A Great Day's Work

Networking

The Value of Talking with Recruiters

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24914608_sWhy do you stay with your employer? Is it the Monday – Friday 9-5 work schedule?  Is it the extra time and resources you have been given to advance your professional development skills?  Do you like your work/life balance (job flexibility)?  Does the commute time benefit your lifestyle?  Is it the job satisfaction that you derive from your work responsibilities?  Does your company’s culture benefit you?  Does your salary allow you to maintain a reasonable lifestyle?

If the responsibilities you hold at work as an administrative professional are anything like mine, we both know that our workdays can be long, and there is little time throughout the day for professional development (That is for the early morning, late evenings, or weekends, right?). [Read more…] about The Value of Talking with Recruiters

The Value of Membership in Professional Organizations

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34123188_sAre you aware of the many professional organizations around the globe available for administrative professionals to certify skills, acquire education, receive recognition, participate in leadership roles, and engage in networking opportunities?

If so, what professional organizations do you belong to?  If not, Lucy Brazier, Publisher/Editor/CEO of Executive Secretary Magazine, offers a comprehensive listing of administrative professional organizations on the Executive Secretary Magazine website. Check it out! [Read more…] about The Value of Membership in Professional Organizations

IAAP Summit 2015: A Great Career Investment

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11752493_10206941487606679_2182780940483066718_nJuly 2015 offered administrative professionals from around the globe the opportunity to attend the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) signature annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The decision to attend the IAAP Summit 2015 this year was a great career investment.

I am thankful for the IAAP staff, leaders, volunteers, members, and businesses that supported the IAAP Summit 2015. IAAP conferences have proven to be a great source of learning. A special thank you to my co-workers Karin and Kim, who covered for me in the office while I attended this conference.

Through my social media posts, I was able to share events and pictures related to the IAAP Summit 2015 and my travels throughout Louisville, which was informative to my employer, co-workers, family, and friends. [Read more…] about IAAP Summit 2015: A Great Career Investment

Should an Administrative Assistant be on LinkedIn?

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I recently reached out to Sandra Clark, a workshop facilitator and coach, to ask her about the importance of using LinkedIn.  A BIG thank you to Sandra for sharing the information in this blog post.

Should an Administrative Assistant be on LinkedIn?  If you don’t have time to read the full blog, I’ll just answer that here–yes, yes and yes!

You are not your job title: link

Administrative Assistant at XYZ Inc.
Administrative Assistant to the CEO

[Read more…] about Should an Administrative Assistant be on LinkedIn?

The Business Card: An Extension of You

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17260891_sThe business card is an extension of one’s professional life.  It offers information for business acquaintances to reach you.  The business card communicates your name, company, position, and contact information.  This information is critical and is often times used later to identify and remember you.

Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t have a business card at your fingertips?  In those unexpected moments, many scramble for a piece of paper or even a napkin to write down their contact information.  Try avoiding being in a position where you don’t have a business card by keeping a few business cards with you at all times.

It’s best to buy a quality business card case to keep your business cards clean and in perfect condition.  Keeping your business cards in your wallet or purse over time can damage the card. [Read more…] about The Business Card: An Extension of You

Hire An Intern: Best Decision I Made!

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35612820_sWouldn’t it be nice to have an extra set of hands helping in the office?  Internship programs offer employers a unique partnership with local high schools and colleges in helping to train tomorrow’s office professionals.  The reward is a genuine feeling of satisfaction that comes from helping to mentor high school or college students towards career success.

In 2004 I joined the staff of a newly incorporated city.  I was hired as the executive assistant—employee #13.  Within a couple of months of being hired, I knew I needed to hire additional administrative support.  The best way for me to test that hypothesis and gain supervisory experience was through working with interns. [Read more…] about Hire An Intern: Best Decision I Made!

Admin to Admin is Hitting the Road in 2015

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RealAdmin to Admin trainers, Lisa Olsen, Linda McFarland, and I, are preparing to hit the road in 2015 to deliver a one-day educational program for administrative professionals who strive for excellence in the workplace.

Our program includes cutting-edge interactive workshops and exercises delivered in an energetic environment that will guarantee to stimulate your thinking. More importantly, the workshops will help you to navigate your career with confidence.

With over 60 combined years of executive support experience Lisa, Linda, and I currently hold positions as executive assistants, corporate trainers, and educators.

Don’t miss the opportunity to join administrative professionals who are looking to increase their potential, grow their network, build strong partnerships with their managers, and improve leadership and communication skills. [Read more…] about Admin to Admin is Hitting the Road in 2015

Act Now…2015 Conferences for Administrative Professionals

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22519722_sWondering where to spend your corporate training dollars in 2015?  Don’t have corporate support and/or corporate dollars to spend on training?  Take charge of your professional development today and set aside personal dollars for training to grow your career.

Seeking and embracing opportunities for education and training is critical and necessary to being in the “driver’s seat” of your career.  Do not stay focused on the here and now.  You must plan for your future ahead.  Neglecting professional development is a choice and will only keep your career in “park” or even move it into “reverse.” [Read more…] about Act Now…2015 Conferences for Administrative Professionals

The Celebrity Apprentice—Lessons Learned

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Filmed in New York City, Donald Trump has just launched a brand new season of The Celebrity Apprentice.  I love the business-related lessons that can be learned from watching this dynamic television program.

This season 16 celebrities have been selected to compete against one another in business-related team challenges to raise money for charity and to be named this year’s “Celebrity Apprentice.”  Each of the two teams is given the same project, which includes many tasks to be divided among the team members.  The team chooses a project manager, who leads the team throughout the duration of the project.  The celebrities use their leadership and communication skills, business expertise, celebrity status, and professional networks to win challenges.  Upon meeting tight project deadlines, the teams are brought back into a boardroom and evaluated by Donald Trump and his advisors.  In the boardroom, the project manager and individual members of the team must defend their decisions and behaviors. [Read more…] about The Celebrity Apprentice—Lessons Learned

Incorporate Laughter and Fun into Your Workday

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santaI realize that I have the choice to add laugh lines or stress lines to my face as I grow older.  I choose laugh lines!

Last Friday, my Heald College employer hosted a holiday celebration and open house for hundreds of attendees:  students, staff, faculty, family, and friends.  It was an absolutely delightful three hours.  The staff did an incredible job planning a social event filled with Christmas caroling, visits with Santa, craft stations, a delicious dessert bar, fascinating tricks by a magician, and short educational workshops.

As the evening progressed, several of the staff and faculty were invited to play musical chairs.  I quickly found myself in the wrong place at the wrong time and was asked to participate.  Of course, I said, “Yes!” and quickly tried to recall from prior decades how this game was played.

As the chairs were being arranged in a large circle with volunteers starting to come forward to play, I quickly thought to myself “I’m way too old for this!  I hope at 5’10” I don’t come crashing to the ground while colliding with another colleague to sit down in a chair.  Are the people standing around and watching us video recording this?” [Read more…] about Incorporate Laughter and Fun into Your Workday