Behind a successful boss is an excellent administrative assistant in the construction company. They are problem solvers and gatekeepers, and their responsibilities go beyond traditional administrative tasks. Plus, they help the inner office work and maintain a balance between their personal and business obligations.
Administrative assistants serve as the extension of the one they support, so they must know everything about them. This includes their expectations, working style, and the things that make them tick. To build that relationship, there must be trust.
Therefore, you must go beyond the administrative assistant job description and have initiative. This, combined with other traits, enable you to be an irreplaceable assistant. Let’s learn more about what an administrative assistant in the construction industry should know.
Anticipate Needs as Part of the Construction Administrative Assistant Job
Most construction administrative assistant jobs focus on the tasks they must complete. You may order office supplies, deal with project contracts, handle data entry, and help with purchase orders. There are various administrative tasks to do, but the main goal is to address your boss’s needs before they even know they require them.
It might be a small thing, such as having lunch before a meeting or filtering out distractions so that they meet their deadlines. Regardless, you don’t require direction to boost productivity.
Are Adaptable and Resourceful when Offering Administrative Support
An excellent construction administrative assistant uses sound judgment. You know how and when to take action, allowing you to resolve and respond to any unexpected issues. Likewise, you juggle different things, being an office manager or handling multiple tasks as needed.
You switch gears quickly, set up easy-to-use filing systems, and deal with construction management.
Reflect the Supervisor's Values While Completing Clerical and Administrative Tasks
As a construction administrative assistant, you’re a gatekeeper, so you must represent your boss in a professional and positive light. This requires good communication and time management skills, attention to detail, and discretion while handling your administrative duties.
Keep the Office Running While Volunteering for Special Projects
Most construction companies don’t easily find people to handle special projects, such as creating expense reports, along with their general office duties. A talented professional can step in and become the project manager. They may still take incoming phone calls and all the rest, but they focus on being the best they can be.
Likewise, they might assist project managers with other construction projects that don’t pertain to their duties. Nothing is too small for them to tackle.
They're Tech-Savvy
The role of a construction administrative assistant has evolved throughout the years. Today, they don’t focus on answering phones and filing paperwork. Instead, they contribute to more complex projects, such as pay requests, which require technology. Become proficient in QuickBooks, PowerPoint, Excel, and more.
Being the Best at Your Construction Administrative Assistant Job
You want to run an efficient office environment, and that means ordering office supplies, dealing with sub-contractors, and all the rest. However, you also need to create an office management team that handles all the tasks your boss requires. After reading these tips, you understand how to be a better administrative assistant.
