Pre-Employment Tests For Secretaries And Executive Assistants
Top Skills and Abilities:
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Interacting with Computers
Top 3 Tasks:
- Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.
- Answer phone calls and direct calls to appropriate parties or take messages.
- Conduct research, compile data, and prepare papers for consideration and presentation by executives, committees and boards of directors.
Overview
Secretaries and executive assistants form the backbone of administrative support in just about every industry. From school districts to law firms, their general responsibilities include maintaining records, setting up appointments, and relaying correspondence. Secretaries are prevalent in every level of administration, from the front desk to the CEO's office, while executive assistants are linked to high-ranking members of an organization's infrastructure.
Requirements
Both positions require organization skills, trustworthiness, and a positive attitude. A company with a strong support system has the ability to prosper by saving time for employees, making them free to take on other responsibilities. Experienced executive assistants can become indispensable parts of a company's decision-making process, collecting reports and overseeing other assistants. Applicants who are well-versed in computer software are at a distinct advantage as more duties become automated.
Assessments for Secretaries And Executive Assistants
Criteria Corp customers most commonly use skills and personality tests when screening applicants for secretarial and executive assistant positions. The Criteria Basic Skills Test (CBST) measures verbal and math skills, reading comprehension, spelling, grammar, and attention to detail, featuring specific benchmarks for administrative and executive assistants. Additionally, the Computer Literacy and Internet Knowledge Test (CLIK) assesses an applicant's proficiency with computers, including their ability to use common office software, which is essential for tasks such as document preparation and data management. Together, these assessments can help hiring managers select executive assistants who are not only personable and reliable but also technologically adept.
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Source: U.S. Department of Labor