Education for Office Assistant Jobs

Although not always necessary, getting an education can help you better prepare for office assistant jobs (Click here).

Although most positions for office assistants are considered to be entry-level, some candidates choose to earn an office assistant certificate, which can help you learn more about the job and give you an edge over the competition when it comes to getting hired.

Students pursuing an office assistant certificate - whether in an online education or traditional format - will better develop the typing, communication, and computer skills needed to succeed in this type of job. Some programs may require you to have certain skills before beginning your education.

According to an article by Education-Portal.com, some popular courses you can expect to take include:

• Keyboarding - Learn how to type with speed and accuracy, how to use key-touch techniques, and how to format various documents.
• Office procedures - Teaches you how to file, plan meetings, order supplies, use basic office technology, and deal with customers.
• Business communications - Learn fundamental and advanced writing skills, including punctuation, spelling, grammar, and business vocabulary.

Once you obtain an office assistant certificate, you can begin applying for a variety of office-related jobs, such as receptionist, secretary, or office assistant. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of secretaries will grow by 11 percent by 2018.