Administrative Assistant's Update

JANUARY 2017 6 6 Lara Dodo Positioning yourself to succeed By Staff If you're a lifelong learner with the drive to rise professionally, you al- ready know that you're the key person to put you in a position to succeed. The successful administrative professional of today and tomorrow will be a tech savvy self-starter who supports one or more executives, constantly adds skills as needs and software change, looks analytically at operations and finds new ways to con- tribute to the organization's success. Moving to ever more challenging and rewarding responsibilities is within the grasp of the admin who plans for the future, carefully and deliberately laying the foundation for success. AAU asked Lara Dodo, regional vice-president of OfficeTeam, an international staffing service specializing in the placement of office professionals, what steps she recommends for ad - mins to put themselves in a position to succeed, whether within the admin's current organization or beyond. Last month she outlined basic con- siderations that should come before a decision about a career move. This month she tells how employees can position themselves for a promotion as well as gain visibility. How can employees position themselves for a promotion? • Get in the know. If you're hoping for a promotion, learn what qualifi- cations are necessary to reach that next level. Think you deserve a raise? Determine the average pay range for your position by consult- ing resources such as the OfficeTeam 2017 Salary Guide. • Step up. Look for ways to go beyond your current role by volunteering for assignments that challenge your abilities and impact the company's bottom line. Demonstrate a strong work ethic by completing these tasks — no matter how tedious or tiring — on time and error-free. • Talk it over. Discuss long-term career aspirations with your boss. He or she may know of internal opportunities that align with your goals and can help you evaluate and prepare for these positions. • Learn something new. To move up in the ranks or earn a higher salary, you may need to brush up on some skills or earn a special certification or advanced degree. • Be well-connected. Raise your visibility by networking with oth - ers within the company. You could learn of new opportunities first and increase the likelihood that some- one considers you when a position becomes available. Managers notice and value team members who work well with others. Get to know a cross- section of people in your organization outside of your day-to-day contacts by introducing yourself, asking about their responsibilities and inquiring about upcoming projects where you might be able to help. More tips for gaining visibility: • Provide status reports. Even if they aren't requested, let your manager know that you'd like to send weekly project updates. Be specific when describing exactly what you did and what resulted from your efforts. • Thank the team. Call attention to group successes by sending an email recognizing those who helped and copying relevant managers. • Share the news. Receive a gushing email from a coworker or someone in another department? Be sure to forward it to your manager. • Start a collection. Keep a folder of professional highlights, such as emails praising your work and com - plimentary notes from managers. You can use this information during performance reviews to showcase your achievements. • Speak up at meetings. During staff meetings, be willing to share ideas and propose solutions to issues fac- ing your department. This will help reduce the possibility of coworkers taking credit for your ideas. You'll also demonstrate that you are truly engaged in what's going on around you. • Offer to help. If a teammate is strug- gling to meet a deadline, offer to help. Employees who show initiative are always in demand. Maybe even join a committee at work to help with projects outside of your normal responsibilities. Credit: docstockmedia (Shutterstock)

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