Building a career in office support can be challenging, as it’s often seen as a relatively flat career path with limited opportunities for advancement. However, with the right mindset and approach, there are plenty of ways to take the next step in your career and achieve your professional goals. Indeed, it’s not unusual for those in the C-suite to have built their career from humble origins in office support. This is because these roles shape the managers and high-level administrators and negotiators of the future!
Whether you work in secretarial and administration, accounts and finance, sales or customer services, here are some tips on how to build a successful career in office support:
1. Set goals and make plans
Identify your strengths and areas for development, and create a roadmap that outlines the steps you need to take to achieve your career goals. Without a roadmap, you’re on a road to nowhere.
2. Take on new projects to develop new skills
A great way to build your career within office support is to take on new projects that allow you to develop new skills and demonstrate your abilities. Volunteer for projects outside of your job description or take on additional responsibilities to broaden your skill set. Not only does this show your current employer what you’re made of, it gives you excellent talking points that demonstrate skills in interviews.
3. Undertake training off your own back
Don’t sit passively, solely waiting for your employer to provide training opportunities. It’s important to take responsibility for your own professional development if you want to choose the direction of your career and take it to the next level. Look for relevant courses, certifications, and training programmes that can help you develop the skills and knowledge future employers will look for – there’s tonnes available free online!
4. Seek out mentorship and networking opportunities
Building relationships with experienced professionals in your field can be invaluable for your career growth. Indeed, it’s often the secret to success. Seek out mentorship opportunities, attend industry events, and join professional organisations to connect with other professionals in your field and learn from their experiences.
5. Consider your next career step
Research job opportunities in your field, talk to recruiters, and assess your skills and experience to determine what your next move should be. Talking to recruitment experts with a strong track record is essential as they can help uncover roles you may not have considered, which could propel your career.
6. Focus on building a strong work ethic
We often advise employers to recruit for the individual fit, because skills can be taught. Building a successful career in office support requires a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence. Focus on delivering high-quality work, meeting deadlines, and going above and beyond in your role. This will build your reputation as a reliable and dependable professional, which is highly attractive to future employers.
7. Maintain a positive attitude
Stay optimistic, resilient, and open to new opportunities and challenges. Remember that building a successful career takes time and effort, but positivity pays off.
Building successful careers in secretarial and administration, accounts and finance, sales, or customer services is what we do! Individuals building a career in office support have chosen wisely as the skills and aptitude they develop pave the way for successful futures. While it can be hard to scale the ranks, it’s often a case of determined planning and focus.
We’re here to help you take the next step in your office support career. Find out more about being a F1rst candidate and upload your CV.
#recruitment #jobs #career# #business #promotion
Our next article will be published in June…. If you have a colleague that would find this information valuable, please forward this on to them or tag them below. For latest updates don’t forget to follow us on social media. LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
