This is a dumb question. I haven't worked in an office in like, um, ten years. What programs should I learn?
I like!
No thanks!
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22 commentsReplies
Angus MacSmitey said, (95 days ago)
You're not really gonna need much more than that at most offices. And if they have any proprietary or super-important software that you MUST know, they will probably attempt to train the Hell out of you -which would be boring as all get out, but by the end you'll either know the program or have lots of notes to consult.
Don't sweat it, I say.
bizzy said, (95 days ago)
Hmmm... what's your job title?
I've been an admin assistant for 3 years and everything I know I learned while on the job.
EXCEPT mail merge... I still can't for the life of me figure that shit out! Well, I can, but I always mess it up somehow. :[
kmon said, (95 days ago)
I don't have a job yet.
But, I want to be prepared when I do! It's weird moving out of the classroom!
Thanks guys for the tips!
ilikedginger said, (95 days ago)
Just all the Office programs. Sometimes like, Oracle and stuff, but it's all fairly easy to figure out.
ilikedginger said, (95 days ago)
Also, once you figure out mail merge, it makes so many things so much more convenient and nice, if you have to say... send letters to 400 different dealers, with about 15 different pieces of different information in each letter.
om nom nom said, (95 days ago)
powerpoint is in office too. it's not hard or anything but just saying.
kmon said, (95 days ago)
Powerpoint is easy peasy.
So, what is actually *in* Office? I can go look it up, but....
beccah. said, (95 days ago)
If you can pick up some accounting software (peachtree, great plains, quickbooks, jd edwards) you can prolly get into an accounting support role, and those pay better (here) than your standard administrative assistant... now, if you're an EAA, nm. :)
image_imago said, (95 days ago)
Excel, some database stuff is a plus but not needed for most jobs. Contact management software. Learn Outlook pretty well and it'll help.
kmon said, (95 days ago)
Thanks guys. I feel much better about this. Most of these programs I've at the least seen and used once or twice.
ilikedginger said, (95 days ago)
From what I've experienced, employers have very low expectations as to what your abilities are. My last job was so excited when I knew how to print an envelope without them telling me.
kmon said, (95 days ago)
I could be very very wrong, but I think the employers/jobs I'm applying for will care. It's for stuff like director and stuff, which, at the least, sounds important.
ilikedginger said, (94 days ago)
I think they care, but a lot of the people hiring are OLD and not as naturally tech-savvy as younger people may be.
office.