How to Become an Office Boy?
Steps to Become an Office Administrator
If you love being the wheel that turns the office cog, consider a job as an office administrator. You'll help your workplace run smoothly in this challenging role when you follow these steps:Review your skill sets.
Candidates for this exciting role possess certain administrative skills and personality traits. For example, you might succeed if you're:
- Highly-organized.
- A multi-tasker.
- Someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
- Willing to learn on the job.
- An excellent verbal and written communicator.
- Organized.
- A positive role model.
- A worker with strong attention to detail.
- A problem-solver.
Graduate high school.
Most employers require you to earn a minimum high school diploma or a GED certification to secure an entry-level administrative position. Set yourself apart from the competition by focusing your studies on business-related subjects, such as honing your skills with word processing, spreadsheet, and database management software. These programs are a must to be a successful office administrator in today's high-tech world.
If you're not sure about your school's options, talk to your guidance counselor. Businesses want applicants who offer a range of skills, so consider enrolling in advanced mathematics and English courses, or if they're available at your school, sign up for:
- Computer science.
- Business law.
- Economics.
- Accounting.
- Business management.
- Entrepreneurship.
- Marketing.
What type of degree should you pursue to become an Office Administrator?
54% of people working as an Office Administrator earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be an Office Administrator?
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Excellent Customer Service
- MS Office
- Excellent Communication
- Attention To Detail
- Outlook
- VERBAL Communication
- Written Communication
Earn experience in the field.
Many companies hire office administrators that don't have a college education, especially if you have a few years of experience under your belt. Use your high school education to land an office clerk, administrative assistant, or other entry-level position and work your way up the corporate ladder. This opportunity provides vital on-the-job training into the intricacies of how a successful business runs, so you'll gain a practical understanding of what your boss expects of you in this leadership role.
It's also common for a newly hired office administrator to learn additional skills through on-the-job training provided by your employer, particularly in the medical and legal fields. This short-term training is usually just a few weeks long and often covers information about your industry's specific administrative procedures.
Get your associate degree.
Further pad your resume for more challenging positions by earning your associate degree. Consider enrolling in a business administration program to increase career prospects and accumulate the knowledge you need to run an office. Most programs offer coursework that covers the fundamentals of business, such as:
- Human Resources.
- Marketing.
- Accounting and budgeting.
- Business communications.
- Office management principals.
- Event coordination.
Join a networking club or organization.
One of the best additional steps you can take to ensure you're a competitive candidate is building a strong network of colleagues. The American Society of Administrative Professionals is a terrific first-stop for industry leaders to find:
- Training resources.
- Events and webinars.
- Certification programs.
- Community forums.
Office Boy Career Path
Office Administrator
Senior Office Administrator
Adjunct Office Administrator
Total Pay Trajectory
Office Boy Career Path
Related Careers in the administrative Industry
Interested in other administrative careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Office Boy skills. Discover some of the most common Office Boy career transitions, along with skills overlap.