How To Become An Administrative Assistant: What It Is and Career Path

Q: How do I become an administrative assistant with no experience?

To become an administrative assistant with no experience, look for an entry-level position that provides on-the-job training. If you are interested in becoming an administrative assistant but do not have any experience - meaning you have no work history or educational credentials beyond a high school diploma - then you have a decent chance of finding a job that will provide on-the-job training.

Q: How hard is it to be an administrative assistant?

It is not very hard to be an administrative assistant. Nearly every job industry requires administrative assistants to keep the business running. Administrative assistants handle much of the background work required to run a business, from filing documents to managing data. You can start working in administrative assistant positions without a college degree.

Q: How long does it take to become an administrative assistant?

It takes two years of experience to become an administrative assistant. Entry-level administrative assistants should have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. However, many positions prefer a minimum of an associate's degree in business, communications, or other similar programs.

Q: Is an administrative assistant a good job?

Yes, being an administrative assistant is a good job. Administrative assistants is ranked #27 in the best business jobs. An administrative assistant works with people, demonstrates a broad range of skills, and has opportunities for advancement.

Q: What are the main duties of an administrative assistant?

Administrative assistants' main duties are 'secretarial duties,' such as accounting, data entry, billing, inventory, record-keeping, correspondence, and sales, so strong typing skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office programs (e.g., Excel, Documents) are very important.

Q: What is the career path for an administrative assistant?

The career path for an administrative assistant involves jobs as an administrative assistant, office administrator, and human resource coordinator. There is an extremely wide variety of career paths that an administrative assistant can take, this all depends on the area they choose to focus on and the industry they work in.

Q: What qualifications do you need to be an admin assistant?

The qualifications you need to be an administrative assistant are knowledge of computers and office equipment, communication, and people skills, time management, and scheduling abilities. Successful administrative assistants thrive on performing a wide range of duties, from basic clerical tasks to specialized jobs in specific industries.

What is an administrative assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Anne McConnell Ph.D.

An administrative assistant provides administrative support to individuals or teams within an organization. They may answer phone calls, schedule appointments, maintain files, manage correspondence, and organize meetings. Administrative assistants often serve as the first point of contact for clients and customers, and they work to ensure smooth day-to-day operations. They must have communication, organizational and time management skills to succeed. Administrative assistants can work in healthcare, education, government, private corporations, and more.

What general advice would you give to an Administrative Assistant?

Anne McConnell Ph.D.

Professor, West Virginia State University

I would say it's important to be very attentive to the way you communicate with your employers, managers, and co-workers. Even sending an e-mail can be an opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism and communication skills. Some people think that no one knows how to write anymore, or how to communicate in a professional way. I don't think that's true. But we don't always think about how our writing can be a tool to communicate our competence and seriousness. If you know how to write and communicate professionally-which college grads do-then make sure to demonstrate that in the workplace.

ScoreAdministrative AssistantUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $34,945

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.0

Growth Rate -8%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.73%

Asian 3.81%

Black or African American 9.15%

Hispanic or Latino 16.03%

Unknown 3.87%

White 66.42%

Gender

female 87.30%

male 12.70%

Age - 52

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 52

Stress Level

6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

4.4

Complexity Level is basic

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

7.6

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Administrative Assistant?

Pros

Opportunities for growth and advancement
Stable job market
Predictable work schedule
Possibility for remote work
Satisfaction from completing tasks efficiently and effectively

Cons

Low pay compared to other roles in the company
Mundane and repetitive tasks
Limited autonomy and decision-making authority
Limited recognition or appreciation for work performed
Potential for being overqualified for the job.

Newest jobs for Administrative Assistant in Columbus, OH

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Key steps to become an administrative assistant

Explore administrative assistant education requirements

Most common administrative assistant degrees

Bachelor's

46.9 %

Associate

24.5 %

High School Diploma

15.6 %

Start to develop specific administrative assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	14.31%
Data Entry	10.89%
PowerPoint	6.25%
Travel Arrangements	5.32%
Database Management	4.95%

Complete relevant administrative assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New administrative assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an administrative assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real administrative assistant resumes.

Gain additional administrative assistant certifications

Administrative assistant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific administrative assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for administrative assistants include Medical Assistant and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

More About Certifications

Research administrative assistant duties and responsibilities

Manage time and attendance using Kronos software for entire department.
Participate in national projects, manage new customer conversions to MCI from other carriers.
Manage FEDEX delivery requirements ensuring compliance with company policy.
Manage and update social media outlets including Facebook and LinkedIn.

Prepare your administrative assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your administrative assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an administrative assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Administrative Assistant Resume templates

Build a professional Administrative Assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Administrative Assistant resume.

Apply for administrative assistant jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an administrative assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Administrative Assistant Job

Angela Jackson

Administrative Assistant

my story started in 2008 when the job I was working ended and moved to Mexico. I took a class through the unemployment office called Professional Office Skills. I then started working at a hospital as a data specialist. The office manager job I am currently at was hiring so I accepted that position and have been there since 2009.

How do administrative assistants rate their job?

4.14/5

Based On 7 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Administrative Assistant reviews

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022

Pros

Writing a message,Organizing receipts and expenses and sending them out when needed

Cons

Failure to comply with working hours, theft and fraud,

3.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020

Pros

It my passion to help people in need. It makes me feel good to see people the Youth do well in the life

Cons

I don't like to see anyone stuck in between and not being helped.

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020

Pros

everything except phones : Meeting,greeting, customer service, interviewing, on boarding, recruiting, presenting, etc.

What is an administrative assistant and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an Administrative Assistant?

What are the pros and cons of being an Administrative Assistant?

Newest jobs for Administrative Assistant in Columbus, OH

Administrative Assistant career paths

Key steps to become an administrative assistant

Explore administrative assistant education requirements

Most common administrative assistant degrees

Start to develop specific administrative assistant skills

Complete relevant administrative assistant training and internships

Gain additional administrative assistant certifications

Research administrative assistant duties and responsibilities

Prepare your administrative assistant resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Administrative Assistant Resume templates

Apply for administrative assistant jobs

How Did You Land Your First Administrative Assistant Job

Average administrative assistant salary

How do administrative assistants rate their job?

Administrative Assistant reviews

Administrative Assistant FAQs

How do I become an administrative assistant with no experience?

How hard is it to be an administrative assistant?

How long does it take to become an administrative assistant?

Is an administrative assistant a good job?

What are the main duties of an administrative assistant?

What is the career path for an administrative assistant?

What qualifications do you need to be an admin assistant?

Search for administrative assistant jobs

Administrative Assistant jobs by state