Career Questions and Answers
How do I get my foot in the door in the administrative and clerical field?
Asked by Lady A.
I want to be an administrative assistant but I don't have a degree. I'm wondering if I absolutely need a degree...
A:
Best Answer:
An education and/or experience in the field is your best bet to warrant the position - however you might try sending your resume along with a shoe to a prospective employer and say something along the lines of "Just trying to get my foot in the door" in your cover letter
A:
You might try applying with some temp agencies - that will give you some experience.
Be patient with the temp agencies - they may say your resume sounds great they have just the position - but their main job is to build a bank of resumes to take to the clients. Btw - I did like the sending a shoes with your resume - very clever!
Answered by typewithnospaces
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A degree to be a glorified secretary? Nope, not needed. Register with temp agencies - get referrals from friends on who is good - and build experience that way. Keep in mind, agencies are in the business of proving they can pull in candidates, and aren't worrying about placing every single one so you need to be assertive to get positions. The more flexible you are on when/where you'll work, the better start you'll get.
Answered by Compassionate Chick
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Some will hire without a degree. the best place to start is through a temporary agency. Many companies will ask for temporary and if they work out well, then they have a choice to hire them on into the company.
Answered by brk
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I have worked as an Admin. Asst. for many years and it is not always necessary to have a college degree to get an entry level job, but if you ever want to become an Office Manager or Executive Assistant you may want to think twice about not getting a degree. Having a degree (either a BA or an AA) will definitely give you a leg up in the job market.
I suggest you look into a junior college in your area and start an AA program and look for a part time office job to get some experience under your belt at the same time.
Answered by Delaina77
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You don't absolutely have to have one, although it helps as far as advancement. What you do need to even get your foot in the door is excellent grammar skills, good typing skills, and experience with the software most commonly used in office settings. As others have advised, talk to some temp agencies in your area. They can tell you what employers in your area are looking for, and help you get started.
Answered by lil southern girl
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Absolutely do NOT send a shoe with your resume. That's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard of. That's an easy way of being the story they will tell over and over again, "Oh my god, remember that time that chick sent a friggin' SHOE with her resume...what a nutjob." Very unprofessional but they'll definitely remember you forever.
Lil' Southern Girl has the correct answer and it's *exactly* what I have told you.
Answered by Kellie C
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You don't absolutely need a degree (yet...more and more though companies are requiring one) - what you do need is the skills to match the position. What sort of skills do you possess that would make you marketable as an administrative assistant? I got lucky in that I went to a vocational high school since at the time I had no intention of going on to college. The high school program I was in was executive secretary, allowing me to learn the basic skills needed which have since been improved upon as I got my associates degree in business in December '04 and will have a bachelors degree by the end of 2008.
Answered by Sunidaze
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You need to start at the bottom which is reception. And let me tell you since I'm having a HORRIBLE time hiring one currently (I am an office manager), you NEED a brain to do that job. Do not go into an office looking like you just jumped off a stripper pole or havent showered in 3 days, do not speak like you don't know proper English and never, EVER say things on the phone like 'hold up" or "just a sec". You need to be confident, professional, articulate and overall aggressive. It is not a job for a quiet, mousy person. Brush up on your typing skills and hit a temp agency and see if they can get you into a place, get some temp jobs under your belt and then create a resume. Good luck to you!
Answered by NCW
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well this may sound dishonest...but if you have no experience it will be hard u have to ween your way in...lie a little on you resume, doing customer service or volunteer for some unpaid work experience...that can give u that office support exp. You dont need a degree but it helps, there are also short term programs that u can take to get certificates...Its how bad u want it..if u got the talk and you got the walk then..u have nothing 2 lose...apply for entry level customer svs, call center jobs, and eventualy u wil be on ure way to that Administrative Job. Also , temp agency r a good way 2 get ure foot in the door, take on some short term assingment n various office jobs so u will know what ure gttn n 2. Good Luck
Answered by lynscrystals
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If you don't have the degree not even an Associates, chances are that employers won't give you the time of day. Go back to school and study the Microsoft programs and earn a certificate. After that, register for temp agencies. If you don't know how to use the microsoft programs, then temp agencies won't help. They will test you on these. Good luck
Answered by margaretfong2
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With all due respect to Chick, there really is an organization called Professional Secretaries International among others that do not consider this to be a glorified secretary. Today's secretaries oftentimes are actually admins who do everything from the normal office duties to scheduling the bosses air travel, hotels, car rentals, is the marketing specialist, coffee maker, budgeter, supply handler, researcher, etc. The list is endless.
Many people (yes men are secretaries too) have started out in the "glorified secretary" position only to later become the head of the company.
I would agree that you should start at a temp agency. DO NOT go to the agencies where a fee is collected. Many times the fee is then taken out of your paycheck and given back to you only if you are at the company for at least a year.
Good Luck!
Answered by palmyrafan
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Taking courses part time is always good as it keeps you up-to-date. Employment agencies are usually the best way to get experience.
Answered by elletera
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