Skills Needed In The Administrative Occupation:
When you decide that you are going to apply for administrative jobs, it helps if you can use a 10-key by touch, type more than 50 words a minute and you should be able to use many of the basic Microsoft programs, like Microsoft Word and Excel. The better skills you have in these basic functions, the better you will do in testing for these types of jobs. Because many of these basic skills are constantly used in all types of jobs in administration, it helps to have these basic skills and it helps to have computer knowledge in other popular business software programs, if possible.
In addition, many of the top positions require the additional skills like putting together Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, using graphic art or publishing programs to help put advertisements and printed matter together for the company and other computer skills in accounting or specialty programs will make you a top contender. Essentially, the more computer programs you are able to learn, the better your chances at landing some of the higher-paying jobs in the administrative occupation.
You also need to be able to display good proofreading and communication skills because you might be answering phones, typing letters and interacting with customers. If you have had any customer service or telephone soliciting experience, this might be helpful for use in securing administrative jobs. An ability to multi-task and be organized is important, so any skills in proper filing systems, time management courses and previous experience in meeting deadlines are always good accomplishments to point out on your application or during an interview.
Finding The Best Jobs In Administration:
When it comes to the top-paying jobs in the administrative field, there are specialty job board websites that can offer the best jobs in the field. Most of the classified ads will be entry level positions, but the higher paying positions will require more skills and employers will try to narrow the field, if they can. Because there is a wide range of experience levels and skill-sets involved with these positions, it is a matter of the particular type of jobs you are qualified for and interested in.
Many employers realize that the most skilled and professional administrative assistants might have previous experience, but they also realize that the classified ads in the newspaper have a habit of attracting those that can't find anything else in clerical work. The best jobs in administration will be working with upper management and sometimes, you might have to consider working your way up the ladder, depending on the occupational segment or industry you are most interested in. It helps to know as much as you can about the companies that are hiring and find out how you will fit into the organization. This can help you find the job you will like best and help you find a better match, when it comes to the industries you are most interested in. If you don't have a preference, a specialized job search board for the administration field can be a good place to start.
What To Expect From Jobs In Administration:
You can expect that some jobs in administration might be data entry, while others might involve heavy phone work. Many of the back office processes include things like preparing letters and invoices, writing out checks for bills, scheduling appointments or data entry of customer information and sales records. Because these jobs can involve a variety of tasks, there are many areas of support that an administrative assistant can anticipate. The more skills you have in a variety of areas and the more flexible you are, the better you will like the positions because you never know what to expect, when it comes to some of the tasks you might need to perform. You just have to think of the administrative positions as a support team for those that have other management tasks to perform.
