Would you hire an 18 year old administrative assistant?

Question

Here is the job ad that I am interested in:

"ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT NEEDED. Law office seeks applicants for an administrative assistant position. Please be attentive to detail, able to maintain confidentiality, and computer literate. Lawyers and staff are friendly and hard-working and seek similar applicants. Duties include answering phones, typing, filing, errands, and general staff support. Benefits include. . ." blah blah blah and then some contact information to send a resume.

I've worked in retail for the past 3 years so I can deal with phones, errands, paperwork, and especially grumpy people (haha). I have a college communications class under my belt and am enrolled in a computer class that starts in 2 weeks. I am already very familiar with Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, and can type 95 wpm.

BUT I am 18.

It is a law office but the "duties" are pretty much their c**p work, so I can't see very many people running for that job.

Is there a shot in h**l that I would get hired?

Answer 1

If you demonstrate a seriousness, drive and willingness to really succeed at this job, of course I would hire you.  I was 18 also when I got my first real secretarial job at a lawfirm.  I had no experience but during the interview I really stressed that I wanted to learn all aspects of being a legal secretary and the partners gave me a chance.  

Just dress appropriately for the interview; have a really good resume ready in a folder and just be yourself.  

Answer 2

Well it sounds like you meet the basic requirements of the job, so why not apply, all they can do is not hire you.  Don't let you age be a factor, I got my a job as an Administrative Assistant to the CEO at 18, had only my HS diploma, but could type and dressed professionally - I wore a suit. I also always looked young for my age so when I was 18 I looked 16, but they hired me.  Your competition can be tough, but I always got the jobs I interviewed for, I use to wonder why until I started working in HR, then I saw the fact that I dressed and spoke professionally got me the job even if I may have not always been the most exp'd - you'd be surprised how people come to an interview, speak in an interview, their resumes look great then they show up for the interview and you know why they are looking for a job.  So don't let your age feel like you wouldn't be considered, do it right and you just might get the job.

HR Manager

Answer 3

Sure. Age doesn't really matter.  It's the experience and skills you have.

Answer 4

A "shot in h**l"?  Sure.  Is it likely?  No.  People are going to be lining up around the block for this job and many applicants will have more and better qualifications than you have.

Answer 5

Sure you can. If you have the maturity level of understanding professionalism in the workplace, any prior work experience, as well as some background education or relevant skills.

Anything's possible. Go and apply for it. It wouldn't hurt.

Hope that helps

Answer 6

Actually, that type of job is very attractive for a lot of people.  You sound like you are basically qualified.  Are your typing skills at 95 wpm?  Lawyers shuffle off all of their typing and that's their main product - extensive, wordy, difficult, and formatted documents.  You really need more than an understanding of Word, you need to have control of the language and type like a bat out of h**l.