By: Karen Antaramian Gilbert
Recent growth in our economy is often heralded by the high demand for technology professionals. As we trend further into 2014 with accelerated job growth, it is important to highlight administrative support positions that go along with strategic staffing plans and goals. As a recruiter in Boston, we are seeing many trends.
Here are three of the major trends that will affect administrative positions throughout the next 12 months:
1. Administrative Opportunities Are Growing. As workloads are growing, this is translating into new job possibilities for support staff. Companies are not only filling vacancies but also creating new administrative positions that go along with specific technology applications. While this creates excessive demand, hiring managers want people who have developed skill sets that will fit in on day one. Specialties such as healthcare, human resources (HR) and customer service are seeing an upswing in hiring activity. Companies are adding HR staff to support their expanding workforces, while customer service is a core function to firms as they try to gain and keep new business.
2. Skill Sets Stand Out. Managers know just what they’re looking for when filling administrative positions. These positions typically begin with a strong foundation in technology. This goes beyond just being proficient with the basics of Microsoft Office and means having knowledge of more advanced features as well. Familiarity with social media is growing in importance as businesses leverage their presence on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus. Hiring managers are looking for stellar communicators. Applicants must display strong verbal and written communication skills, and a commitment to exceeding expectations. There is also demand for multitasking abilities. Supervisors want to be able to give administrative staff a number of projects and know that all will be completed correctly and on time.
3. Salaries for Administrative Positions Reflect Demand. Overall starting salaries for administrative jobs are expected to increase 3.3 percent in the U.S. through 2014. Employers are also looking at tweaks to benefits, flexible work schedules, investments in training and offering health and wellness programs.
Are you an administrative professional looking for a new opportunity or a client seeking quality HR and administrative support? Contact me at kgilbert@kingbishop.com, find me on LinkedIn or connect with me on Twitter. @kare8888.
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