by Eunice Nisbett

Created on: April 24, 2010

How to be a savvy Administrative Professional

It is that time of the year again when Administrative Professionals get recognised for their multiple contributions to the workplace. How do you make a name for yourself and get the recognition you deserve, all year round, beyond Administrative Professionals Day?

Here are seven tips that will help you stay on top of your career and gain the recognition you deserve as a savvy Administrative Professional:

1. Know your company.  Simple you might say. Yet do you know your organization’s vision? Where does management expect the institution to be in the next two to five years? What are your organization’s mission and objectives and what is your role in accomplishing that mission and in meeting the daily objectives? Why do you do what you do? How do your personal goals relate to organizational goals? Why not obtain a copy of your organization’s vision and mission statement and place them on your desktop, or in a visible position on your desk?

2. Develop a personal development plan. To take care of others we need to take care of ourselves first. This is a good time to take stock of where you are in your career and ask yourself where would you like to be in, let’s say, two to four years. Develop a personal mission statement. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your skills? Are they relevant? Do you need to update your skills to qualify you for your next move either within or outside your organization? Are you abreast of developments in the administrative field? How would you benefit from membership in a professional association? Do you long to establish a virtual business?

Encourage feedback from your executive, colleagues and other valued contacts on your strengths and weaknesses and develop a plan to improve. Set SMART goals for yourself. Remember the acronym SMART: Specific, Measured, Attainable, Reliable and Timed. A good personal development plan will demonstrate careful thought and goal setting.

3. Be the ‘go to’ person in your department. This aspect does require some balancing, so be careful. As an Administrative Professional you may be in the best position to understand the overall operations of your organization or department.

With a wealth of information at your fingertips be willing to assist and share information with others. Such sharing does not have to be face to face, so remain abreast with technological developments and use the appropriate technology.

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