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What does a typical day look like on a job like an office administrator?
I want to have a general idea of the day working as office administrator is
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3 answers
Updated
david’s Answer
Hi, Kimberly,
Good question. The successful office administrator has a difficult job, and the best ones make it look easy. My thoughts:
- the office administrator has little real authority. The management can always override his/her decision, yet management relies on the office administrator to keep the office productive. It's difficult dance.
- sample problem: the copier breaks, but a 100-page proposal in five copies needs to be in mail in three hours
- the key secretary called in sick, but too late for normal backup to be scheduled
- two clerks are disagreeing on the distribution of work
- the senior manager (your boss) stayed out late and never confirmed a new hire, who just showed up for her first day.
- the cleaning crew showed up early to clean the office, but the office staff is still busy.
- you've negotiated a new internet contract, but the boss wants some special features not in the agreement
The above are samples from reality, but good office managers keep things moving. their strength is in building a strong tie to top management.
Good question. The successful office administrator has a difficult job, and the best ones make it look easy. My thoughts:
- the office administrator has little real authority. The management can always override his/her decision, yet management relies on the office administrator to keep the office productive. It's difficult dance.
- sample problem: the copier breaks, but a 100-page proposal in five copies needs to be in mail in three hours
- the key secretary called in sick, but too late for normal backup to be scheduled
- two clerks are disagreeing on the distribution of work
- the senior manager (your boss) stayed out late and never confirmed a new hire, who just showed up for her first day.
- the cleaning crew showed up early to clean the office, but the office staff is still busy.
- you've negotiated a new internet contract, but the boss wants some special features not in the agreement
The above are samples from reality, but good office managers keep things moving. their strength is in building a strong tie to top management.
Thank you!
kimberly
Updated
Catherine’s Answer
Really great question, but in reality there is no typical day as an office administrator.
As an office administrator you will be most successful by building relationships with the top tier managers and decision makers. You will be tasked with the most mundane tasks at times so its best going into the position with an attitude that no request is too big or too small. It's the day to day tasks that will keep you busy and keep your office running smoothly.
Building a rapport with your peers and others in the administrative support role will be extremely helpful such as IT, HR. You will learn to solve problems together.
You will also succeed in this role if you are open minded and never stop learning. As time goes on processes will change, software changes rapidly. You will need to be adaptable to be able to keep up and keep the office humming.
It can be overwhelming at times waking up to many requests each day; but you will feel rewarded when you realize how many people rely on you and how the little things you've done to help them made their job easier.
Never stop learning; keep a positive attitude; don't beat yourself up if little things fall through the cracks. There is always room for improvement.
Good luck to you and keep smiling!
As an office administrator you will be most successful by building relationships with the top tier managers and decision makers. You will be tasked with the most mundane tasks at times so its best going into the position with an attitude that no request is too big or too small. It's the day to day tasks that will keep you busy and keep your office running smoothly.
Building a rapport with your peers and others in the administrative support role will be extremely helpful such as IT, HR. You will learn to solve problems together.
You will also succeed in this role if you are open minded and never stop learning. As time goes on processes will change, software changes rapidly. You will need to be adaptable to be able to keep up and keep the office humming.
It can be overwhelming at times waking up to many requests each day; but you will feel rewarded when you realize how many people rely on you and how the little things you've done to help them made their job easier.
Never stop learning; keep a positive attitude; don't beat yourself up if little things fall through the cracks. There is always room for improvement.
Good luck to you and keep smiling!
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
Hi Kimberly-
I think it can look a lot different by industry. Some offices you may be looking at primarily answering customer calls if it is a sales type industry.
There is typically a lot of database management and assisting your fellow co-workers. Most of what I do is computer based enter orders, collecting payments, etc..
Depending on where the position in depends on what type of software you are using. Usually they are the person that keeps everyone on the right track and troubleshoots tech issues, customer issues, etc. This role is really specific to industry I think.
Hope that helps!
Shannon
I think it can look a lot different by industry. Some offices you may be looking at primarily answering customer calls if it is a sales type industry.
There is typically a lot of database management and assisting your fellow co-workers. Most of what I do is computer based enter orders, collecting payments, etc..
Depending on where the position in depends on what type of software you are using. Usually they are the person that keeps everyone on the right track and troubleshoots tech issues, customer issues, etc. This role is really specific to industry I think.
Hope that helps!
Shannon