Office and admin jobs
Do you have the gift of gab and run your cell phone bill to extraordinary heights? Do you have a daily planner with scheduled bathroom breaks? If so, office jobs and admin jobs could be the right fit for you.
What do office and administrative assistants do?
Sales support, receptionist, data entry, mail clerk and clerical/office administration are all jobs that are available in this field. Receptionists and administrative assistants answer phones, schedule appointments, order office supplies, make travel arrangements, manage meetings, file documents, send faxes and emails, and perform any special requests from management. Data entry clerks type lists and numbers into a computer and complete forms. They also edit current information, reformat data or proofread entries for accuracy. Mail clerks sort and distribute mail, keep the mail room neat and organized, weigh packages and pieces of mail on a scale, keep a record of all ingoing and outgoing mail, and calculate postage charges.
What are the working conditions?
When working in an office job, you can expect a clean, well-lit, climate controlled environment. Receptionists typically work at a desk in front of a computer and are required to operate a multi-lined phone system. Mail clerks are situated in the mail room, usually in the basement or downstairs area of a company building. Data entry workers may work at a desk or cubicle in front of a computer, in order to perform all typing duties.
Risks in this field include carpal tunnel syndrome due to excessive and repeated typing, neck and back pain from improper body alignment while sitting, eye strain, including blurred and double vision, due to constantly staring at a computer screen, and poor circulation from prolonged sitting. To prevent these problems, make sure you have a comfortable and supportive chair, turn your computer monitor’s brightness down a few notches, and bust out that Jazzercise DVD on your lunch break to get your blood pumping. Come on, we know you have one.
What skills do I need and how can I get promoted?
Educational requirements vary depending on job descriptions, but most employers expect applicants to at least have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Customer service skills and basic computer skills are a must, especially for receptionists and other administrative jobs. These positions are mostly entry-level with little to no experience necessary, and training occurs on the job. Organizational skills are also important, and sometimes employers may need you to type a certain number of words per minute. A polished appearance is crucial in office jobs and admin jobs because you’ll be greeting and talking to the public throughout the day. If your idea of smoothing out wrinkles is hanging your clothes in the bathroom while you take a shower, it may be time to get a real iron. And while you don’t need to resemble a member of the Brady Bunch, you should be pleasant and friendly. However, even the Bradys had their off days—“Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!”
Show me the money!
Wages vary depending on location and job description, but most office jobs typically start out at about $10-12 an hour. Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance may be offered after 90 days of employment. For more specific information on administrative job wages, check out wage calculator to determine pay in your neck of the woods.