16 General Assistant Skills for Your Career and Resume

A general assistant is a professional who provides support in a variety of settings. General assistants can work in office settings, educational institutions, or medical facilities. The skills required for a general assistant vary depending on the industry, but there are some essential skills that are necessary for all general assistants. If you are interested in becoming a general assistant, it is important to understand what skills are required for the job.

Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping is the process of recording financial transactions and maintaining records. General assistants often perform bookkeeping duties, such as entering data into a computer system or updating files. You can also take classes to become a certified bookkeeper, which may help you advance in your career.

Office Equipment Operation

General assistants often use office equipment like computers, printers and fax machines. Knowing how to operate these devices can help you be more efficient in your job. You may also need to train others on how to use the equipment if you work with a team of assistants. Consider taking an online course or asking a colleague for guidance when you’re unsure about how to use certain equipment.

Supply Management

General assistants often perform duties related to supply management, which involves tracking and ordering materials for the company. This includes maintaining a stock of office supplies in an organized manner so employees can find what they need quickly. It also includes managing inventory levels of raw materials used by production teams or sales representatives. General assistants may use software programs that track inventory levels and automatically order supplies when necessary.

Flexibility

General assistants often have to adapt their schedules and duties based on the needs of their supervisors. Flexibility allows you to be able to adjust your workday as needed, which can help you maintain a positive relationship with your supervisor. Being flexible also means being willing to take on new tasks or responsibilities when necessary. This skill is especially important if you’re working in an entry-level position because you may not know what types of duties you’ll need to perform in the future.

Filing & Data Entry

General assistants often perform clerical duties, including filing and data entry. These skills are important for maintaining an organized work environment and ensuring that the company’s records are accurate. General assistants should be able to use a variety of office software programs, such as word processing, spreadsheet and database management systems.

Customer Service

Customer service skills are important for general assistants because they often work with customers directly. General assistants may be responsible for greeting and interacting with clients, answering phone calls and emails from clients and resolving customer issues. Customer service skills can help you provide excellent service to your employer’s clients so that you can build trust and maintain positive relationships.

Project Coordination

General assistants often work with multiple projects at a time, so it’s important to have strong project coordination skills. This means you can prioritize tasks and manage your schedule effectively. You may also need to communicate between different departments or teams about the status of various projects. For example, if one team is waiting on another team for information, you might be able to help facilitate communication between them.

Communication

General assistants often work with a variety of people, including their managers and clients. Communication skills allow you to interact with others in the workplace and convey information clearly. General assistants also need to communicate effectively with clients over the phone or through email. Examples of communication skills include active listening, speaking confidently and conveying ideas through writing.

Answering Phones

General assistants often answer phones for their managers, so it’s important to be able to communicate clearly and professionally. You may need to take messages, schedule appointments or relay information between departments. Being able to multitask while answering the phone is also an important skill for a general assistant.

Problem Solving

General assistants often need to solve problems that arise in the workplace. For example, if a coworker needs help with a task or project, you may be responsible for solving any issues they encounter. You can also use problem-solving skills when completing tasks on your own. If you notice something is wrong with an item you’re working on, you can find ways to fix it and prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.

Reliability

General assistants often work with multiple people, so it’s important to be reliable. Reliability means you can depend on someone to complete their duties and responsibilities. General assistants may need to meet deadlines for projects or tasks, so being reliable ensures that you can fulfill your obligations. You also might have to take responsibility for completing a task if the person you work with is unavailable.

Scheduling Appointments

General assistants often schedule appointments for their supervisors, including meetings with clients and other business-related events. They also may need to reschedule or cancel these appointments when the supervisor is unavailable. Scheduling skills are important because they allow general assistants to ensure that their employers have enough time to complete all of their work duties.

Shipping & Receiving

General assistants often perform shipping and receiving duties, which means they need to know how to receive shipments, check inventory levels and track incoming orders. You can also use your shipping and receiving skills in other job roles, so it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about these processes when you’re working as a general assistant.

Interpersonal Skills

General assistants often work with people, so it’s important to have strong interpersonal skills. You may be the first point of contact for a manager and you need to be able to communicate effectively with them. General assistants also work in teams, so they must be able to collaborate well with others. For example, if your boss needs something typed up, you might delegate tasks to other employees who can type faster than you.

Invoicing

Invoicing is the process of creating a detailed record of all transactions that occurred during a business transaction. General assistants often use invoicing skills to track and maintain records of their work, as well as those of other employees. This can help you keep accurate records for your employer and ensure that you receive proper payment for your work.

Organization

Organization is a skill that can help you be an effective general assistant. You may need to keep track of multiple tasks and projects at once, so it’s important to have organizational skills like prioritizing your work, keeping files organized and managing your time effectively. Being organized can also help you maintain a clean workspace for your employer, which can make them more likely to promote you in the future.

How Can I Learn These General Assistant Skills?

There are a few ways that you can learn the necessary skills for a general assistant position. Many of these skills can be learned through on-the-job training, meaning that you can learn them while working in the position. However, if you want to learn these skills before applying for a job, you can take classes at a community college or online. You can also look for books or articles that teach these skills. Finally, you can shadow someone who already works as a general assistant to see how they perform their job.