How to Hire an Office Assistant

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Does your growing business need an office assistant? 

Understanding the steps behind hiring an office assistant, including data about candidates looking for office assistant jobs, salaries, and key terms to include in your job description, can help you stand out from the competition to reach, attract and hire quality candidates.

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Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

Office Assistant: What is the cost of hiring?

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Why hire an office assistant?

An office assistant is responsible for performing various administrative and clerical tasks to support the functioning of an office, such as answering and directing phone calls, scheduling appointments, organising and maintaining files, and handling incoming and outgoing correspondence. They may also manage office supplies and equipment, assist with event planning and coordination, and provide general support to other staff members as needed.

Contributions of a great office assistant:

  • Answer and direct phone calls
  • Schedule appointments and meetings
  • Organise and maintain files and documents
  • Assist with event planning and coordination
  • Provide general support to other staff members

Deciding between a full-time vs freelance office assistant

When choosing between a freelance and a full-time office assistant, it is important to understand your business needs.

If you need flexible support on a project-by-project basis, then a freelance office assistant can be a more cost-effective option as you can hire them temporarily and do not have to provide them with the same benefits as salaried employees. A freelance assistant may have a wider range of skills and can operate without supervision as they have likely worked with a variety of clients and in different industries but they may not be as dedicated to your business as a full-time office assistant.

However, if you need more consistent, in-depth assistance, then consider hiring a full-time office assistant as they are typically expected to work for regular hours and be available to handle a variety of tasks on a consistent basis. While you will have to provide them a fixed salary and additional benefits like insurance, hiring a full-time office assistant will be more cost-effective if you need consistent assistance. 

What are the different types of office assistants?

There can be different types of office assistants depending upon the nature of their assistance and the industry they are working in. Here are some of them:

  • Virtual assistant: A professional who assists businesses by providing administrative support remotely.
  • Executive assistant: A high-level assistant who typically supports a company’s executives or senior management team.
  • Legal assistant: A legal assistant provides support to lawyers and helps with legal research and document preparation.
  • Medical assistant: They support doctors and other medical staff in a healthcare setting.

Where to find an office assistant?

To find the right office assistant for your business, try different recruiting strategies like:

  • Post flyers: Posting flyers can attract the attention of potential candidates you can interview for the office assistant job.
  • Reach out to your professional network: Asking for references from colleagues or other contacts in your industry can help you hire an office assistant with trustworthy recommendations.
  • Offer internships to college students: This is an effective strategy to hire talented students and graduates looking for entry-level professional experience.

Post your job online: Try posting your office assistant job on Indeed to find and attract quality office assistant candidates.

Skills to look for in a great office assistant

A great office assistant candidate will have the following skills, attributes, and work experience that reflects:

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Proficiency in relevant computer software and technology
  • Ability to multitask and manage time effectively
  • Organisation and planning abilities
  • Professionalism and a positive attitude

Writing an office assistant job description

A thoughtful job description is critical to finding qualified office assistant candidates. An office assistant job description includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities, and the preferred skills for the position.

When writing your job description for an office assistant, consider including some or all of the following keywords to strengthen the visibility of your job posting. According to Indeed data, these are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on office assistant  jobs:

  • Office assistant
  • Computer operator
  • Back office
  • Back office executive
  • Fresher
  • 12th pass
  • Office administrator
  • Freshers job vacancy
  • Receptionist
  • Administrative assistant

Interviewing office assistant candidates

Strong candidates for office assistant positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

  • Organisational skills
  • Professionalism and work ethic
  • Knowledge of the company and industry
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Customer service abilities

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of office assistant interview questions for examples (with sample answers).

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FAQs about how to hire an office assistant

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.