Administrative and clerical jobs manage and coordinate various support services that allow organizations to operate smoothly. The particular duties and responsibilities for these types of careers are varied by establishment. Some may have direct interaction with the staff that performs the support services. Others may develop the plans and implement the procedures to have their staff meet goals and deadlines. In smaller organizations, administrative services manager jobs will oversee all of the support services. Larger establishments may have tiers of administrative support that share responsibility over their staff.

Generally working from comfortable offices, an administrative or clerical job calls for 40 hour work weeks. The educational level for administrative manager jobs varies by employer. In some cases for first line administrative manager jobs, a high school diploma may be sufficient. An associate’s degree in business or management would increase employer visibility as a job seeker. Great analytical capability with exceptional interpersonal communication skills will give the best opportunity for employment. Applicants should also have dialogue with employers to have a greater understanding of what roles are come with the position.

The majority of clerical and administrative jobs can be found in service-providing industries which includes Federal, State, and local government. A smaller percentage worked in wholesale and retail trade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations at 12 percent through the 2006 – 2016 decade. Opportunities should be strong due to businesses efforts to maximize the efficiency of the day to day operations. Professionals should expect competition amongst the top level jobs, while mid to lower administrative and clerical jobs will not face as much.