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Last Updated on April 15, 2020 by Work In My Pajamas
When you’re transitioning into an administrative field from another type of industry, it can be difficult to get your foot in the door.
Here are some tips and strategies to give yourself an advantage when you’re applying for your first administrative role.
In This Post:
Dress the Part
When you haven’t had a job in an office setting before, you may not have an office wardrobe. However, it’s important to go into an interview looking very polished and professional. It can help you to project confidence, and you’ll be more likely to appear like you fit right in despite being new to an office environment. Your clothes don’t have to be super expensive, but they must appear professional, be in good condition, and fit you well.
Become a Notary
It’s helpful for a variety of offices and administrative settings to have a notary present, so completing a notary application and getting accredited can help to make you a more appealing candidate. Real estate sales and rental businesses, property management offices, and banking and financial institutions, and other types of companies all benefit from having a notary on site.
Pursue an Online Certification or Degree
Getting certified in a valuable administrative skill can help to compensate for a lack of experience. Consider an online certification in a frequently used fundamental program like Microsoft Office or specifically Excel. Alternatively, you could go one step further and consider pursuing a degree in a field such as business or business administration.
Ensure that You Have Strong Recommendations
When you’re entering a new field, a prospective employer is more likely to feel good about taking a chance on you when your previous employers can speak well of you. The best approach is to talk with your previous employers about specific information or qualities about your work that you would like for them to convey to somebody making a hiring decision.
