Strong administrative skills are the backbone of a well-functioning office. From managing schedules and supporting teams to streamlining communication and improving workflows, these skills help businesses run smoothly. If you’ve been in the same role for a while and are wondering how to grow professionally, now is a great time to sharpen your abilities and take your career to the next level.
Administrative professionals today aren’t just task handlers—they’re strategic partners who play a key role in keeping organizations running smoothly. In this article, we’ll highlight the top administrative skills employers look for and share seven actionable ways you can strengthen those skills to stand out in a competitive job market.
What are the top administrative skills employers value?
Employers look for administrative professionals who can keep operations running smoothly while also contributing to team success. The most valued administrative skills today include:
Organization and time management—Prioritizing tasks, managing schedules and meeting deadlines efficiently.
Communication skills—Writing clearly, speaking professionally and actively listening across teams and departments.
Tech-savviness—Using tools like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom and scheduling software.
Attention to detail—Catching errors, formatting documents properly and following processes precisely.
Problem-solving and adaptability—Staying flexible and resourceful when plans change or challenges arise.
Customer service and interpersonal skills—Interacting confidently with clients, coworkers and leadership.
Data entry and document management—Keeping files organized and inputting information accurately.
Initiative and reliability—Taking ownership of responsibilities and consistently following through.
How to improve your administrative skills
Improving your administrative skills doesn’t require a major career overhaul—just a few intentional steps can make a big impact. Whether you’re looking to stay sharp in your current role or expand your responsibilities, the strategies below can help you build confidence and stay competitive.
1. Pursue administrative training and development
Investigate your company's internal training offerings, if it has any. Ask if your employer would provide tuition reimbursement for an outside development course, conference or certification. Consider the skills you want to develop and whether you can demonstrate how a particular training program will improve your administrative skills, on-the-job performance or contributions to the firm.
Upskill in areas like digital collaboration (Microsoft Teams, Slack), virtual event coordination or AI tools for scheduling and data entry. These are becoming core components of modern administrative skills.
Expand your expertise by taking a course in data literacy, digital project tools or customer service best practices. Even a short class on Excel dashboards or Asana basics can give you a competitive edge in modern administrative roles.
2. Join industry associations to develop your administrative skills
Become active in organizations like the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Participate in committees, attend seminars and other educational events, and talk with your fellow administrative professionals at meetings. Networking, both in-person and online, can help you get out there and connect.
3. Choose a mentor
Find a mentor with strengths in the area you wish to improve and ask if he or she will assist you. If your employer doesn't have an in-house mentoring program, look for individuals inside or outside the organization whose administrative skills you admire.
4. Take on new challenges
If you feel stagnant in your current role, ask your manager about ways you can assume more challenging assignments. Most supervisors will welcome initiative from staff if it adds value to the team. Showing motivation and ambition also may help you stand out as a candidate for promotion. You might offer to support project management tasks, assist with internal reporting, organize shared files or help manage timelines using tools like Trello, Smartsheet or Excel. These experiences build modern administrative capabilities that go beyond calendar management.
5. Help a nonprofit
If you can't do more at your company, consider possibilities outside the office, such as charitable organizations. These groups may be receptive to your interest in supporting them, and you might find mentors who can help you expand your abilities and knowledge. By volunteering on committees or for leadership roles, you can develop administrative skills that not only benefit the organization but are also applicable to your paid job.
6. Participate in diverse projects
Listen up during meetings for colleagues requesting assistance with special initiatives. This may be your opportunity to expand your skill set by getting involved in other areas of the department or company. Also, offer to help if your boss or colleagues seem overloaded with projects.
Try supporting a cross-functional initiative that requires managing communications, gathering feedback or coordinating documents across cloud-based tools. These tasks build collaboration and problem-solving skills that today’s employers highly value.
7. Strengthen both hard and soft skills
Today’s administrative professionals need a well-rounded skill set to thrive, especially in hybrid work environments. That means sharpening both technical abilities and people skills. Hard skills like calendar management, digital collaboration tools, data entry and file organization help you stay efficient and accurate. At the same time, soft skills like communication, adaptability, time management and problem-solving are essential for navigating shifting priorities and supporting teams effectively—whether you're working in the office or remotely.
Keep in mind that administrative skills are always evolving. Stay curious, stay connected, and look for new ways to add value—that’s how you turn a good administrative role into a great career path. Also, stay on top of trends by reading industry research such as the Robert Half Salary Guide that discusses developments in the administrative field. You'll help ensure you're staying ahead of the curve rather than scrambling to keep up.
