7 must-have administrative skills you need to up your game

Workplace skills Business support Career tips Career development Video
7 excellent administrative skills to include in a resume
  1. Microsoft Office
  2. Communication skills
  3. The ability to work autonomously
  4. Database management
  5. Enterprise Resource Planning
  6. Social media management
  7. A strong results focus
Administrative professionals play a key part not only in holding a team together, but even organisations as a whole can fall apart without them. Professionals who hold well-developed administrative skills help to ensure the organisation runs efficiently, and constitute a crucial factor in the management of projects and business growth initiatives. What's more, understanding administration selection criteria examples keeps administrative professionals up to speed with what is required in their role to perform at the best of their ability. Roles such as Office Managers, Customer Service Managers and even Human Resources Managers need specific skills to ensure they can support staff and meet the team’s needs. If you are looking to start your career in an administrative role like an Administrative Assistant, Receptionist or Executive Assistant, or if you are transitioning from another field and want to acquire new skills for the position, continue reading to discover which administrative skills are imperative to thrive in your role. Related: The most in-demand administrative roles  
Administrative skills are a blend of both soft and technical skills. They encompass a wide range of abilities that are essential for effectively managing and supporting the daily operations of a business or organisation, and are often the cornerstone of jobs varying from entry-level to C-suite leadership. This means mastering them can set you up to become a seasoned professional in fields varying from marketing to finance to technology. Many admin skills are considered ‘soft’ skills including communication, organisation, time management problem-solving and adaptability. Other, however, fall under the ‘technical’ banner including computer literacy, data entry, software application knowledge and basic bookkeeping. Both are equally as important, as possessing a combination of these are the backbone of any business. Emma Sestic, Associate Director at Robert Half and specialised business support and HR recruiter says, "When evaluating candidates, I always look for a strong foundation in administrative skills. But it's more than just organisation and time management—it's the ability to keep the engine of the business running smoothly, anticipating needs, solving problems proactively, and communicating effectively. These skills are the foundation of any successful team, freeing up others to focus on their core strengths and driving overall productivity. A candidate with exceptional administrative skills isn't just an asset, they're a force multiplier for the entire company."
Having a good handle on administration select criteria examples, including the following administrative skills will not only enable you to perform your duties efficiently and effectively, but will aid in developing your career - making you a more desirable candidate for employers. Here are the most sought-after administrative skills for any top candidate in this field:
A strong background in all Microsoft Office programs is crucial for those in administrative roles. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook form the basis of many business communications and processes. The amount of experience in each program that is required for a role will depend largely on the level of the position. For example, an entry-level Administration Assistant may only be required to update existing documents and create basic reports, while an Office Manager might need to create new projects, procedures and templates. Overall, knowledge of Microsoft is therefore the most important criterion in the recruitment of administrative employees.
Communication is a longstanding must-have skill for those in administrative roles. All types of communication are vital for this type of professional: oral communication for meetings and phone calls, writing capability for correspondence that needs to be sent internally and externally, and strong listening skills to follow instructions. It's important for any administrative professional that they can communicate with various parties, such as clients, suppliers, colleagues and senior management which makes well-developed communication skills an absolute must-have competency. Related: Why are effective communication skills vital for admin roles?
In addition to being able to show initiative, the ability to work autonomously is well regarded in roles that provide business support. These positions often require a professional who can process and analyse information, as well as take a series of instructions and create efficient actions. If support staff have to go back and make corrections where they went wrong, or struggle to complete tasks in the given time, they may end up slowing down the entire project.
The ability to manage databases is a highly desired skill. Of course, the database of choice will depend on the programs the business uses. Employers will look for someone who is confident in their own ability and who isn’t afraid to pass this on to other staff members. Making sure data is being collected and managed in the central data management system will be a priority for many.
New technology has changed the way we work on a daily basis, and exploring technology is definitely key to moving forward within a business. A creation of this technological change, is Enterprise resource planning (ERP). This is a common business process management software that provides one central repository for all information to improve the flow of data across a business. Administrative professionals may be expected to be familiar with ERP software to develop custom report cards. Common ERP software for businesses include financial and payroll software such as Oracle, SAP and Pronto.
Businesses are now heavily reliant on communicating with their customers, and those customers are generally found online. It is therefore becoming increasingly important for businesses to have a social media presence in order to connect and engage with audiences on a personal level. Common social media programs for businesses include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+. This role typically falls to administrative support employees, who can help turn what was once a faceless company logo on a website into a series of conversations via social media. These methods of communication can help foster the business’s public image, create a voice its customers can relate to and enable creating connections with potential clients.
At the core of every support role within an organisation is a number of results that need to be achieved at any given time. Unlike other roles, the effectiveness of support roles cannot always be measured in terms of investment and there are other ways to prove employee value. As companies value tangible results, it is important to be able to present output and outcomes so employers have a clear view of the added value of the administrative employee at hand. Related: What are the best-paying jobs in administration?
These are the administrative selection criteria example and the must-have administrative skills that an organisation requires from its administrative support staff in today’s market. So if you want to stay ahead of the game and make sure you are ticking the right boxes, embrace these skills and ensure you state your value. On top of these skills mentioned, the Robert Half Salary Guide lists these skills as high in-demand, which are worthwhile including on your resume if you possess them: Prioritisation Adaptability Sense of Initiative Collaboration Communication Positive Attitude CRM Companies are looking for admin staff who have an immediate impact on business productivity. Candidates who already have relevant experience, especially in the appropriate industry, therefore have an advantage in the selection process. Skills are a form of currency in the working world and by identifying the most in-demand administrative skills, you will be able to dedicate yourself to homing each of these skill sets thereby increasing the chances of getting hired and succeeding in your position.
It doesn’t have to stop here. Pursuing further education or certifications can open up additional career advancement opportunities for talent in all fields wanting to improve their admin skills. Throughout one’s career, options include: Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration - A business administration degree can provide a solid foundation for a wide range of management roles. Certifications - Consider certifications in project management (PMP), human resources (PHR or SPHR), or other specialised areas of interest. Career advancement in the administration also goes beyond education and can involve: Networking - Build relationships with colleagues, managers, and professionals in your industry. Networking can lead to new opportunities and career advice. Seeking mentorship - Find a mentor who can guide you in your career path and provide valuable insights. Continuous learning - Stay updated on industry trends and new technologies to remain competitive in the job market. By proactively seeking opportunities, continuously learning, and building a strong network, professionals can create a rewarding and successful career path with diverse options for advancement while enhancing their administrative skills.
DID YOU KNOW: Robert Half is a leading recruitment agency that specialises in the placement of highly skilled business support and office administration professionals. Robert Half has the resources, reputation and knowledge to connect qualified administrative professionals with businesses looking for talented candidates. Contact us today to find out how we can help you find the right role for you.
How can I improve my administrative skills? The cornerstone of administrative work is time management. You can master this by prioritising tasks and setting realistic deadlines, using tools like calendars and task lists to stay organised and avoiding multi-tasking where possible. Due to technology playing a crucial role in admin tasks, mastering basic administrative software and learning new ones can improve your skills. To improve your communication skills you can practice active listening, improve your written communication and hone in on verbal communication. Continually investing in your learning and development means you can excel in your administrative role and contribute significantly to your team’s success.   What questions should I expect in an interview about my administrative skills? What appeals to you about office admin jobs? What do you find most challenging about office admin jobs in general? Why do you think you would be the best fit for this administrative position? What technologies and applications have you used in your past office admin jobs? Which ones are you most comfortable with? What type of documents or reports have you worked with or been asked to produce? What steps do you take to ensure the materials you produce are accurate and error-free?   How can I demonstrate my administrative skills in a job interview? Match your answers to the job requirements Highlight the main admin skills in your answers by giving examples of time management, organisation, communication, problem-solving and technology proficiency Emphasise soft skills and how you have used them to deal with situations   What are the career advancement opportunities for administrative professionals? Within the admin field: Senior Administrative Assistant Executive Assistant Office Manager Departmental Administrator Outside the admin field Project Coordinator HR Coordinator Marketing Coordinator Leadership and management Operations Manager Business Manager
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