By working as an office administrator, you would be responsible for the effective running of an office, being involved in paperwork, as well as answering the telephone.
Who can I work for?
Most businesses have an office administrator, which is why it's one of the most widely found jobs.
Where and when can I work?
Most office administrators work office hours, mainly Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm. However, some work longer, depending on the type of company they are employed by.
What can I earn?
Salary for an office administrator is normally between £13,000 and £19,000, increasing with experience, although it's unlikely salary will exceed £27,000.
What are the benefits?
Your salary could increase as you take on additional responsibility, such as being the health and safety officer for the office.
Are there chances of promotion?
As a result of an office administrator role normally being the first level of entry into an office, there's sometimes the opportunity to be promoted to a secretary or personal assistant.
What will I be responsible for?
You could expect your responsibilities to include anything from opening the office post to filing, as well as carrying out other daily tasks such as photocopying and faxing. Many office administrators also answer all external emails, forwarding these to the appropriate people within the team. Responsibilities can also extend to typing letters, arranging meetings, ordering stationery and arranging transport for external staff meetings.
What qualifications do I need?
To work as an office administrator, it's beneficial to have GCSE Maths and English as a minimum, with anything else a bonus. It's not unheard of to be asked to undertake a spelling and grammar check during an interview for an office administrator role, as you need to have a high level of both spoken and written English.
Do I need any experience?
There's no specific type of experience needed to be an office administrator, although experience of working in an office environment will help.
What attributes are needed?
If you're a good communicator, organised, efficient, have good attention to detail and don't mind occasionally working on your own, then an office administrator is the job for you.