Thinking Outside the Job Description Box
Professional Assistant Blog
MARCH 20, 2008
Administrative assistants are highly skilled in many areas and sometimes we take it for granted, not recognizing where we could go with our skills.
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Professional Assistant Blog
MARCH 20, 2008
Administrative assistants are highly skilled in many areas and sometimes we take it for granted, not recognizing where we could go with our skills.
Professional Assistant Blog
FEBRUARY 20, 2008
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) report that, “some 10 million American men – fully 7 percent of the male population – either cannot distinguish red from green, or see red and green differently from most people. Sometimes a better way to communicate would be picking up the phone or meeting someone face to face.
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Laughing all the Way to Work
AUGUST 15, 2009
Sometimes I wish I had something to warn me when I am with someone with a cell phone so I can know that we are going to be interrupted. I find it frustrating when people either text while in a conversation or are constantly taking phone calls. Apparently not, when its by phone. In an emergency, the cell phone is a useful tool.
Laughing all the Way to Work
MAY 9, 2010
I breathe a sigh of relief when I get someones assistant on the phone or receive an email from them. Knowing assistants and having a working relationship with them is very important and can make the difference when you need to set up a meeting or if your boss needs to have a quick phone call with their boss. 23, 1 p.m. (for
Laughing all the Way to Work
SEPTEMBER 7, 2009
Coming from a legal background, we were always taught if you are using an acronym or initialism in writing, on the first use you should spell it out and then put the acronym in brackets, which makes a lot of sense and saves a lot of head scratching and searching the document to figure out what the person is referring to. 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
FEBRUARY 8, 2009
I dont mind being referred to as someones assistant. My current boss always refers to me as his colleague, both to those within our company and to external contacts when referring them to me. I tend to use the term boss when I refer to my employer. My all-time favourite however is colleague. 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
APRIL 17, 2010
If you have to answer the phone, deal with an email or attend to something for your boss, do so, as that is the nature of the admin job -- multi-tasking, but once you have done it, go right back to your to-do list, re-focus and continue what you were doing. Having a to-do list can be a life saver. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
JANUARY 10, 2010
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
JULY 29, 2009
With references like these how can I lose? I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. My current boss says we get along like a house on fire. 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
DECEMBER 28, 2009
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
FEBRUARY 28, 2010
CountryCode.org is a comprehensive guide to make phone calls from anywhere to any country in the world. I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
FEBRUARY 7, 2010
They said it works with most phone services. I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
DECEMBER 12, 2008
If you do have to leave, dont forget to ask for a reference letter. My former boss gave me an excellent reference on paper and by phone. A good reference can go a long way towards getting your next job. I read an interesting article on what management can do to prevent lay offs. (for 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
JULY 16, 2010
Check: Are phone calls planned? For each one, write down what you hope to accomplish with the phone call to help you stay focused. It automatically updates when I use an office product, and I can manually enter stop/start times for phone calls, meetings, face to faces, etc. Doing too many things can actually waste time.
Laughing all the Way to Work
MAY 10, 2009
Of course before I recommend anything I try it out so I picked up the phone and it asked me what I was looking for and what city and province. I chose details and was given the street address and phone number and I still had the option of having my call put through to the store number. You can use google to get similar information.
Laughing all the Way to Work
DECEMBER 19, 2009
When I receive an initial request for a meeting, I use a meeting form and write down the information I need: who is requesting the meeting, what is the purpose of the meeting, where it will be held and a phone number or an e-mail address and dates that are available. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
MAY 31, 2009
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
FEBRUARY 22, 2009
Another helpful site I refer to for protocol on addressing officials is www.formsofaddress.info. I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. Thanks Carol.
Laughing all the Way to Work
JULY 9, 2010
Did I phone to get my electricity turned on? I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. Now I am on holidays and preparing for a big move to a new home.
Laughing all the Way to Work
NOVEMBER 22, 2008
An e-mail like the one I received would have been better delivered face to face or by phone in order to get the tone of what the person was trying to communicate. I stop the flow and pick up the phone. It is amazing how quickly a matter can be handled on the phone or in person. Why are we not speaking to each other anymore?
Laughing all the Way to Work
APRIL 22, 2009
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
APRIL 5, 2010
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
MARCH 20, 2010
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
FEBRUARY 27, 2009
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
FEBRUARY 27, 2010
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
FEBRUARY 13, 2010
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
AUGUST 10, 2010
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
JANUARY 23, 2010
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
JANUARY 19, 2009
The cure: always answer the phone professionally - this way youre never caught off-guard. I agree that we should always answer the phone professionally, but if it is a co-worker calling, it seems silly to say "Patricia Robb speaking, Executive Assistant to the CEO, may I help you?" January 19, 2009 Patricia Robb said. 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
NOVEMBER 10, 2008
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
NOVEMBER 9, 2008
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
JANUARY 19, 2009
The last online course I took was under $70 and was interactive using both the computer and a speaker phone for audio. I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion.
Laughing all the Way to Work
DECEMBER 5, 2009
I have a network of assistants that I call friends, although some are just phone colleagues, but we help each other. I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion.
Laughing all the Way to Work
OCTOBER 31, 2009
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
NOVEMBER 8, 2009
If it is an external meeting, but local, enter location of meeting in calendar, provide your boss with address and directions, contact phone number, taxi chit. Do you need to book it or were you provided with location. Enter it in calendar. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
SEPTEMBER 18, 2009
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
AUGUST 22, 2009
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
JULY 12, 2010
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
JULY 1, 2010
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
JUNE 27, 2009
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
JUNE 23, 2009
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
JUNE 4, 2010
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
MAY 16, 2010
I also do not claim to give any medical, financial, psychological, veterinary, retail, personal training or HR advice, although at times it may seem like I think I know what Im talking about, it is just my opinion. If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list. 411 Look Up 411.ca 411 Look Up 411.ca
Laughing all the Way to Work
NOVEMBER 1, 2008
I can interact where I am now, but I have to get up and go if I want to speak with someone and then when I get there I may find they are busy or on the phone so I have wasted my time. Of course there is a down side to being able to do that. (for If you find some are outdated please let me know so I can remove them from this list.
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