According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 18 million Americans work in office administration roles. And there are many other roles that demand excellent office administration skills.
Some of these roles are in the business, financial, law, and cyber industries. But these skills are also useful in the arts, entertainment, and healthcare industries too. They are transferable and essential to many career paths.
So, what administrative skills are employers looking for on resumes? Here is a list of the top ones to work on.
1. Computer Skills
In the 1960s – 1980s, typing skills were essential to an office-based career. Today, office workers need to have exceptional computer skills. If a role does ask for good typing skills, around 50 words per minute with 100% accuracy is ideal.
Often, job advertisements will list specific programs they need their workers to know. Here are some examples:
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
- Google (Docs, Sheets, Drive, etc.)
- Adobe Creative Cloud programs (if you work in a creative field)
Companies may want their workers to be able to use a specific operating system like Windows or Mac. Here is a resource to learn about hands-on computer training.
2. Time Management Skills
Most offices have strict schedules. Projects have deadlines, meetings start at specific times, and the working day begins at the same time, too.
Having time management skills is essential to working in an office. Some people like to “lose themselves” in a project and forget about other commitments. This is not ideal in a collaborative and co-working environment like an office.
3. Organization and Filing Skills
Organizational skills are some of the most important office administration skills. As with time management, offices have systems in place and every worker needs to stick to the same methods.
You will be a desirable employee if you can oversee database management and have excellent filing skills. Not only physical files but computer files on a shared network, too.
4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Offices are about collaboration and teamwork. Employers value those who have excellent interpersonal skills.
This means you need to be able to communicate via email, phone, and face-to-face with colleagues of varying seniority. Being able to give presentations and communicate to a room of people is also a big plus.
5. Attention to Detail and Research Skills
Research skills are very desirable office administration skills because it is a common task. Many office administrators and other office workers need to source and compile data for reports.
Employers are looking for people who can work by themselves to problem solve and find the right materials and information. They are also looking for workers who can spot mistakes and go the extra mile to produce detailed work.
Use Your Office Administration Skills to Your Advantage
Even if you do not want to be an administrator, office administration skills are necessary for many office-based roles. By improving your existing skills or learning new ones, you will increase your chances of getting hired.
Check out our other business articles for more tips and advice!
