Career guide

Administrative assistant: career guide and training

As an administrative assistant, you keep the administration of a company running smoothly.

What will you do?

You answer the phone, process incoming mail and emails, and work with the computer all day. The role is also known as administrative clerk, office clerk or secretariat assistant. You compile administrative files, digitise, classify and archive documents, and write up minutes of meetings.

  • Receive and distribute incoming mail and manage emails
  • Compile administrative files
  • Digitise, classify and archive documents
  • Write minutes of meetings
  • Provide telephone reception
  • Monitor office supply stock

Skills to develop

  • Comfortable with common office software and digital tools
  • Accurate and structured way of working
  • Friendly and professional on the phone
  • Discreet with confidential files
  • Knowledge of Dutch, French or English is an asset

Your foundation for this occupation

Spreadsheets, document management and business correspondence are foundations. Understand how orders, invoices and customer records connect within a file.

From preparation to your first day

  1. Develop the practical skills

    Practise data entry, document retrieval and matching invoices to orders. Use consistent filenames and versions.

  2. Check your work

    Check amounts, dates and recipients before sending. Refer missing information to the colleague responsible.

How can you grow?

Specialise in purchasing administration, invoicing or HR administration. Case management adds independent deadline tracking.

Frequently asked questions

Is fast typing essential?

Accuracy and checking matter just as much. An incorrect customer number or amount creates more rework than slightly slower entry.

Sources and training

Could this be your match?

A vacancy only tells part of the story. Discover how your skills, work style and commute fit a job in the Werkvolk app.

Free for candidates