Workplace trends affect administrative professionals

Administrative Professionals’ Day is Wednesday, a time to show appreciation to these mainstays of business.

The roles of these professionals constantly evolve in the changing face of office employment.

While some of the more conventional duties that have long been a part of administrative professionals’ jobs remain, many now find their roles expanding. Those who want to stay a step ahead and improve their career opportunities can hone their skills and keep abreast of the changing trends.

A survey sponsored by OfficeTeam and the International Association of Administrative Professionals zeroed in on what hiring managers look for in an administrative professional. The survey found that organizational skills, initiative and attention to detail are some of the most important qualities for support professionals to possess. They also need to have advanced technical skills. Some employers now require office professionals to be skilled at cloud-based apps, social media, database management and even website maintenance.

The following are some skills administrative professionals may need to possess in order to advance their careers.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills (being bilingual is an added feather in one’s cap); Industry experience; Customer-service skills; Filing/billing expertise;

Flexibility and the ability to function well in multiple roles; and

Thirst for knowledge and a desire to improve one’s education and obtain higher certifications.

BYOD policies, which allow workers to use their own computers and digital devices at work, are becoming increasingly common. Administrative professionals may be tasked with establishing protocol for security and maintenance of such devices.

Thanks to these evolving roles, outdated job titles are changing, and salaries are increasing. According to Salary Guide, the average starting salary across the administrative field increased by 3.4 percent in 2015 and continues to grow.