What do you do if your office administration skills are becoming outdated?

My main skills need to be with MS Word which I think has changed very little since the 1990s! However, having started my business 18 months ago, I've assessed my skills against other virtual assistants and picked up the ones most relevant to helping my clients, including Canva and Xero.

When I started my business, I quickly realised there were countless new software packages I’d never heard of, let alone knew how to use. However, I’ve discovered that my strong foundation in office software and the ability to navigate most CRMs once you understand the basics has been invaluable. To stay ahead, I dedicate time each week to learning new software relevant to my services. This commitment to continual improvement is key to delivering the best support to my clients.

In situations like this, it is best to upskill and reskill by taking online courses on Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning. Additionally, attending workshops and conferences helps stay updated on industry trends and best practices. Certifications are also crucial, as taking certification courses like Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or Microsoft Office Specialist is essential. Lastly, reading industry blogs and publications is vital to stay informed about new tools and technologies.

?? Review your job description and performance evaluations to pinpoint weaknesses. ??? Gather feedback from colleagues or clients to understand skill gaps. ?? Use online self-assessment tools to evaluate your capabilities. ?? Compare your skills with those in high demand for your position or industry. ?? Familiarize yourself with new software and tools for office management, communication, collaboration, and data analysis.

My main aim will be to conduct a self assessment to identify specific tools and skills that I need to improve on and learn them. I would enroll in Online courses that focuses on my skills . I would seek mentorship from more experienced colleagues who can provide guidance. I will actively apply my newly acquired skills in my daily work to reinforce my learning.

?? Prioritize skills that are relevant and valuable for your role and career aspirations. ?? Consider your preferred learning style, budget, and availability. ?? Explore options like online courses, workshops, books, videos, or webinars. ? Set realistic and measurable milestones and deadlines for your learning goals. ?? Regularly review and adjust your goals as you progress in your development.

? Understand what you need to learn: Have a clear idea of what you want to improve. ? Set realistic goals: Make sure your goals are achievable. ? Set time-bound goals: Set a deadline for your goals. For example, if you want to improve your software skills, you could set a goal to complete an online course within a month. ? Communicate your goals: Share your goals and needs with others so they can understand you and what you're trying to accomplish. ? Practice delegation: Practice delegating tasks to manage your time and accomplish your goals. ? Balance work and life: Make time for your personal interests, hobbies, and relationships, in addition to your professional goals.

Once you have identified the areas for improvement, establish clear, measurable learning goals. These should align with both your current job requirements and the broader direction of the industry. For example, you may aim to improve your proficiency in project management software, cloud collaboration tools, or data analysis. Break down these goals into achievable milestones and set realistic deadlines for completing each phase of your learning process. By focusing on continuous development, you position yourself to stay ahead of workplace demands.

Engaging with colleagues, supervisors, or industry mentors is crucial in staying relevant. Regularly ask for constructive feedback on your performance and seek advice on areas where you can enhance your skills. Participating in professional networks, online communities, or even LinkedIn groups can provide valuable insights and support from peers who share similar experiences. Additionally, enrolling in workshops or certification programs can offer structured learning paths and opportunities for real-time feedback.

? Consulting a trusted co-worker: You can talk to a co-worker you trust about your performance. ? Emailing a former manager: You can email a former manager for feedback. ? Looking for common threads in your performance reviews: You can look for common threads in your performance reviews to identify areas for improvement. ? Seeking the assistance of a mentor: A mentor in your field can help you identify your goals. ? Setting learning goals: You can set learning goals based on your skills assessment and career aspirations. ? Developing a growth mind-set: You can develop a growth mind-set to be willing to learn and try new things.

Seeking feedbacks from your senior colleagyes/supervisors directly on your performance in particular areas (organisation,technical, communication) abilities to attain positive views on how you can grow your competencies.

Use real-world tasks or projects to practice new skills and build confidence. Volunteer for new responsibilities to put your skills into action.

- Take advantage of opportunities within the current organization you work and apply to take on more senior administrative roles like in HR or Project Management to use and broaden your skills and expertise. - Regularly review and assess your skills and see how you improve and upgrade your learning goals by considering Certification courses online that boosts your credentials, can make you stand out. - Network with affluential educators to learn from them.

Practical application of newly acquired skills is essential for reinforcing what you've learned. Look for opportunities to integrate your updated knowledge into daily tasks, whether through taking on new projects, offering to mentor others in your areas of expertise, or experimenting with new tools. By actively practicing your skills, you enhance your proficiency, ensuring that you remain adaptable and able to handle evolving office administration challenges with confidence.

?There are many ways to update your skills, such as online courses, webinars, workshops, books, podcasts, blogs. ?Strong communication skills help you avoid mistakes, resolve conflicts, and give clear directions. ?Office administrators are often responsible for fixing issues in the office. ?As an admin assistant, you are a resource for the whole company, so it's important to use your time efficiently. ?Office administrators are often responsible for catching and correcting issues. ?As an office manager, you should be able to understand and empathize. ?Teamwork skills can help you build relationships with your co-workers. ?Office administrators should be able to analyze data and make decisions based on that analysis.

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Ich versuche mir dann entsprechenden Input zu holen, am liebsten kleine Impulse durch Podcasts, oder auch durch die Plattform Blinkist. Damit bekomme ich einen neuen Einblick und wei? in welche Themen ich mich mehr einbringe.

Formal certifications in new software or skills can validate your proficiency and enhance your resume. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Coursera offer flexible certification options.

You can connect with other professionals in administrative roles to share knowledge and learn about emerging trends. You can also consider gaining expertise in a specific area like project management, HR support, or social media management. This makes you more valuable to employers.