A Career in Office Management: 5 Things You Need to Know

Office managers are the backbone to any business or company. They play a critical and crucial role in the operations and growth of the company. While new and old businesses continue to grow and flourish, the need for experienced office managers arises.

Before you jump into a career in office management, it is important that you make sure you are cut out for the job. Office managers do a lot within the company and their role is vital to the success of the company as well.

If you enjoy being in an office setting, helping a business run smoothly without any hiccups, and multitasking, then a career in Business Office Administration may be right for you.

Below, we will help you determine if you have just what it takes to be an office manager by discussing the five things you need to know to stay ahead in the field.

ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

Any amateur or experienced office manager can tell you that organizational skills are a MUST in this field. Office managers have many responsibilities and they wear many hats, which means they need to be able to decipher between which items are high and low priority to ensure efficiency within the company.

Some of the key organizational skills you should have include:

• Space management
• Inventory management
• Document preparation
• Time management
• Records management
• Decision making abilities
• Scheduling
• Ability to prioritize items

MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Just like you need organizational skills, you will need management skills too. Since office managers can work with many staff members, they must be able to do so in a professional way.

Some of the key management skills you should have include:

• Leadership ability
• Communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem assessments and solving capabilities
• Ability to work as and with a team

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Computers, phones, fax machines, and technological equipment are used by office managers and help them with their day to day tasks. It is important that you have a general understanding of software, hardware, and other basic concepts surrounding technology as you will use it.

Some of the key technical skills you should have include:

• Ability to use Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Ability to use a fax machine, copier, and printer
• Understanding of computers and smartphones
• Ability to install basic software and run the programs

FINANCIAL SKILLS

While you do not need a degree in finance to be an officer manager, there are times when you will be responsible for budgets within the company or keeping a record of cash that comes in and out of the front office. It is important to have a basic understanding of finances, which includes arithmetic and basic math.

Some of the key financial skill you should have include:

• Ability to create and track both expenses and inventory in spreadsheets
• Budgeting
• Expense reduction
• Revenue generation
• Ability to create graphs and keep books

DESIRE TO CONTINUE LEARNING

Learning never stops, not even when you graduate. In fact, the best office managers always continue their education and continue to learn new skills. From local workshops to conferences, you can pick up new skills and apply them to your current position and even stay abreast with the latest in industry standards and practices.

A BUSINESS OFFICE ADMINISTRATION DIPLOMA CAN HELP JUMPSTART YOUR CAREER

Florida Career College offers an exciting opportunity to join our Business Office Administration program. This program is designed to provide you with the skills you need to jump into a career in office management.

Our program will help to prepare you for several career options to include:

• Secretary
• Data entry operator
• Office assistant
• Office manager
• Administrative assistant

Now is a great time to earn your diploma in a field that is not only critical to a business but one that can strengthen your skills over time.