Salaries and Costs
Admin salaries in Woking tend to sit a touch above wider Surrey averages, helped by fast links to London Waterloo and a strong base of employers in and around the town centre. Entry level administrators often land £23,000 to £26,000. Experienced PAs, EAs, and senior office managers can command £35,000 to £45,000. Temp pay rates usually range from £12 to £17 per hour, with premiums for CRM skills, minute taking, or bilingual work. Recruitment fees for permanent hires are commonly 12% to 18% of salary. Temp agency costs are built into the charge rate, which covers pay, holiday accrual, National Insurance, and the agency margin. Clear briefs on duties, systems, and pay bands help recruiters keep fees under control.
Qualifications
Most employers ask for strong Microsoft Office skills, accurate typing, and confident written English. NVQ or City and Guilds Business Administration helps for junior roles. For school or medical settings, safeguarding awareness and a clean DBS check can be required. Roles that touch finance may ask for basic Excel tests and knowledge of purchase orders or invoicing. Recruitment consultants in Woking will often pre test skills, so candidates should be ready to complete tasks and provide right to work documents before interview.
Local hiring challenges
Woking draws commuters who prize quick services to London, which can pull experienced candidates toward hybrid jobs closer to Waterloo. This can stretch time to hire for senior PA or office manager posts. Parking near Woking Station and in the Victoria Way area is limited at peak times, so interview slots and start times need planning. Recruiters advise setting realistic notice periods and offering clear progression to boost retention. Local employers who share work location, hours, and flexibility early in the process tend to secure stronger shortlists.
Common job roles agencies recruit for in this area
Staffing agencies and employment firms place receptionists, administrators, data entry clerks, PAs, EAs, office managers, team assistants, medical secretaries, sales administrators, HR administrators, school administrators, and document controllers. Executive search comes into play for chief of staff or senior EA roles that require board exposure or complex stakeholder work. Temp agencies handle front desk cover, project admins, and seasonal spikes across quarter end and year end.
Temporary, permanent, and contract work
Local recruiters support temporary, permanent, and fixed term contracts across central Woking, Sheerwater, Knaphill, Horsell, Byfleet, and Brookwood. Temps keep operations moving during holidays or system migrations. Contract work suits CRM rollouts and data clean ups. Permanent hiring suits roles with stakeholder depth and line management. Employers can start with a temp to perm route to test fit. Jobseekers can register with an agency to access same week assignments or longer projects.
Regional or geographic variations
Proximity to the A3 and M25 widens the catchment to Guildford, Weybridge, and Camberley, which can help with specialist skills. Candidates near Goldsworth Park or St John’s may prefer roles with parking. Offices near Jubilee Square and Wolsey Place gain footfall for front of house talent. Business parks on Albert Drive and in Sheerwater pull in administrators with manufacturing or logistics experience, while town centre sites attract corporate support staff.
Regulatory and compliance standards
Right to work checks, references, and GDPR compliant handling of CVs are standard for all recruiters. Schools, healthcare, and charities often ask for DBS checks. Roles that manage petty cash or invoice processing may include basic credit checks. Agencies brief candidates on confidentiality, records management, and data handling, which helps new starters hit the ground running.
Key sectors and employers in the region
Woking has strong employers in engineering, healthcare, education, property, and professional services. The town centre hosts shared service teams and customer contact hubs that need steady admin pipelines. Nearby business parks bring roles in procurement support, document control, and project coordination. Local employers value punctuality, customer service, and confident phone manner, which agencies assess at registration.
Hiring challenges
Short notice temp needs are common after sickness or during audit peaks. Recruiters keep vetted candidates on standby for same day cover. Hard to fill posts include senior EAs with board level diary control, bilingual PAs, legal secretaries, and administrators who can maintain ISO documentation. Clear job specs and quick interview windows help secure scarce skill sets.
Market and trend snapshots
Hybrid working remains popular, yet front desk and facilities support often stays on site. Many businesses in Woking ask for two to three days in office. Payroll cut offs and financial year end create spikes for data entry and document scanning. Summer sees higher demand for reception and school office cover. Agencies that share local pay rates and transparent recruitment fees up front tend to fill roles faster.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What are typical notice periods for admin staff in Woking?
One week for temps, and four weeks for permanent staff is common.
How fast can temp cover start?
Same day is possible for reception and data entry once checks are complete.
Do agencies charge candidates to find work?
No, candidates and jobseekers do not pay fees.
What documents should candidates bring when they register with an agency?
Photo ID, right to work proof, address proof, and referee details.
How can local employers speed up hiring?
Give a clear brief, confirm pay rates, and set interview times early.
Can agencies help with part time hours?
Yes, many recruiters place school hours, mornings, and three day weeks.
What admin systems are most requested?
Excel, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and common CRMs such as Salesforce.
Where do admin recruitment agencies in Woking source candidates?
Local job boards, referrals, agency databases, and walk ins near the station.