One of the most common complaints that I hear from my administrative colleagues is that they are not taken seriously at work. For me, this is difficult to understand. After all, administrative workers are the lifeblood of any business. Without us, nothing gets done. So how could our employers, who hired us to manage their daily working lives, not take us seriously?

Well, I spent a little time looking into this, and I'll admit, I was a bit surprised by some of the things that I learned. Below, I've listed three reasons that administrative assistants and other administrative personnel are not taken seriously, and what you can do about it if you are experiencing this frustrating work situation.

Dress the part
Many times people in administrative positions forget that in many ways, they are the "face" of their company because they are the first person that people see when they walk in the door. Dress professionally at all times, and people will treat you like a professional.

Act the part
Whether you are answering the phone or talking to your best friend in the office, be sure that your behavior is always professional. Never use slang in the workplace, get "rowdy" or allow your emotions to influence your behavior. Acting serious about your job will lead to your being taken seriously.

Steer clear of "drama"
Workplace drama can make the day fly by. It can also send your professional reputation flying out the window. As an administrator, you have access to lots of information about everyone. Do not allow yourself to fall into the trap of taking advantage of this information. Be discreet. The more trustworthy you are, the more serious jobs and information will come your way.

By making these simple changes, you can change everyone's perceptions and start to be taken seriously in your job.