Temporary Administrative Assistant Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How do I list a temporary job on my CV.. Is this okay? Feb – July 04 Ministry of Defence Administrative Assistant, temporary position through Josephine Sammons Ltd, London Duties included: • Answering and making telephone calls etc etc etc.... I did say etc etc etc ;) lol... yeah I just wanted to know how to lay it out... thanks everyone. Well I did not want to list all the duties here. That is why I said "etc".

Answer: Feb 04 - Jul 04 Josephine Sammons Ltd for Ministry of Defence Administrative Assistant - Temporary Contract I would then state your "responsibilities" rather than "duties" as responsibilities suggests you took ownership for the work you were doing there. Qualify some of what you did, for example : - Answering calls with high degree of efficiency and confidentiality Chose the key elements of your role and list as above. Best of luck.

Question: How is the best way to inform my employer about my pregnancy? I temporary Administrative Assistant / Secretary who have worked for the same client for almost a year ( since 08/08). I really like my job but I'm concern about the fact that I'm pregnant and i don't have a "permanent" position with the company. The company is going to a difficult time and had a series of layoff back in December. So far there is no additional layoffs in the horizon but I'm still worried. Any suggestions?

Answer: My company went through the same thing a few months back (layoffs and such) and I was nervous as well. But there are laws that protect pregnant women from being discriminated against. I just had a private meeting with my immediate superior and told her the news. I let her know that I plan on working all the way up until my due date (because I kinda have to, I don't have short term disability so all of my leave will be unpaid) and then I will be back to work 6 weeks after the birth of my daughter. I was honest about certain changes I expect to take place...for example, my schedule might need rearranged after the baby comes. I didn't want to press that on her at the last minute and I figured my chances of getting what I want are greater the sooner I inform her of my wishes.

Question: I need to create a resume for an Administrative Assistant position, do you know who I could network with? As of 18 August 2006, my temporary employment of six months at the Veterans Medical Center came to an end. The Administrative Assistant position was not a federal position; instead, I was discharged from the hospital, also, I was schedule to see a Social Worker who, in turn, referred me to a Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program at the hospital. I need to create a resume for an Administrative Assistant position; my doctor limited me to this type of work . Because of the x-ray test & the MRI; the hospital images revealed; I had what's known as a "Degenerative Disc Disease; Arthritis in both of my knees; and space decrease in my Left Knee. However, I don't feel I'm as worst off, as others who may sincerely need Social Security Disability/Social Security. In conclusion, I prefer employment until I'm no longer able to work; this is why I need to network with a company, on the internet, that specializes in Resumes' to be sure I submit my resume, properly. Thank you, cjr

Answer: I would suggest you take some professional help (for FREE) from MS word which has inbuilt resume templates for making your resume. You can also follow the step-by-step instruction to make your free resume, using the resume builder provided with MS office. Resume styles differ according to profession, and sources of sample resumes are available in my profile, check my profile for more details, all the best :)

Question: Hi my name is Nicole and I need information step by step on how to start my own temporary staffing agency.? I am executive administrative assistant and my boss wants me to have the necessary information and he wants me to be started on this project by the end of the week. HELP!

Answer: It depends upon what State (if you are in the US) that you live in. You need to check your local labor laws . . . you also need to check with a CPA (which your "boss" should already have) to check into the tax consequences.

Question: I have limited work experience, how do I convince an interviewer to employ me? Tomorrow I am going for a job interview for a receptionist position. The person I spoke to on the phone had some concerns over my lack of work experience. In the first half of last year I completed a Certificate III in Business Administration. Not only did I get a Distinction for it, but I got an Outstanding Achievement Award. For six months after that I unsuccessfully looked for work. At the start of this year I had five weeks temporary assignment as an administrative assistant. That finished in February. I haven't found work since. My time as an administrative assistant is pretty much the only work experience I have ever had. I was a part time telemarketer for 9 days in 2005, but that is all. I spent the whole of 2005 looking for work. I feel I would be able to do the job, even excel at it, but how do I convince the employer of this? Also, why haven't I been able to find work yet, when I did so well in my course?

Answer: Focus on your skills, not the brevity of your experience. Let the employer know that you DO know how to use the phones/copier/computer programs/etc, and offer any certifications you may have (Brainbench offers certification for lots of programs). Mention your awards. Ask the employer to run through sample situations with you to see how you would handle them. Never mention that you "need" or "deserve" this job or this chance - that's your business, and not the employer's. Focus on how you can fulfill THEIR needs, not on how they can fulfill yours.

Question: It's my first interview with a temporary work agency. What should I expect and be prepared for this interview I'm seeking an administrative assistant position in New Orleans

Answer: Don't expect a lot. It will be a basic interview where they ask you questions about your experience, your work interests, etc. Their purpose is to make sure that you are suited to the position you are being considered for. Not overqualified, underqualified, etc. You will also have a chance to find out more about the employer, and make sure that they are what you are looking for. Find out pay scale, how long the contracts are for, etc. Good Luck!

Question: My boss is getting complaints about me, what should I do? My boss at work tells me he is getting complaints about me I am working a miserable job as a temp for the foreseeable future. Or at least until they fire me. I was called into the bosses office today and here is a summary of the conversation: BOSS: I just wanted to know I have been talking to some of the people in the office and many of the people are not happy with the customer service you are providing them. ME: I am committed to doing a good job so I would like to sit down and talk to the people who are complaining about me and find out what their concerns are, so I can do a better job next time. BOSS: I am sorry but that is not possible because they came to me in confidence. I promised them that I would not tell you who they were. ME: Then could you tell me what I did wrong so I can do a better job next time. BOSS: Sorry, I can not get into details because that way you would find out who is complaining about you. ME: Then I can not improve because I do not know what I am doing wrong. BOSS: (just before he leaves the room) Just clean up your act and do a better job in customer service. ========================= I am working as a temporary Administrative Assistant and am now demotivated. How can the boss not tell me what I am doing wrong unless he lets me know who is complaining about me behind my back. (He wants people to be able to come to him in confidence but the final result is management by gossip.) The agency just said do your best and they will try to find something for me if I get fired. (Doubtful... because I will have a black mark on my record)

Answer: I'd see if I could schedule a meeting with the boss. Ask for a detailed job description so that you can fulfill your duties to the best of your knowledge and abilities. If he's less than forthcoming and you still want to continue to work for this company, go to human resources. See if you can get an employee handbook and a detailed copy of your job description there.

Question: Should I be a temp or do volunteer work? I am a recent graduate with no work experience and am seeking ways to gain experience - I have two clear opportunities lined up and need to know which the best decision - I have a permanent Volunteer opportunity as an administrative assistant (9-5) and I have temporary offers from a staffing agency - once every week or so - which should I choose - I want to make the right decision - I rather give up the money for the experience right now - so what should I choose - what will look better to my future "permanent employer" wheer I will be working full time and getting paid - help.

Answer: Well from your description i would suggest the full time experience. It dont look m,uch impressive if you work somewhere once a week or so. Also try to find a temp position which is fulltime so you can get padi and have some experience. Good luck!

Question: seeking temporary agencies for people over forty in Wash., DC? I have over twenty years of experience as an administrative assistant and I am proficient in computer use (word perfect, microsoft, excel, power point, etc.)

Answer: I used Addeco about eight years ago, and they were pretty good. Everyone I know that worked for Manpower was happy with them. Try to find one that takes the temp-to-hire thing seriously, so they don't send you to an "army of temps" office when they know you want a stepping stone to a job. (I am from DC, by the way.)

Question: Decrease of Filing clerks, General clerk positions...so what can you do to get emploeyed without experience? 2 years ago the newspaper ads and temporary agencies often had Filing clerk, general Scanning clerk, or things like that. But recently there isn't any of that. I'm guessing cause those responsibilities are now included in higher level positions so that your administrative assistant will do his stuff and also the filing part. I'm just a simple person with filing skills , general office skills and computer skills but i'm no professional at anything, also i have problems with speaking. So if those type of basic jobs are now disappearing in society, what can inexperienced people like me do? I would settle for minimum wage jobs if i could live with that but that's not possible To the 2nd poster: i already know those. I have alot of computing experience. But administrave assistant positions don't fit me cause you have to be all BUBBLY.. and i'm not. i'm the reserved quiet type

Answer: could you take a class at your local high school at adult education to learn how to excel or another program? The more you know, the more likely you'll be to qualify for an administrative asst type job yourself. I don't know where you get the "bubbly" thing from- maybe if you're a receptionist that would help. We have a new admin asst- she's got a quiet personality- amost to the point of being dour- and she's viewed as being professionally aloof. But whatever!!