ARE YOU A FLEXIBLE, detail-oriented people-person seeking exciting new challenges? AdminEnterprises strives to position every member of the AdminEnterprises family in fulfilling temporary assignments and satisfying permanent careers. We specialize in assisting individuals with backgrounds in Office Administration.

Our company has 51 offices throughout the country. A consultant is available to advise you on a wide range of opportunities with real career potential! Please take a few minutes to browse our “Tips on Interviewing” pamphlet, an indispensable resource for all temp-to-perm* job-seekers.

Key Words

• Project: Anything you are asked to do.
• Document: Any paper product you utilize (see below) during the course of the day. Does not include toilet paper but may include napkins.
• Meeting: Any verbal exchange between two or more, as long as all parties are seated.
• Create: To make, as in, “I’d like you to create a new labeling system for this filing cabinet.”
• Utilize: To use, as in “Please utilize your advanced computer skills [see below] to open this e-mail attachment.”
• Pendaflex: An accordion-like file pocket for documents. Origin unknown.
• Cube: Short for cubicle; your universe.

Your Skill Set

• Computer Skills: The ability to turn a computer on and off.
• Advanced Computer Skills: The ability to save and print Microsoft Word documents. Knowledge of one major e-mail program a bonus.
• Programming Experience: Mail merges, downloading files from the Internet, anything in Excel.
• A Technical Person: As in “I’m a technical person.” (See In the Interview.) One who can operate a fax, replace toner in a Xerox machine, scan documents (in that case, a techie).
• Analytic Skills: Ability to count (and stuff!) large numbers of envelopes without losing count and having to go back and start again. Mastery of arithmetic a bonus.
• Excellent Verbal And Communication Skills: The ability to answer the phone. Courteous and coherent interfacing in meetings a plus. No spitting, please!
• A People Person: Your acceptance of your subordination within the framework of a large organization. Your ability to assert your dominance over bike messengers, UPS delivery people, and interns (basically, anybody not on the company payroll). Also, your willingness to take pleasure in saying good morning to all your superiors (everyone in the office except the aforementioned) or risk disciplinary action. Smile!

Terms & Conditions

• *Temp-to-Perm: On the off chance you eventually get hired as a full-time employee, we’ll collect a big fee. But even if you don’t get hired, we’re still keeping 50 cents on the dollar of what we bill for you.
• Contract Work: You’re not Julia Roberts and this ain’t ICM. The only thing vaguely resembling a contract you’ll see is a form you’ll sign stating that you’ll take all the unseemly business practices you witness to the grave or risk criminal prosecution. You’ll work until the company with whom AdminEnterprises does have a contract decides you’re history, at which point you may or may not get a call from your AdminEnterprises Placement consultant for another assignment. Stock up on canned tuna at Costco and expect a three-month wait. (Actually, that’s your vacation package. No, you may not collect unemployment during this Unpaid Time Off [UTO].)
• Disciplinary Action: Otherwise known as “the boot.” AdminEnterprises reserves the right to terminate employment without cause. Once released, no AdminEnterprises Consultant will ever call you again, and your credit record may be adversely effected.

In The Interview: Five Points to Make About Your Qualifications

1. “I have a passion for organization [use word generously, at least three times in interview; verb form OK too] and office administration.” It helps to have a Pendaflex on your person during the interview process.
2. “I’m highly detail-oriented.” Mention that you consider color-coded filing systems to be a higher art form, right up there with PowerPoint ClipArt. Now’s the time to really strut your stuff: Tell ’em about the time you replaced peeling labels with new ones in salmon, mint, and canary. For those rare superstar candidates, a slide show/demo is not beyond the realm of possibility.
3. “My programming experience allows me to navigate the Internet swiftly.” (Could also be a red flag, so feel this one out).
4. “I have strong interpersonal skills.” (As with excellent verbal and communication skills, “superpositive” word always precedes.)
5. “I’m a technical person/I’m a techie.” (Caution: If you can’t operate a scanner, don’t call yourself a techie.)
6. Bonus Words: Toss these in—they never hurt and usually impress: customer service, team, motivated, organize, collate, manila (that’s manila, not Manila—and don’t let on that you can find the Philippines on a map. Nobody likes a show-off).
7. Words to Avoid if Possible: but, not, carpal tunnel, inexperienced, ambition, sick days, don’t know that program, sense of humor, my medication, huh?

And Lastly, The Don’ts

NEVER:

1. Remark on how ironic it is that “administrative assistant” and “Alcoholics Anonymous” share the same initials. If you have to keep a flask handy on the job, save it for the bus trip home. (If you thought you could keep up your car payments, think again! The good news is after six months you may qualify for a partially subsidized bus pass. Some additional fees may apply. Void where prohibited. Supplies limited.)
2. Mention your college major was Women’s Studies or your thesis on the emergence of a genderized workplace in the early 20th century (or make any reference to higher education, for that matter). Really, it isn’t relevant.
3. Ask where the on button is.
4. Even think about making a personal call from your desk. That’s what conference rooms are for.
5. Ask about benefits. What do you need health insurance for, anyway?