Standing Out in a Crowd of Administrative Talent

You’re applying for an admin role at a company you REALLY want to work for. You’ve done your research, and you know that if you’re offered this job, you’ll take it. So your mind is made up; you’re all in. How can you convince your hiring managers to feel about you the way you feel about them? Here are a few tips that can help you stand out from the crowd and get the offer you’re looking for.

Remember that Efficiency Matters

To get the most from an administrative position, employers typically look for a candidate who can learn the ropes and start contributing quickly. They also seek candidates who seem personally motivated to avoid expensive mistakes. If you present yourself as someone who will learn fast and commit to accuracy from the start, you’ll be seen as a financial asset to the organization. The opposite also holds true: If you come off as sloppy, unmotivated, or uncommitted, hiring you will seem like an expensive decision (and maybe a mistake).

Caring is also an Asset

If you make a mistake, mishandle a file, or leave a trail of typos and miscommunications behind you, do you care? Are you personally concerned by this? Are you interested in amending your blunders and learning so you can avoid them next time? Or do you instantly forgive yourself and shrug them off? Both are fine, and both are simply a product of your personality (honestly, sometimes the second person is more easygoing and pleasant to be around than the first), but know which category you fall into. Use that knowledge to your advantage during the selection process.

Show off your Tech Skills

What qualifies as a “tech skill”? Almost everything. Identify each individual task you perform on a computer and be ready to list and describe that task as a distinct skill set. Create a list (in your mind or on paper), and add to that list every design program or editing tool, every coding language, every project management platform you’ve ever used, and every widget you’ve ever used for scheduling, budgeting, and data management. Every skill is valuable, but not if your employers don’t know you have it.

A Professional Demeanor goes a Long Way

Stand up straight and control your voice as if you’re addressing the board of directors…even when you’re just saying hello. No frayed or stained clothing, no mumbling or slouching. Everything about you should be sharp and crisp, and nothing should waver or betray a sense of self-doubt. This includes your words (spoken and written), your facial expressions, and the thoughts that you choose to disclose or keep confidently to yourself. Not everything needs to be shared. When you don’t wish to share, don’t. When you do, share fully and clearly.

For more on how to land the admin job you’re looking for, contact the career management pros at Extension.