Rapidly changing technology and working practices mean that job roles today are very different from those encountered five or ten years ago. Administrators need to learn, unlearn and relearn and be equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills in order to remain competitive in the workplace.

Administrative professionals play a key part in holding a team together and a lot of organizations would fall apart without them.

Professionals who hold well-developed administrative skills help to ensure the organization runs efficiently, and constitute a crucial factor in the management of projects and growth initiatives.

Roles such as office manager, customer service officer and human resources administrator need specific skills to ensure they can support staff and meet the team’s needs. The Robert Half Salary Guide assists in establishing not just what administrative staff should be paid, but also what skills are necessary for the job.

There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ administrative role. Companies are always looking for administrative professionals who fit in specifically with their unique corporate goals and culture. Nevertheless, there are a number of must-have skills that are at the top of the list for most companies. The following skills are what administration employers typically seek:

Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook
Manage databases such as Microsoft Access
Prepare presentations, reports, and documents
Ability to type (keyboard) at 40 to 80 WPM depending on the position
Reporting Skills and Administrative Writing Skills
Ability to manage processes and analyze Information
Excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail
Professional, proactive and self-motivated with an ability to take direction
Problem Solving Skills
Supply Management and Inventory Control
Excellent communicative and interpersonal skills needed along with a “Can Do” attitude!
Ability to multi-task and change direction quickly
Be a team player and be able to work on own initiative in a dynamic and challenging environment
Ability to demonstrate initiative and honed organizational skills
Manage calendars
Book travel
Scheduling facilities and equipment
Routine clerical and organizational tasks
Organizing files
Drafting messages
Mentoring team members
Scheduling appointments and managing social media and general staff support.
Manage small projects and help define new operational strategies.
Negotiate with vendors
Buy supplies, and manage stockrooms
Knowledge of video conferencing, fax, and other office equipment
Conducting research
You are important to your organization’s success and you are in a position to learn management tools, concepts, techniques to be more competent so that you can be effective and enhance your value and credibility to your organization. You can then rise above being what has been perceived as just being “professional” but to the next higher level of being “progressive and competent”.

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Join our Administrative Support and Office Procedures training today
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