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I can give you my experience as an employer who recently hired for this position. We received over 400 resumes for this job posting. The posting was very specific about having previous experience as an administrative assistant and all of the tasks associated with this position, software experience, etc. Out of the 400 resumes only 20 had actual experience and/or the required skills/software knowledge. We do not have time to train and are always going to look at those with the experience that matches the job posting first. I believe that many of those that applied without experience did so because they assume the job is easy. An administrative assistant job is not easy and requires a lot skill in managing multiple tasks, budgets, excellent communication skills, software and technology skills and diplomacy. I spent many hours looking through each of the 400 resumes we received and in the end interviewed four people and found the person who best matched the requirements of the job. I would suggest taking courses to get the skills required for this type of position, taking assessments and working a temp job providing administrative support.
Hi, have you tried using a staffing agency to get a foot in the door? That may be a way to find something. I've been working in an office for several years and experienced in front and back office. Your job duties will vary depending on the company and atmosphere also. I've learned payroll, accounting and various softwares as well. Good luck!
The recruiter has someone in mind, probably a friend or relative.
I've been doing this since i got out of high school in 1971 (including 10 years active duty in military and several federal and state gov't positions) and employers want more and more from you in this position. You need to know a little (or more) about everything. I started using a typewriter and now they want you to know every app in existence. Our generation has an unmatched work ethic and a college degree could be needed tho i can't imagine why. One must be quick, professional, personable, friendly, capable and industrious. And don't expect any accolades ever. You will feel used and unappreciated but it can be fullfilling if they pay you well. That's my 2 cents.
Consider temping. You will learn different systems and also get a feel for the companies out there. You may even get a job offer. In the meantime, become familiar with Microsoft office suite and Google Docs. This will help transitioning from teacher to an office.
A few suggestions from someone who has been in this field for a long time.
How are your soft skills? These are skills that we take for granted but transfer to any career. Patrick Lencioni has a book and test called Working Genius that helps you know your work strengths.
Are you able to volunteer? Try volunteering in an admin or reception role with a nonprofit. This looks great on a resume because it counts as experience and community commitment.
Are you on Social Media? Check it. Get active on LinkedIn and make sure your personal accounts represent a positive, mature professional.
Last, hone your interview skills! I believe I have lost a few opportunities because I get very nervous. For my current position, I did YouTube education which means I watched everything I could find on interviewing in the field I was looking at.
Admin Asst work is often much more than just answering phones, and those parts of your CV should be highlighted. Fluency with Excel, Word, Power Point, ability to organize, transcribe Exec or Board meeting minutes, do travel for others and light duty bookkeeping are often part of that job-suite. If it's not for the posts that you're looking at, showing those on a resume is good anyway and make it clear that you can be more than the current requirement.
If you still can't get in a door, staffing agencies are a good play- no obligation for a firm to try you out as a "temp" with no strings attached. Otherwise, also consider regrouping and searching for positions in HR-Training as your background in teaching is great for that.
Last, are 2 unspoken bias to prep for or somehow address in a resume. First, is a concern of transition from the perceived pace of govt work vs that of private firms. Second is that teaching may have highly structured and unionized work, whereas private firm work can be ambiguous, "jump in where needed", and not all are treated equal. Again, an adaptability question.
Honestly, there is risk of perception.
Have you thought about having your resume professionally optimized? When I couldn't find a job I had my resume done by a resume writer and suddenly I started getting interviews. I would definitely recommend it.
Hi. Does your resume contain a lot of formatting - tables, graphics (lines, fancy bullet points, photos or other images)? If your resume seems to be disappearing into a black hole - if you are not even receiving an automatic reply such as "We have received your resume and will be in touch," it could be that your resume needs simplifying to get past the Applicant Tracking Software.
With resumes, the simpler the format, the better (I have nearly 20 years of experience in writing resumes, and this has always worked for my clients).
Best of luck to you. Job searching is very difficult right now.
In times of scrutiny of job market, the best way to move is... continuing the education. Having the second specialty is never hurt. Choose wisely, now something you really not very fond of, challenging and even difficult.
Teachers are having hierarchy in schools, rewrite your resume in the direction you might had assessed to a senior, if you persist to apply such a entry level.
Sincerely wishing you apply up, anywhere in finance, health care, education, municipality, businesses. Leave assistant role to newcomers and high school graduates.
Good
I think this is a rage bait post and it seems it worked.