this yourself. If you follow this bad advice, good luck keeping your staff, you'll never have continuity and loyalty. This Number 5. Pull activities - makes you sound like a total rookie. The words to use are: proactive in systems and process...not Pulling Work, WTH. So tired of everyone and their dog thinking they can be an executive. This is a mid-management nightmare of entitlement. People need to learn to work with EAs and administrative professionals, you don't just dump them with your lack of awareness or skill.
Interesting video, but it kinda makes me laugh because as being an EA myself I do all of that and plus, plus, plus, and I go miles after miles Out of my way to make things happen. Question: 1) Do employers really over pay or appreciate the Ea's or AA's for getting the extras off your plate? 2) how would you show your appreciation to your EA for being such a huge asset to your business? 3) is it possible for your Disc profile to change after a certain amount of years? Thanks!
Gunkapoor makes a valid point with regard to the grammatical solecism. Furthermore, she may not have created an impressive business empire, such as that of the presenter, but she can spell and spot an idiot when she sees one.
The administration is a big part of an organization. The department is critical to the growth and success of the company. Without it, they will be all over the place I tell you.
I've spent way too much time training the wrong people. calculating the time/money loss of a new hire is very enlightening... . and hey a $15/hour admin that just processes paperwork is very different than an office admin or admin assistant for a real estate co or law firm or even a tech or dispatch type job that pays at least double that. some admins (like one of my sisters) does most of the job of a CEO for the CEO. she works with all the depts to make them better and is the right-hand lady of CEO for most decisions and processes... and gets paid more than 100k/year. if you are trying to run a biz, a good admin is crucial.. sometimes even the 1st or 2nd hire a small company makes... that is why most small companies have a family member or long-trusted friend as their admin.
I wish that I had started watching Travis's videos a few years back. Really great stuff his ideas and experiences really mirror what has happened in my Real Estate business with really good advice that from my experience I know its right. Things have been really very good, but if I had seen these videos a couple of years back then iåreally very good , would have been quota busting amazing
I love the comments put on this page. So true everyone. Well done. This guy is unbeleivable if he thinks U will go to 4 rounds of interviews to be an admin assistant........My advise to all the job seekers out there is if U need to upskill and can't afford a course then number of NORMAL and polite trainers can show U some basics for free on RU-vid. The ones I have watched the people R really pleasant to listen to and useful. Unlike this guy they give practical advise as the more skills U have then the easier it will be for everyone.........Good luck everyone.
lol I absolutely understand now why my application was on process for almost 2months haha. and fortunately I got the job for admin support and I am here to get some tips and idea how the system work as an admin support
that was great.... All the teachers say my first hire needs to be an administrator, I feel like I have a difference of opinion, but now I see why... I make the best Administrative assistant. but I cant be right!? cause I'm the agent! go figure. but I'm going to have to let go and hire admin first. thanks for the tips!!! great content!
great video! can you offer any specific advice for developing a higher level of detail focus as well as tips for creating new systems in places where none exist?? thank you!
That One Okay Boss but You need Powerful Point to make Sure Learn Can Understand or not .I mean More Eeffective Point You Have to teach audio & visual methods not only Written on the white board.
Good day i just want to ask if what the school administrative assistant 2 usually do in microsoft excel? what excel formulas usually using in this work? thank you.
thank s this video why i was watching this video only just your face Glad you found both the session and the video helpful for your business and helpful me I find this video incredibly helpful
I have all these qualities, and I will be going to university next year. But my anxiety is taking over because I know I do not excel at math, I have Dyscalucia. Please share some advice.
Actually nice presentation which is helpful for a person to attend an interview, But the unnecessary music (BACKGROUND MUSIC) gives a dirty irritation and headache while watching the presentation.It would have removed from the video which is irrelevant.
I'm in IT industry and I am genuinely interested in becoming an admin assistant (even though they have a lower salary). However I am 32 years old and my question is, I'm I too old for that sort of job? And is this job considered generally a female role?
Of course not Vladimir. Being an administrative assistant has mostly to do with how well you fit in with the team. You are only 32 years old!! You are right that most administrative assistants are female, but in every place where I have worked as an assistant, all of the IT assitants were male. Be happpy, while we females have to dress nicely and also greet and serve international guests, etc., the IT assistants come to work in jeans with holes and old sneakers etc. But also I have seen that some female assistants who fit into the team were given lots of training, most IT assistants have to be at least 70% proficient in the IT field. Study for the interview and BE CONFIDENT!
Could you make a video describing the characteristics of a good businessman? I would like to known what qualities should a person majoring in business should posses.
I am looking to transition into an Admin Assistant career, but before I do I would like to prepare myself. Can you give me or point me in a direction for a good resource on learning the different job duties of an Admin Ass.?
