Administrative Career Objectives

Applying and working in an administrative career requires certain personality and career essentials, like being technically savvy, organized, having customer service skills and being able to multitask. As with any job, make sure your work habits mesh well with what the company is looking for.

Typing Experience

There are few administrative jobs that don't require an administrative assistant to be able to type the correct way, with fingers on the a, s, d, f, j, k, l and semicolon keys. Many companies will test an administrative worker immediately to see how fast he can type versus how many errors he makes, so make sure to be prepared for this exam.

Computer Savvy

Computer software programs may differ, but the usual software programs used in an administrative career are Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook. If you are unfamiliar with the basics of these computer software programs, take a computer class or take advantage of computers at temporary hiring company facilities.

Customer Service

Even if the administrative employee is someone's personal secretary, she will probably work closely with upper management. If she is an administrative employee for an entire company, she will have to be able to work with all types of personalities in person and over the phone.

Phone Experience

Learning how to work a switchboard phone may require some practice, but with repetition, it becomes second nature even when the calls are coming in fast. If the administrative worker doesn't have access to one, request someone who can teach the administrative employee what every phone button does before the switchboard phone is live. Learning how to check voicemail should be the first task.

Multitasking

An administrative employee may be required to type a memo, plan a catered lunch, edit an Excel spreadsheet and keep track of his boss's meeting times. He has to be willing to be flexible and execute various tasks at the same time.

Organization

Keep folders, labels, a calculator, pens, paper, file cabinets and a directory nearby because organization is a must. When the administrative employee's boss can't find something, she will be looking to her administrative employee to make it appear.

Security

An administrative employee may act as security for the company, as he will be the go-to person when a stranger comes into the office and needs to speak to a company employee. He may be the person to know when to disregard or accept strange phone calls or the person to alert the office about a fire alarm.