Insulate yourself from negativity
If co-workers’ bad attitudes create tension, protect yourself from those office toxins.
Category: Career
Respect for your role begins with you
If you lament others treating you like “just a secretary,” examine how you break the stereotype of one who types, files and fetches coffee.
What’s in an administrative job title?
Imagine holding the title of “senior secretary” or “executive secretary” one day and being called an “administrative assistant” the next—for the same job and pay. That can happen when an organization streamlines support staff job titles. But don’t despair if you feel your title doesn’t reflect the work you do…
Overcome indecision and thrive!
Delaying your decisions exacts a cost in both time and opportunity. Fail to confirm which venue you want for your next event, for example, and suddenly, both are booked. If you agonize over providing your “final answer,” push yourself to act, with these tips:
Test your perfectionist tendencies
Don’t miss opportunities because you’re drowning in minutiae. Test your tolerance for imperfection by whether these statements describe you:
Go from ‘organized’ to ‘efficient’
A tidy workplace should enable you to work faster, but some hide a secret: You may be wasting time, effort and resources on unproductive tasks. Don’t let your drive for neatness and perfection derail your work. Check whether your office is simply organized or efficient, as well, with this list:
Ready to rise to the executive ranks?
If you’re effective and execute work flawlessly with integrity and style, you might want to contact someone like Melba Duncan. Duncan, founder of the Duncan Group, specializes in finding top-notch assistants for top-level executives. Another reason you may need Duncan’s help: “This is one of the most difficult jobs to put on paper,” she says.
Correspondence by the numbers
The wide availability of document templates makes it possible to create a range of business documents without thinking about the proper format. Test your knowledge of the current standards for correspondence with this quiz. 1. On the first page of a business letter, start typing ___. 2. On a standard-size letter, set the side margins […]
5 points to know about your employer
You can own all the skills of a successful admin pro but, if you don’t understand how they fit within the organization, you’re just spinning your wheels. Here are five things you should know about your organization and how they will help you succeed: 1. Key players. Paying attention to the names and faces on […]
Are you aiding an identity thief?
The Federal Trade Commission estimates more than 27 million Americans became victims of identity theft in the past five years. Check your practices against those below to decide whether you’re doing all you should to protect your colleagues, clients—and yourself—from identity theft at work. __ If I must ask clients for personal information, I do […]