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So I'm trying to explore all of my future career options at this point. Recently, as I thought about obtaining a business degree (whether AS or BBA/BSBA) and becoming an office manager/administrator. If anyone can help out here, I have a few questions.
1) I have no management experience and no experience working in an office. However, I've read on some websites that on-the-job training is provided for office managers in many companies. Is this true or not? Will I need some experience before applying?
2) What are the basic education requirements for this job? I've read many places that it's a high school diploma, but the job listings on Indeed and Monster say otherwise. Craigslist, however, is a completely different story.
3) Speaking of job boards, there are always very, very few postings on them for administrative positions. How do I go about getting a position as an office manager when it's near impossible to find them online?
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,930 posts, read 81,996,937 times
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Every office manager I have ever known has been an experienced administrative professional (formerly called secretary) that was promoted to supervisor of other admins with the title office manager. I suspect that what you are looking for is to be the manager of an office, very different and most often a unique title associated with the type of work done there. For example, business office manager, branch manager, or operations manager. Those would likely require 3-5 years as a supervisor in that field.
Promoted from administrative assistant? How long does that usually take? (I know it probably varies, but I mean an estimate works) anyone had an experience like that?
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,930 posts, read 81,996,937 times
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It takes as long as needed for someone to retire or quit for a better job. People I know that have done that have taken as little as 3 or as many as 10 years.
In my experience, it seems an Office Manager gets that position by way of promotion. Do you have any objections to working at a lower-level clerical/administrative job? These positions can lead to an Office Manager position in due time. While you are doing an excellent job at the clerical position, I recommend you also do the following:
- Demonstrate you can work with all types of people in a productive, non-combative way. This means working well with people in lower positions and the management staff.
- Be sure to hone your recordkeeping skills: Take accounting classes, become familiar with how payroll & benefits are administered, take HR classes--believe me there's a lot of HR work when performing an Office Manager role. Often you're the "jack of all trades" especially in a small/mid-size office.
- Become familiar with everyone's role (and the customers you serve) while you work in the clerical position. That way, when you are considered for Office Manager, you can effectively communicate your understanding of the larger workings of the office, your clientele, and the product/service your company provides. It's okay to concentrate on details to do your job, but also hone your "big picture" focus.
Definitely no objections to an entry-level administrative job. What education is usually required for them? I've seen anything from HS diploma to a Bachelor's degree. What's most common?
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,930 posts, read 81,996,937 times
Reputation: 58431
Ours require two years of college, no degree of any kind. Most important is the MS Office skills, especially Outlook, Word, Excel and Sharepoint, a recent addition.
If you have a H.S. diploma, I'd say start looking for anything that will give you experience. Once in, look to further your education if financially feasible. Bachelors will give you a better chance (you yourself will have to determine if its worth it financially) as you'll be able to apply for more positions. But it won't guarantee any jobs since you'll still be competing with other applicants.
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