Administrative professionals are among the most highly skilled and competent people in today’s workforce. Many are experts in desktop publishing, spreadsheet reporting, budgeting, and Internet research.
Beyond these proficiencies, they possess enhanced verbal and written communication and multi-tasking capabilities, the ability to work in a team environment, and problem-solving skills. Because of their versatility, administrative professionals play an essential role in many organizations.
Although the demand for office staffing is strong now, the future is less certain. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates overall job growth for administrative professionals will decline over the next eight years. Still, opportunities will exist for those who keep pace with new technology.
Ed Meisenheimer, vice president and general manager of Kelly Services, experts in office staffing, suggests, “To increase marketability, become an authority in Web content, multimedia presentations, online meetings, and video conferencing. Specializing in the accounting, insurance, legal, or medical field is another way to widen employment opportunities.”...