What are the basic qualifications for an administrative role?

morganedge

Are there admin jobs which don't require you to be on the phone?
Lots of admin roles that in my area say ''confident telephone manner required'' etc.

I'd like an office type job where I'm doing a task (emailing for example?) and not talking to people on the phone etc?

What sort of roles might I search for to find such positions?

Mrs_Soup

Admin covers a huge range of activity. I have worked with admin staff who have PhDs and its possible to earn a pretty decent salary if you get on and move up. I don't know that there are any specific quals to try getting- I work in university admin and went into it from being a long term student (it is an area where they tend to take on graduates if available). I had previous experience in retail bookselling so had customer service skills from that and things like word processing from being a student.
You have the customer service side as well from doing care work.

J_i_m

noirist wrote: »

Hello all.

I am a health care assistant and have been for the past 3 years. I want to completely change the area of work I am in. I would like to try finding an office admin or receptionist job.

I'm moving in a similar direction, from clinical health care into admin, and it's taken me just over a year of trying and countless interviews to get a job. So it's a very competitive market right now.

I would suggest looking at NHS admin jobs, as some clinical experience doesn't hurt, although you will have to focus on your transferrable skills and not refer to your clinical activity too much.

If there is any way you can get experience, to help you along the way, I.e. Temping, redeployment etc then do so, because relevant experience always helps.

'Some' people may look down at admin people, but decent administrators are extremely effective organisers and communicators and perform a vital function in any company. Taking away the admin would be like taking the oil out of an engine.

martin2345uk

Hi Noirist,

I got an "admin" job without any relevant qualifications at all when I left uni... I got it through an agency - it started as temping but was made permanent after a few months.

It was at Essex Magistrates Courts admin offices, and I can honestly say that it was my favourite job I have ever had. Sadly it was also the lowest paid which is why I didn't stay forever, otherwise I probably would have done. It was absolutely fascinating.

Don't let anyone tell you "admin" is boring! It doesn't have to be. Just go for it.

EmmyJane_3

Like Martin above, I got an admin job with through a recruitment agency. The only admin qualification that I have is the Business and administration one that you can get through vision to learn. In all honesty, they were more interested in my life experience than my admin experience. Might help doing some volunteering with a charity, doing some admin work for them.

noirist

Thanks to everyone who has replied here!! I appreciate it a lot.

As I already said, I have just sent an e-mail off for a voluntary admin role on Thursdays (one of my days off) from looking on this website:
http://www.bournemouthcvs.org.uk/lookingtovolunteer.asp#

(Obviously it's only for my town but if anyone is interested I've posted it just so you can see - and see what to search for to find a similar site for your own town.)

I was thinking of doing this but you've all convinced me to give it a go because it can't hurt; on my next weekday off I will pop in to the recruitment shops in my town with copies of my CV and will explain to them my predicament.

Hopefully something will come of it, even if not I've not lost anything because I'm re-taking the ECDL soon and will look into that free vision 2 learn course too:

http://www.vision2learn.net/channels/courses/business-and-administration.aspx


I'm feeling a bit more positive now. Thank you everyone!!!

mumcoll

I've been 'only the admin' for years and I love it. It's so diverse - I've worked in recruitment, housing, local government, HR.


In my current job it ranges from copy typing, large mail merges, complicated spreadsheets, databases, to making tea and arranging catering (and serving food).


The main thing you need to start is good working knowledge of (usually) Microsoft Office packages. Most of mine was just self taught. The manager who gave me my first admin role said it was my attitude that got me the job. 'Anyone can learn to type but you can't teach a good attitude'

anamenottaken

noirist wrote: »

Thanks to everyone who has replied here!! I appreciate it a lot.

As I already said, I have just sent an e-mail off for a voluntary admin role on Thursdays (one of my days off) from looking on this website:
http://www.bournemouthcvs.org.uk/lookingtovolunteer.asp#

(Obviously it's only for my town but if anyone is interested I've posted it just so you can see - and see what to search for to find a similar site for your own town.)

I was thinking of doing this but you've all convinced me to give it a go because it can't hurt; on my next weekday off I will pop in to the recruitment shops in my town with copies of my CV and will explain to them my predicament.

Hopefully something will come of it, even if not I've not lost anything because I'm re-taking the ECDL soon and will look into that free vision 2 learn course too:

http://www.vision2learn.net/channels/courses/business-and-administration.aspx


I'm feeling a bit more positive now. Thank you everyone!!!

Best wishes for moving forward.

I've highlighted "will explain to them my predicament"as I just wanted to comment that, in my opinion, it is best to present a change as a positive move forward rather than leaving for a negative regarding your current position.