Administrative skills and qualities are required to keep an office organized and running. Professionals who have these skills and qualities can quickly change priorities and handle challenging situations to support other employees.
Both hard and soft skills are required to succeed in administrative roles. Continuously developing these skills can help you grow your career as an administrative professional.
Discover five skills and qualities employers seek in administrative roles.
Organization
Handling multiple tasks at once requires strong organizational skills. Examples of organization include:
- Appointment setting
- Travel arrangements
- Sorting and delivering mail
- Calendar management
- Project management
- Scheduling
- Event planning
- Multitasking
- Creating email templates
- Writing memos
- Organizing office equipment
- Creating manager itineraries
- Inventory maintenance
- Record keeping
- Filing
Time Management
Ensuring everything gets done throughout the day is essential for administrative roles. Examples of time management include:
- Strategic planning
- Goal setting
- Prioritization
- Prediction
- Planning
- Delegation
- Resource management
- Stress management
Communication
Effectively communicating with employees, HR, executives, vendors, and clients is required. Examples of communication include:
- Verbal interactions
- Active listening
- Writing
- Editing
- Proofreading
- Clarifying complex information
- Phone etiquette
- Email etiquette
- Public speaking
- Presentation skills
- Constructive feedback
Computer Skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, bookkeeping software, project management tools, and other relevant technology is important for administrative roles. Examples of computer skills include:
- MS Word
- MS Excel
- MS PowerPoint
- Outlook
- QuickBooks
- Typing
- Transcription
- Document management
- Database management
- Videoconference preparation
- Accounting software
- Internet
- Graphic design
- Web design
- Social media
- WordPress
Critical Thinking
The ability to quickly and effectively make decisions is required. Examples include:
- Creativity
- Analysis
- Research
- Troubleshooting
- Brainstorming
- Collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Conflict resolution
- Mediation
- Employee relations
- Implementation
- Teamwork
Attention to Detail
Focusing on every aspect of a task is necessary for accuracy in administrative roles. Examples of attention to detail include:
- Observation
- Meticulousness
- Patience
- Supervision
- Ability to focus
Autonomy
Taking the initiative and working independently is important. Examples of autonomy include:
- Self-motivation
- Self-discipline
- Adaptability
- Confidence
- Assertiveness
- Professionalism
- Flexibility
- Perseverance
- Training
Customer Service
The ability to communicate with customers, understand their issues, and provide resolutions is required in administrative roles. Examples of customer service include:
- Attentiveness
- Empathy
- Product or service knowledge
- Responsiveness
- Friendliness
- Patience
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