Career Details
Career Details
Use this dropdown to update your zip code
Back to top

Career Details

43-6014.00 - Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive


Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.


Key Facts
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Bright Outlook
1
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
2,457,000
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
2,521,100
Estimate
Change in Employment
+64,000
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+2.6%
Estimate
Tasks
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.
  • Greet visitors or callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the appropriate persons according to their needs.
  • Locate and attach appropriate files to incoming correspondence requiring replies.
  • Open, read, route, and distribute incoming mail or other materials and answer routine letters.
  • Complete forms in accordance with company procedures.
  • Make copies of correspondence or other printed material.
  • Review work done by others to check for correct spelling and grammar, ensure that company format policies are followed, and recommend revisions.
  • Learn to operate new office technologies as they are developed and implemented.
  • Maintain scheduling and event calendars.
  • Schedule and confirm appointments for clients, customers, or supervisors.
  • Order and dispense supplies.
  • Conduct searches to find needed information, using such sources as the Internet.
  • Operate electronic mail systems and coordinate the flow of information, internally or with other organizations.
  • Use computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing.
  • Create, maintain, and enter information into databases.
  • Set up and manage paper or electronic filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents, such as attendance records, correspondence, or other material.
  • Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions.
  • Compose, type, and distribute meeting notes, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports.
  • Train and assist staff with computer usage.
  • Prepare conference or event materials, such as flyers or invitations.
Supplemental
  • Manage projects or contribute to committee or team work.
  • Mail newsletters, promotional material, or other information.
  • Provide services to customers, such as order placement or account information.
  • Prepare and mail checks.
  • Establish work procedures or schedules and keep track of the daily work of clerical staff.
  • Take dictation in shorthand or by machine and transcribe information.
  • Arrange conference, meeting, or travel reservations for office personnel.
  • Supervise other clerical staff and provide training and orientation to new staff.
  • Perform payroll functions, such as maintaining timekeeping information and processing and submitting payroll.
  • Collect and deposit money into accounts, disburse funds from cash accounts to pay bills or invoices, keep records of collections and disbursements, and ensure accounts are balanced.
  • Coordinate conferences, meetings, or special events, such as luncheons or graduation ceremonies.
  • Develop or maintain internal or external company Web sites.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Clerical
  • 90%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 English Language
  • 86%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 77%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 75%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Administration and Management
  • 69%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Mathematics
  • 58%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Communications and Media
  • 55%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Economics and Accounting
  • 55%
    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
 Personnel and Human Resources
  • 55%
    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 54%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Education and Training
  • 51%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computer data input devices
  • Data input scanners
  • Handheld computers
  • Scanners
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
 Cameras
  • Digital cameras
 Duplicating machines
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Photocopiers
  • Photocopying equipment
 Personal communication devices
  • Mobile phones
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Pagers
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content authoring and editing software
  • 3M Post-it App
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative CloudHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Systems Adobe IllustratorHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesignHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Apple Keynote
  • Appointment scheduling software
  • Desktop publishing software
  • Evernote
  • FacebookHOT
  • Google DocsHOT
  • Google Sites
  • Google Slides
  • LinkedInHOT
  • Loom
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft OneNote
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft VisioHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Presentation software
  • SmugMug FlickrHOT
  • Social media sitesHOT
  • Spreadsheet software
  • YouTubeHOT
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
  • Atlassian JIRAHOT
  • Dropbox
  • Filing system software
 Business function specific software
  • ADP Workforce NowHOT
  • ConfluenceHOT
  • Google DriveHOT
  • Human resource management software HRMS
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Microsoft SharePointHOT
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementHOT
  • Oracle TaleoHOT
  • Slack
 Data management and query software
  • Airtable
  • Apache CassandraHOT
  • Apache HadoopHOT
  • Apache HiveHOT
  • Apache HTTP ServerHOT
  • Apache PigHOT
  • Apache SolrHOT
  • Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
  • Blackboard software
  • CA Erwin Data Modeler
  • Customer information control system CICS
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • Data warehouse software
  • FileMaker Pro
  • IBM Cognos ImpromptuHOT
  • LexisNexis
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Microsoft SQL ServerHOT
  • MicroStrategyHOT
  • Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise EditionHOT
  • Oracle softwareHOT
  • Qlik Tech QlikViewHOT
  • Salesforce softwareHOT
  • SAP Crystal ReportsHOT
  • Teradata DatabaseHOT
  • YardiHOT
 Development software
  • Apache TomcatHOT
  • DrupalHOT
  • Hypertext markup language HTMLHOT
  • IBM InfoSphere DataStage
  • IBM WebSphereHOT
  • Microsoft Active Server Pages ASPHOT
 Operating environment software
  • Apple macOSHOT
  • Handheld computer device software
  • LinuxHOT
  • Microsoft WindowsHOT
  • Oracle SolarisHOT
  • Palm OSHOT
 Information exchange software
  • Cisco Systems Webex
  • FaceTime
  • Google Meet
  • GroupMe
  • IBM NotesHOT
  • Intrado SchoolMessenger
  • LogMeIn GoToMeeting
  • LogMeIn GoToWebinar
  • Microsoft ExchangeHOT
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
  • Web conferencing software
  • Zoom
 Network applications software
  • ClassDojo
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Skype
  • Web browser software
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Delphi Technology
  • Fund accounting software
  • IBM Maximo Asset ManagementHOT
  • Intuit QuickBooksHOT
  • Microsoft DynamicsHOT
  • Microsoft Dynamics GPHOT
  • Microsoft Dynamics SLHOT
  • NetSuite ERPHOT
  • Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
  • Oracle Fusion ApplicationsHOT
  • Oracle HyperionHOT
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOneHOT
  • Oracle PeopleSoftHOT
  • Oracle PeopleSoft FinancialsHOT
  • people@workHOT
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • SAPHOT
  • SAP Business ObjectsHOT
  • Tax software
  • Timekeeping software
 Utility and device driver software
  • Dictation software
  • Veritas NetBackup
 System management software
  • IBM Power Systems software
 Industry specific software
  • IBM SPSS StatisticsHOT
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • MinitabHOT
  • SASHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Unknown
 Product/Equipment
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Southside Virginia Community College
Virginia Peninsula Community College
Wytheville Community College