Office administration jobs are no exception. Each person’s definition of the “best” job in the workforce is based on what he or she values most in a career. Finding the best office administration career entails determining which one provides the most of what you’re looking for in a job, whether it’s a high salary, health benefits, flexible hours, room for advancement, or a combination of these factors.
A comfortable salary is one of the most important qualities that most people look for in a job. Office administration jobs are not generally thought to be among the highest-paying jobs in the workforce when compared to other professions. An office administration career with a high level of responsibility and that is part of a high-paying corporation or government department, on the other hand, will usually pay more and provide better benefits than other office administration careers. An office administration job in the federal or state government, for example, typically pays more and comes with better benefits than one in the private sector. In addition, large, well-known corporations typically pay higher salaries and provide better benefits than small or non-profit organizations.
In addition to salary and benefits, parents, in particular, value flexible hours in a job, which could include the ability to set their own hours, work from home, or leave the office for short periods of time when family needs arise. Telecommuting or remote working would be the best office administration career for someone with these priorities. A front-desk receptionist or customer service representative position, for example, could be compared to an administrative position that involves a high volume of paperwork that can be taken home. Furthermore, a position like executive assistant, which requires close collaboration with one of the organization’s key decision-makers, is more likely to offer flexible hours at the discretion of the executive.
A startup company with few employees is the best place to apply for those interested in an office administration career where they can learn on the job and gain new skills. Administrative positions in startups frequently require a jack-of-all-trades who can handle non-administrative responsibilities not covered by the typical admin job description. As an administrator in a startup company takes on more responsibilities and learns on the job, he or she can apply those skills to a promotion within the company or to a position outside the company.