Support Assistant

Position Overview

As a support assistant, you help to fulfill the company's administrative and clerical tasks. Typically, there is a significant amount of customer service involved, whether it be over the phone, in person, via email, or a mix of the 3. This role is important to the success of the company as they handle much of the outside communication. These administrative support assistant roles are often fast paced and need someone who is efficient and competent in all tasks at hand. Along with correspondence, they also maintain company files, take meeting minutes, coordinate office equipment repairs, and see that general duties around the office are taken care of. They need to ensure they keep company and customer information confidential and organised. In the agricultural industry, administrative assistants should have a general knowledge of the products or services that their company sells. For example, support assistants that work for a farm equipment company should understand basic equipment terms in order to better support customer requests.

Support Assistant Duties

• Record keeping
• Answer telephones
• Respond to emails
• Photocopying
• Track office inventory supply
• Sort payroll cheques
• Set up job interviews
• Maintain the customer database
• Develop customer reports
• Order office supplies
• Handle customer inquiries

Typical Employers

• Farm equipment dealerships
• Feed companies
• Universities
• Colleges
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Construction companies
• Agricultural food and beverage companies
• Equipment manufactures
• Warehousing companies
• Industrial companies
• Farms

Required Education and Training

A high school diploma is required. Support assistants should have an associate's degree with courses related to business and communication. One year of past experience in an administrative role is beneficial. Individuals who apply should be knowledgeable regarding the company's products, or have a desire to learn about the industry. Applicants should be able to demonstrate strong communication abilities as this is a large part of the job.

Key Skills and Qualities

• Effective at multitasking
• Basic accounting knowledge
• Competent with basic computer and Microsoft functions
• Quick learner
• Excellent customer service skills
• Genuine desire to assist others
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organised
• Ability to work well with others

Average Salary

• Entry level support assistants can expect to earn approximately £12,199
• Support assistants with several years of experience will earn about £22,504
• The average salary for a support assistant is £16,273

Typically, people do not stay in a support assistant or administrative assistant role for more than 20 years. The job tasks remain quite similar from year-to-year, which is why the salary does not change significantly over time.