MidLifeCareerChange.co.uk

Have What It Takes To Work In Administration?

Behind every business success you can trace the work of strong and proficient administrators. Their duties vary hugely, depending on the size and structure of the team they're working with. You might be looking at clerical work for the first time. It could be that you were in admin, but have been away for a couple of years. Or would you like to develop admin skills to bolster your existing skill-set? You'll find a terrific range of training and re-training options are available to fulfil all these needs.

First Things First... E-Learning Courses Can Help...

Administrators support businesses at all levels, from the junior clerical assistant to the management executive.

Knowing how to use a computer is of prime importance to the admin or clerical worker. For example, you'll be expected to deal with emails, work with Microsoft Word and Excel (at least) and know your way around the internet.

There are a great deal of course providers who advertise online if you need more training in any of these areas. Investigate what the different training companies can offer you.

Have a look for example at how two or three that are featured here might vary on price, delivery of teaching and certifications offered. A quick tip - Press Ctrl and D at the same time and you can bookmark this or any other webpage for easy reference.

Alongside good computer skills, a newcomer to clerical work will need additional organisational skills. Look for vocational courses where you think you may need to improve - subjects covered include business writing and telephone skills, admin systems, filing, legal documentation etc.

Moving Onwards and Upwards

If you wish to progress your career quickly, then it's advisable to retrain for additional certifications alongside building your work experience. Consider intermediate training as an investment in your future, as it will always pay off in the end. When everyone has demands on your time, it's easy to get stressed. Time management courses can be extremely useful for the overstretched administrator. Your written work must also be of a high standard, as what you send out represents how people view the company. Short courses on commercial writing skills can be very beneficial.

Strive For Excellence

Those aiming for top jobs in administration must be prepared to embark in on-going training whilst building up their working experience. Naturally you'll have got the foundations under your belt, but top jobs ask for much more than that. Having the ability to handle a variety of different business situations will significantly increase your value and so enable you to command a more generous salary.

"If you don't climb the mountain, you can't view the plain." - Anon.

Additional Progress

On-going advanced studies should be considered a pre-requisite for the ambitious administrator. Try working through some of the training concepts that follow to widen your horizons...

Stress Management

Learn how to handle stress and avoid negative thinking and behaviour patterns. Extend your productivity by learning more sophisticated methods to problem solve.

Time Management

Find out how to compartmentalise your time. Ascertain the best working methods for both your everyday tasks and random assignments. By implementing the right systems and learning what to do in what order, you'll become vastly more productive and satisfied with your output.

Dealing With Negative In The Workplace

Understand the power of good listening skills and positive telephone procedures. Find out how to calmly work through conflict and deal effectively with other people's frustrations. Master the win-win situation.

The Effective Communicator

Find out how to deliver clear unambiguous messages to everyone you wish to communicate with. Be an effective listener. Use body language and good eye contact to establish rapport. Improve your business writing style and techniques.

You could focus your attention into one specific area as your career develops. The following are just a few of the many areas you could get into: Change Management, Integrated Office Systems, Project Management and Business Law.

Inactivity Serves No Purpose

Doing the research costs nothing, and you may just find exactly what you're looking for! Whatever your ambition level, if you're well organised, can take instruction and be left to deal with it, and have a confident and pro-active work ethic, you'll sit very comfortably in an administrative role. To paraphrase Rudyard Kipling: "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs..." you'll be a great commercial asset in any business arena.