What is administration?

[think_sweet]

Hi all, have a job interview on monday working in administration at a HR company! What exactly does a job in administration entail? Wasn't given much info in the job description. Thanks x

[CAJ1]

I'm an administrator. You basically do all the paperwork. Typing, faxing, filing, photocopying, keeping databases up to date etc. I also take minutes for meetings, answer phone calls, book accommodation, set up files and do other "general duties". Any other questions just ask and I'll try to help you. Good luck with the interview

[Octavius]

Assuming you mean 'office' administrator.....

http://www.ifst.org/uploadedfiles/cms/store/AT TACHMENTS/officeadministratorjd.pdf

[CAJ1]

Ah yes noknowledge, you're right I did! :)

[squarebear]

Can I ask why you applied for a job without knowing what the job entailed?

[karmgirl]

Cor thats a good salary for that job

[karmgirl]

Lots of biscuits....

[think_sweet]

Thank you all for the help. I saw the job advertised in my local job centre and the job description was very basic asking for a bright, enthusiastic individual to join the admin team of a small company, Great hours, decent pay and very close to home so that is why I applied, i admit i should have done my research first haha! :-)

[karmgirl]

Where is it? I might want to apply too lol ;)

[think_sweet]

I also received a follow up e-mail explaining I will be required to take a visual accuracy test and a computer test (word and excel) as well as an interview! Any ideas what she will ask me to do in the computer (word and excel) test?

[karmgirl]

never mind first 6 months nokowledge i'm still making tea after 4 years!!!

[CAJ1]

It does get better though, when you reach the 5 year mark (like me) you get to make tea and coffee for the Managing Director instead of the general riff raff in the office!

You will probably feel like a general dogs body at some point in this career think_sweet - I do at the moment and really want a career change but I don't know what it is I want to do! But on the other hand some people really enjoy jobs in this area.

[karmgirl]

I'm the same CAJ, I feel like a dogsbody sometimes but the rest of my job is quite laidback and easygoing so I think it balances it out a bit. I think its unfair for one person to be allocated to drink making though, I think everyone should do their fair share and the same with the washing up with is my sole responsibility

[CAJ1]

I'm lucky, I only make tea/coffee for myself now! I occassionally make it for the MD when his PA is off. I remember my 1st job when I had to make tea and coffee for 10 people and wash their cups every morning and afternoon - I hated it! I seem to do more than my fair share of work now and feel my job title should be one of many so I don't feel like it balances out anymore but it used to karmgirl! oh well, it pays the bills :o)

[think_sweet]

Anyone know what the excel test will consist of on my interview day?

[CAJ1]

No but I would guess that its to see how well you can use it. Go on google and type in excel tests to see if any of those results would help you

[bensmum]

Administration covers everything that goes on in an office so it depends what the business does. Believe me it means anything & everything. usually with Word & Excel tests you are expected to display a basic knowledge. In word you might be asked to type up a report and use different functions.
With Excel I imagine you would be expected to be able to enter data, use formulae and maybe produce a basic chart. It would be a good idea if, as suggested, you went into a site where you could do a practice test. Best of luck with the interview