How can you stay current with clerical skills and technologies in Office Administration?

Office Administration requires a lot of initiative and effort to keep abreast with emerging trends and challenges. Hence, continous upskilling and learning is necessary for optimal clerical duties.

Recognizing your strengths allows you to leverage them effectively while acknowledging your gaps presents opportunities for growth. It's like conducting a self-audit to optimize your professional toolkit. Regularly updating and refining your skills in office administration is key in today's dynamic work environment.

Participating in online courses or obtaining certifications in specific office software or technology can also help you stay up-to-date. Networking with professionals in your field and joining professional organizations can provide opportunities for knowledge sharing and learning from others. Lastly, taking advantage of free online tutorials, webinars, and resources offered by software providers can help you stay current with the latest features and updates in office administration technologies.

Being a Virtual Assistant with over 20 years PA experience staying upto date with systems and processes is part of the norm for me, however as a business owner pivoting with the times is crucial. Try not to over complicate things and if it's out of your remit then outsource this part of your business.

Having to be ready and properly prepared for anything my boss will need for the business, being organized, having scheduled every activity and being able to access those tools from my phone helps me be on top of every need. And I do believe standardizing my own processes saves time and energy. Besides that, information can be accessed from the team and know how are tasks being handled and follow up on real time.

You’ll often find that new tech is floating around via different social media platforms. All of a sudden everyone is talking about this new “in thing”. My starting point is typically LinkedIn Learning for various upskilling courses that can be completed in your own time and at your own pace. Set a monthly target of how many hours you’ll dedicate to self-study and then stick to it. And if you’re stuck when trying to find out what new tech is out there and that you might need at some point in your career, look at newly published JDs for roles in your current or prospective field and look to see if any new tech is mentioned as compulsory for the role.

I'd also like to add that enrolling/signing up for courses in community colleges and universities introduced me to some computer programs that I haven't heard of before. There are also students who have background or prior knowledge of newer technology/computer programs and techniques that are applicable in office administration. The combination of enrolling in online courses and in class sessions (learning from other students) are highly recommended.

We live in a wonderful time where we have all the trainings and education available online. A person who has failed to enjoy these fruits will loose his chance of making it great at work.

Joining our professional community is not only an opportunity for growth; it is a privilege. Seeking open feedback and guidance is just as valuable as sharing. Participation with networks that support and encourage learning brings leadership skills. Insight serves as enrichment for the future. Invaluable.

With the availability of various professional communities, LinkedIn has been a decorated work fair. LinkedIn Learning is providing the basis of multilateral career growth through skill development and trainings. Moreover, they have all the professional communities onboard to help discuss and evaluate your skills.

I agree that effective administration of companies and organizations is really important today. Participating into professional associations, therefore, can drive the performance of companies and organizations forward. I think these professional bodies can bring about significant results for administrators and professionals.

Mistakes are costly in office administration and clerical duties. Therefore, it is important to always seek superior support and advice whenever in doubt. Learning is a continuum and mentorship and coaching are vital to learning on the job.

During my career I have enjoyed several mentors. They are people with various backgrounds and experience. They are creative, patient and determined. Their dedication is true and is at work and at home, equally. Their leadership is not shown boastfully but with vulnerability. They are people guiding others with respect. A person that no matter the concern will always listen. A mentor has all these qualities and more. Next time you speak with your mentor - realize two things. You could not have done without them and in turn you are learning to be someone’s mentor. Always take the time to listen carefully. Acknowledge others!

I have had some great coaches but here we have the unlimited supply of professional trainers and coaches who can help you get the right career advice and shall support you with learning and skill development

I have seen many become a Star. This platform can give you a chance to become a mentor to many. It's never too late to start and demonstrate the best practices and techniques that make your administration the best.

One thing I found helpful is taking up challenging roles and positions to that help develop professional competence in office administration and clerical duties irrespective of the whether the pay is juicy or not. This strategy will help prepare you for more lucrative and tasking roles in your career.

I agree but it’s always important to consider your career path and field of work. Staying with the trends that are in your line of work are most important than just getting a course or skills that you might never use.