Being an Office Assistant is a busy job, that involves a range of administrative tasks, such as typing, filing, sorting the post and answering the telephone.
Qualifications and experience
This is an entry-level position in many organisations and no specific qualifications are needed, although employers often look for people with a minimum of grade C passes in GCSE English and maths.
Basic IT skills, such as proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, will be helpful in securing a position. Obtaining a European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) is an effective way to demonstrate competence in this.
While an Office Assistant is often a relatively junior position, employers still favour staff who have some work experience. Temping via a secretarial recruitment agency is a good way to get started and pick up the organisational skills needed to secure a permanent role.
Employment opportunities and salaries
There are lots of opportunities to find employment as an Admin Assistant, as more or less all large companies and Public Sector organisations need them. While the majority of jobs are full-time, there are also plenty of part-time roles available, which may suit people returning to work.
Salaries for full-time positions range from around £14,000 to £20,000 per annum, depending on location, but can be much higher for Administrators who have experience in a specialist sector, such as Law, Accountancy, Medicine or Construction.