Applicant ID: ______________________
Will be provided during your visit.
So You Want to Be an
Administrative Assistant?
A career-preparation guide from
Version 2.0
May 3, 2010
www.dpstele.com • 1-800-622-3314
“We protect your network like your business depends on it” TM
CP: Career Guides - So You Want to be an Admin Assisntant - Ver. 2 (04/22/2010)
© Copyright 2009 DPS Telecom
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this guide or portions thereof in any form without written permission from DPS Telecom. For
Information, please write to DPS Telecom
4955 E. Yale Ave., Fresno, CA 93727-1523 • Call: 1-800-622-3314 • Email: info@dpstele.com Printed in the U.S.A.
CP: Career Guides - So You Want to be an Admin Assisntant - Ver. 2 (04/22/2010)
Table of Contents
SO WHO IS DPS TELECOM? ............................................................................................................................................ 5
WORKING FOR DPS TELECOM ....................................................................................................................................... 6
OUR HIRING PROCESS ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
ABOUT YOUR PRE-SCREENING APPOINTMENT .......................................................................................................... 8
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR PRE-SCREENING APPOINTMENT ....................................................................... 9
CHALLENGE 1: WORD PROCESSING, SPREADSHEETS AND TYPING- PROVEIT TESTING SET UP
INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................................................................................................................ 10
CHALLENGE 1: OUR EXPECTATIONS – WORD PROCESSING, SPREADSHEETS AND TYPING .......................... 11
CHALLENGE 2: ORDERING OFFICE SUPPLIES ........................................................................................................... 12
FINISHED? ........................................................................................................................................................................ 14
CP: Career Guides - So You Want to be an Admin Assisntant - Ver. 2 (04/22/2010)
CP: Career Guides - So You Want to be an Admin Assisntant - Ver. 2 (04/22/2010)
So who is DPS Telecom?
DPS Telecom designs and manufactures and sells monitoring
equipment for communications networks all over the world. DPS
was founded by engineers over two decades ago. As a
“vertically integrated” company, we oversee the development of
all our products from start to finish right here on-site. Everything
from cutting our own sheet metal, designing PC boards, and
manufacturing finished products is handled right here in Fresno.
Being vertically integrated means that every product is designed,
built, tested and documented here at DPS Telecom’s Fresno headquarters and that there are more
products and solutions being created each and every day!
…And What does DPS Do?
DPS Telecom sells “network alarm monitoring equipment.” Huh?? In a nutshell, DPS products allow
technicians (aka network operators) to verify that all their equipment at a remote site (ie cell phone
towers) is in good running order. If anything goes wrong, an alarm signal is sent that describes the
problem to technicians so repairs can be made as quickly as possible. We help companies react to
changing conditions to prevent outages in their networks. If you are interested in learning more
about DPS Telecoms products and services we invite you to visit our website at www.dpstele.com
Step 1:
An event (Failure,
Step 2:
outage, ect) occurs in
the Network
A DPS “remote unit”
collects the alarm
Step 3:
Technicians
are notified of
the Event
… How Does an Administrative Assistant fit into all of this?
One of your tasks as administrative assistant will include
answering the phones at the front desk. You will be answering
calls from clients from some of the biggest companies around!
DPS clients are Fortune 500 companies, communications giants,
and large and small businesses from all over the world!
Industries we serve include telephone companies, utilities, and
railroads. A few examples of our large client base include AT&T,
Verizon, PG&E, and state and federal governments.
As an Administrative Assistant, you will also help the
management staff by setting up for meetings, making
appointments and managing calendars.
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Working for DPS Telecom
If you want more from life than a 9-to-5 job, DPS Telecom will give you tough challenges, high
expectations, and exceptional opportunities. We hire only potential leaders who want to excel from
Day One. We can teach you basic leadership and trade skills — we're looking for people with the
drive and desire to succeed.
DPS Telecom provides excellent career opportunities for new graduates and current students.
Apply the knowledge and skills you acquired during your educational career to a rewarding career
at DPS Telecom.
DPS Telecom is an equal opportunity employer and
offers competitive salaries and first-class benefits,
including health, vision, dental, life insurance, employee
carwash program, and an employer 401(k) plan.
This is your chance to join the team that protects the
world’s networks. DPS Telecom creates technology
that supports essential modern communications — the
landline and cellular phone networks, the Internet, and
911 service. DPS Telecom products guarantee the
reliability of telecommunications networks on all seven
continents. Your work here will literally help millions of
people.
Join a world-class, career-building company without
leaving Fresno. At DPS Telecom, you'll work for a
highly respected, industry-leading company and solve
problems for national and global clients.
Why DPS is a Great Place to Work?
We asked our staff and this is what they had to say:
“This is a great introductory position. As an office support employee, you will be introduced to a
variety of jobs within all aspects of the company. This position offers a lot of opportunity for you to
grow and expand your business skill set.”
-RAM, Office Support Manager
“The office support position with DPS Telecom has given me the opportunity to grow as an
administrative professional. The work environment here is exceptional. But what I enjoy the most is
the diversity of the projects I work on, on a daily basis.”
- RH, Office Support Employee
CP: Career Guides - So You Want to be an Admin Assisntant - Ver. 2 (04/22/2010)
Our Hiring Process
Are you interested in a position with DPS Telecom? These are the steps in our application
and hiring process:
Submitting Your Resume
Visit our web site (www.dpstele.com/jobs) to View our open positions to find the right opportunity for
you. When you find a position that matches your skills, submit your resume to apply for the position.
Testing (pre-screening)
Testing helps us evaluate your qualifications and potential
for success at DPS Telecom. The test(s) you take will
vary depending on the job you are pursuing. If initial
assessments indicate you are a potential fit, you may be
asked to complete additional assessments.
Interviews
Our interview process varies from position to position.
Applicants may expect interviews via phone, and one-onone with the hiring manager and the department manager.
Applicants can expect to have anywhere from one to 3
meetings with department representatives.
DPS Telecom’s Testing Kiosk
Reference Check
If we're considering you for a job offer, we will contact the references you provided in your
application. If the information we collect is satisfactory to us, we may proceed to make an offer.
Offer
If you are selected for the position, the human resource manager will convey a formal offer. The
offer package will include a comprehensive overview of the compensation package and summary of
benefits.
Drug Screens
DPS Telecom is a drug free employer. If you accept the employment offer you will be scheduled for
a pre-employment drug screen. All offers are contingent on negative/pass drug screen.
Please note: Applicants being hired for certain positions may also be required to complete
additional compliance checks prior to the start date (ie. A motor vehicle record check)
CP: Career Guides - So You Want to be an Admin Assisntant - Ver. 2 (04/22/2010)
About your Pre-Screening Appointment
If you are reading this guide, it’s because you’ve been invited to schedule a Pre-Screening
appointment at DPS Telecom’s headquarters.
We created this guide to give you a general idea of what the Administrative Assistant Position
consists of. The challenges in this guide are designed to help us find out if this position is a good fit
for you.
Things to remember:
 You want to perform at your best during the pre-screening assessments as your results will be
used to determine your fit for the position.
 The challenges in this guide are designed to help us find out if this position is a good fit for you.
 You’ll find step-by-step instructions for completing each the challenge from start to finish.
 The challenge is very basic and straight forward. There are no “trick questions”.
 For better results you MUST read this guide before coming in for pre-screening.
CP: Career Guides - So You Want to be an Admin Assisntant - Ver. 2 (04/22/2010)
What to Expect During your Pre-Screening
Appointment
Step 1:
Meet the front desk staff: The receptionist at the front desk will set you up with the
pre-screening tests.
Step 2:
Complete 1st personality survey- we want to get to know you as an individual.
Information collected from your personality surveys are not used to make hiring
decisions.
Step 3:
Complete Challenge 1: Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Typing
We’ll be evaluating your skill levels using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel; and a
typing test to gauge your speed.
Step 4:
Complete the 2nd personality survey.
Step 5:
Complete Challenge 2: Ordering Office Supplies
We’ll be evaluating your skill levels using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel; and a
typing test to gauge your speed.
Testing Kiosk- Getting Started
The front desk receptionist will provide a copy of this guide along with your applicant ID upon your
arrival.
You will be seated at a kiosk where you will be
prompted to enter your applicant ID and last
name (you must enter your last name exactly
as you entered it on your application).
Upon clicking continue you will be guided
through the tests for the position for which you
have applied.
Please read the instructions on the screen
carefully before each section and press the
continue button at the bottom of each page to
progress forward.
If during testing you experience technical
difficulty do not hesitate to let the front desk
know.
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Challenge 1: Word Processing, Spreadsheets and
Typing- ProveIt Testing Set Up Instructions
As an administrative assistant you will be responsible for typing up meeting notes, entering and
collecting data in spreadsheets, writing emails and correspondence and many other similar tasks.
To accomplish this, you must know how to use word processing software and spreadsheets!
An external window will be launched for this portion of the test. It is very important
that you follow the instructions below to complete this portion of the test
successfully.
Instructions:
Step 1: Click the “Continue” button at the bottom of the
“ProveIt Testing Instructions” page and wait for the
“ProveIt Test Launcher” to start.
Step 2: Select the “Administrative Assistant” group
name and click the “Run Tests” button
Step 3: When the “Candidate Information” window appears enter your applicant ID and click ok.
The system will recognize your ID and auto populate your first
and last name.
Step 4: Follow the instructions on the ProveIt screen until you
complete all three tests (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and
a 1 minute typing test)
Step 5: Once you have completed all three tests a small
window will appear that says “Testing Complete” click ok on
this window.
Step 6: Close the “ProveIt Test Launcher” by clicking the red
X on the upper right hand corner, and returning to the kiosk screen. DO NOT CLICK RUN TESTS
AGAIN.
Step 7: On the kiosk window click the “Continue” button at
the bottom of the page so the system can record your results.
Please note: Scoring may take a few moments.
CP: Career Guides - So You Want to be an Admin Assisntant - Ver. 2 (04/22/2010)
Challenge 1: Our Expectations – Word Processing,
Spreadsheets and Typing
Goal: This challenge will help us assess your knowledge of Microsoft Word Applications, as well as
your typing speed.
Word Processing
You must know how to create and open a document; know how to save the document, format the
text and add images to a document; and be somewhat familiar with mail merge and tables. You can
visit Microsoft’s web site at: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/ to access free tutorials and
practice to improve your skills.
Spreadsheets
You must know simple formulas; know how to create
charts; and format the spreadsheet. You can visit
Microsoft’s web site at: http://office.microsoft.com/enus/help/ to access free tutorials and improve your skills.
Typing Speed
This position requires a typing speed of 35+ words per minute. Check your typing speed for
free online at www.typingtest.com this website allows you to test your typing speed and also offers
tools to help you increase your speed.
CP: Career Guides - So You Want to be an Admin Assisntant - Ver. 2 (04/22/2010)
Challenge 2: Ordering Office Supplies
As an administrative assistant at DPS Telecom you will be responsible for keeping the office supply
closet stocked. We have specific instructions for how to perform this task and to accomplish this
task successfully; you must know how to follow written instructions! We have designed this
challenge to give you a feel for what that will be like.
You will be asked to complete
this challenge at DPS
Goal: This challenge will help us assess your ability to follow
Telecom Headquarters
written instructions.
during your
Your Tasks
Pre-Screening
o Read the information below and follow the instructions step
Appointment.
by step.
It is highly
recommended that
Scenario
you review the steps
Your manager has asked you to place an order for office supplies
in this challenge in
according to the following instructions:
preparation for the
 Order 10 packs of staples
actual assessment.
 Order 3 packs of pens if there are less than 5 packs in the
storage room.
 Order 5 packs of mechanical pencils unless there are
already 5 or more packs in the storage room
 Order 2 packs of pencils if there are less than 5 in the storage room; otherwise order 1
 Request that the items arrive next Wednesday.
You find the following in the storage room:
3 packs of staples
4 packs of pens
7 packs of mechanical pencils
3 packs of pencils.
Testing Instructions
An external window will be launched for this portion of the test. It is very important
that you follow the instructions below to complete this portion of the test
successfully.
1) Once the testing kiosk has launched Word: open the Purchase Requisition document located in
the My Documents.
o There is a sample of what this form looks like on the following page.
CP: Career Guides - So You Want to be an Admin Assisntant - Ver. 2 (04/22/2010)
2) Instructions for completing the Purchase Requisition Form:
a. Requested By: Type Applicant_XXXX Replace XXXX with your Applicant ID (Applicant ID
will be provided at time of test)
b. Department: Administration
c. Date Requested: Today’s Date
d. Type in the “Date Required” per the scenario instructions
e. Determine the quantity that needs to be ordered of each item and complete one line for each
on the form (for item information see Inventory List below)
i. Type in the “Vendor part Number”, “recommended vendor”, “unit price”, and “reason
or purpose” for each line
3) Save the document and exit Microsoft Word and return to the Kiosk screen.
4) Follow the kiosk instructions to proceed.
Use the information on this inventory list to complete the “purchase requisition form”.
Inventory List
ITEM Description
Scotch tape refills
Pencils
Staples
Double sided tape
Mechanical Pencils
Foam Tape
Pens
White Out
Multi-color index cards 3X5
Vendor
Office Depot
Office Depot
Office Max
Office Max
Costco
Costco
Office Depot
Office Depot
Office Max
Item #
569385
116560
116281
550657
115211
617209
116577
738233
308957
Price
$4.80
$0.88
$0.42
$3.24
$0.50
$2.56
$0.31
$3.82
$12.30
UOM
Box
Pack
Pack
Each
Pack
Each
Pack
Each
Pack
CP: Career Guides - So You Want to be an Admin Assisntant - Ver. 2 (04/22/2010)
Finished?
Have you reviewed all of the challenges in this guide? If so, take a moment to congratulate yourself.
Just about everyone dreams about starting a new career, but few people ever work hard to make it
happen. By investing your time and effort, you’ve taken a valuable first step towards becoming a
professional Administrative Assistant.
DPS Success Story
Cara started at DPS as an executive assistant.
Now she’s a member of the DPS sales force as a Quote Tech!
Cara started working for DPS in 2007 as an office support staff
member after graduating from Heald College with an Accounting
Associates. Cara worked for one year in the office support
position. Cara says, "My position as an office support team
member gave me the opportunity to gain experience in a wide
variety of business functions. I gave 110% to every task and
always acted with the company's best interest in mind."
Cara D.
Quote Technician
Cara's hard work in the administrative department did not go
unnoticed. That's why when the Sales Support position became
available, it was offered to Cara. She expressed interest and
was transferred into inside sales. Cara says "I was excited to be
given the opportunity to broaden my DPS skill set; I saw this as
my opportunity to generate more value for the company as well
as myself."
As a Sales Support staff member Cara is responsible for providing
high-leverage support for the Inside Sales staff by developing
high level proposals and other support functions. She says "My
position is fast pace; I am always working on something different.
I really enjoy working at DPS, I feel like I belong to the team."
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