Office and Administrative Support Occupations
The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) states the following about office and administrative support occupations:
Overall employment in office and administrative support occupations is projected to decline 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, resulting in a decrease of about 880,800 jobs over the decade. Despite declining employment, opportunities are expected to arise from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently. About 2.2 million openings each year, on average, are projected to come from replacement needs.
The median annual wage for this group was $38,050 in May 2021, which was lower than the median annual wage for all occupations of $45,760.
(Source: bls.gov)
Office and Administrative Support Jobs
Below you will find a list of office and administrative support positions with a job summary, entry-level education, and median pay level. Each link brings you to a specific job page where you can find more information about the position and commonly asked interview questions and answers for that job.
| Occupation | Job Summary | Entry-Level Education | 2021 Median Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill and Account Collectors | Bill and account collectors try to recover payment on overdue bills. | High school diploma or equivalent | $37,700 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations and check financial records for accuracy. | Some college, no degree | $45,560 |
| Customer Service Representatives | Customer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and answer questions. | High school diploma or equivalent | $36,920 |
| Desktop Publishers | Desktop publishers use computer software to design page layouts for items that are printed or published online. | Associate's degree | $46,910 |
| Financial Clerks | Financial clerks do administrative work, keep records, help customers, and carry out financial transactions. | High school diploma or equivalent | $44,760 |
| General Office Clerks | General office clerks perform a variety of clerical tasks, including answering telephones, typing documents, and filing records. | High school diploma or equivalent | $37,030 |
| Information Clerks | Information clerks perform routine clerical duties, maintain records, collect data, and provide information to customers. | High school diploma or equivalent | $37,450 |
| Material Recording Clerks | Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. | High school diploma or equivalent | $37,870 |
| Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers | Public safety telecommunicators, including 911 operators and fire dispatchers, answer emergency and nonemergency calls and provide resources to assist those in need. | High school diploma or equivalent | $46,670 |
| Postal Service Workers | Postal service workers sell postal products and collect, sort, and deliver mail. | High school diploma or equivalent | $51,730 |
| Receptionists | Receptionists do tasks such as answering phones, receiving visitors, and providing information about their organization to the public. | High school diploma or equivalent | $29,950 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | Secretaries and administrative assistants perform routine clerical and administrative duties. | High school diploma or equivalent | $39,680 |
| Tellers | Tellers are responsible for accurately processing routine transactions at a bank. | High school diploma or equivalent | $36,310 |
(Source: bls.gov)
Job Interview Topics – Common Job Interview Questions & Answers
Below you can find a list of common job interview topics. Each link will direct you to an article regarding the specific topics that discuss commonly asked interview questions. Furthermore, each article discusses why the interviewer asks these questions and how you answer them!
- Accomplishments
- Adaptability
- Admission
- Behavioral
- Career Change
- Career Goals
- Communication
- Competency
- Conflict Resolution
- Creative Thinking
- Cultural Fit
- Customer Service
- Direct
- Experience
- Government
- Graduate
- Growth Potential
- Honesty & Integrity
- Illegal
- Inappropriate
- Job Satisfaction
- Leadership
- Management
- Entry-Level & No experience
- Performance-Based
- Personal
- Prioritization & Time Management
- Problem-solving
- Salary
- Situational & Scenario-based
- Stress Management
- Teamwork
- Telephone Interview
- Tough
- Uncomfortable
- Work Ethic