What if your first professional job in Singapore brought you in contact with company leaders - while also offering rising salaries, increasingly challenging work, and the ability to work in virtually any geography or industry?
The job of administrative assistants is evolving rapidly.
As technology increasingly automates the routine tasks these professionals used to do, the work is becoming more varied, more challenging and more interesting.
That gives you a larger chance to show off hidden skills, and hone new ones.
If you have an upcoming job interview for such a role, here are six good answers to, "Why do you want to work as an Administrative Assistant?"
1. "Administrative work is dynamic and challenging."
The typical day of an administrative professional in Singapore is rarely dull. You are likely to engage in a wide variety of activities, deal with many different personalities, and manage rapidly changing priorities.
In fact, administrative assistants are taking on a far broader range of responsibilities than they used to.
Duties used to be limited largely to typing, filing and answering the phone. These days, you may find yourself:
- Managing budgets
- Making purchasing decisions
- Planning company events
- Providing technology training to fellow employees
- Managing communications with vendors, clients and employees
- Managing social media accounts
- Assisting in hiring and recruitment
- Handling accounting, payroll and HR functions
Related: Common interview questions in Singapore
2. "Administrative assistants are in-demand in Singapore."
It’s still a job seeker’s market, and many employers are struggling to find highly skilled administrative professionals.
How much does an Administrative Assistant make? Find the Administrative Assistant salary range — and target the salary data by location — in the latest Robert Half Salary Guide.
Related: Five interview techniques and skills
3. "The role traditionally offers generous flexibility and variety."
No matter where you live (or want to live), employers are likely looking for promising administrative assistants.
Wherever there are offices of a certain size, talented administration professionals are in demand.
Related: Questions to ask about work culture in a job interview
4. "You can get your foot into the door of any industry."
Just as administrative work exists in virtually every geography, it also cuts across nearly every industry.
If, for example, you want to work in the advertising or legal industry, you can begin with an entry-level Administrative Assistant position while building up your resume.
Once in the door, you can observe the industry up close, start to build your professional network, and find out if it offers the kind of career track you want to follow.
5. "The role can provide a lot of job satisfaction."
There are many reasons administrative assistants find their work satisfying, from the sheer variety of the tasks they perform to the satisfaction that comes from helping colleagues do their own jobs better.
Support staff roles can be very rewarding, despite — and often because of — increasing responsibilities.
Related: Competency-based interview questions
6. "There is clear upward mobility."
Today’s administrative professionals find themselves taking on the work once performed by so-called middle management.
If you decide to grow within the administrative profession, you might want to get an administrative certification.
There are plenty of roles you could strive for, including these:
- Senior Executive Assistant — Working with the most senior managers can be a fast-paced and rewarding career.
- Customer Service Manager — Possess stellar communication and technology skills? Customer service experience? Companies understand the power of excellent customer service.
- Office Manager — If you’re a master coordinator with strong office support management skills, this could be the job for you.
Why do you want to work as an Administrative Assistant?
Becoming an Administrative Assistant is an exciting career opportunity in Singapore, and the job interview is your opportunity to share how much you know about the role, as well as how passionate you are about the opportunities ahead.
Related: Questions to ask in an interview in Singapore
The administrative professional’s role creates gateways to build a professional network, learn the "ins and outs" of an industry, and develop practical skills — from effective business writing to Excel macros — that can serve you throughout your career.
