The business administrator is one of the most important roles you can have in an organization. You are responsible for managing office operations, managing human resources and finance, and establishing strategies to grow the business.
According to BusinessDictionary.com, a business administrator is “an individual who manages the day-to-day operations of an organization” and “keeps track of all financial transactions.” If you’re interested in becoming a business administrator, here’s how you can get started:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Acquiring a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field is beneficial for a career as a business administrator. |
| Gaining work experience and developing strong communication and problem-solving skills can enhance prospects in the field. |
| Business administration offers a wide range of job opportunities in various industries. |
| Professional development opportunities such as workshops and online courses can help enhance skills in business administration. |
| Key responsibilities of a business administrator include managing administrative operations, coordinating projects, and analyzing data. |
| Career progression opportunities exist in business administration, with possibilities for growth and advancement to higher-level positions. |
Have A Passion For Business
To land your dream job as a business administrator, you need to have a passion for business.
It can be easy to get lost in the alphabet soup of titles and positions that are available in the field, so it’s important to know the difference between a business administration degree and a business management degree.
You should also know what kind of position you’re looking for: Do you want an entry-level position or are you aiming higher? Be clear on this when applying for jobs so that recruiters can best match your skills with their needs.
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Be Good With Numbers
You will also need to have a good understanding of basic arithmetic. This means being able to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers without difficulty. You’ll also want to be familiar with the following:
Spreadsheets – these are used in business administration to keep track of budgets, expenses and other financial data. It would be ideal if you were able to use a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets on your computer at home or in your free time;
However it is not required for this job role because most businesses already have them installed on their computers.
Calculators – some businesses still use calculators for calculating sales taxes or discounts on products or services sold by the company;
However many businesses now use spreadsheets instead of manual calculations due to their ease of use and accuracy when calculating figures from large amounts of data (such as sales transactions).
If you don’t already own one then it may be worth investing in one so that you can practice using it regularly before taking up employment with any company where calculators might still be used regularly (especially if they’re planning on making significant changes during your first few months).
Financial calculators – these are usually big machines that sit next to tellers at banks but nowadays there are also smaller versions available online which allow users access via computers instead – this means they don’t need physical access anymore!
Be Able To Communicate Effectively
Be able to communicate your ideas. A good business administrator needs to be able to explain his or her ideas in a clear, concise manner so that everyone can understand them.
You’ll need to be able to explain why you think an idea is the right one and how you came up with it in the first place.
Be able to listen carefully and take on other people’s suggestions or advice when appropriate. For any business administration team members’ ideas to be effective, they have to know how others’ opinions differ from theirs and sometimes even contradict them!
This requires listening carefully so that important information isn’t overlooked or misunderstood because people aren’t communicating well with each other.
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Research The Company Thoroughly
To get a clear picture of what this company is all about, you need to spend some time researching. Start by looking at their website and social media channels.
What do they say about themselves? Do they share details about their products or services? What are the most important aspects of the company to them?
Next, look over what other people have written about the company online, and don’t forget to check out reviews from customers! You can also see what your competitors are saying about each other and how they compare with one another.
Also check out financials, like their stock prices, revenue growth, and net income in recent years (if publically traded). This will give you some insight into how well-established they are financially as well as if there are any significant challenges ahead for them at present.
Write An Effective Cover Letter
One of the first things employers see when hiring for a position is your cover letter, so it’s important to make sure yours truly stands out from the crowd. If you’re new to writing cover letters, here are some tips:
Address it to a specific person by name.
Don’t use double negatives or “lack of” in your writing (e.g., “I am not unorganized”). While these may be common in colloquial speech, these phrases should be avoided in formal contexts like business correspondence and applications for employment.
Keep it brief one page at most; less than 500 words if possible and don’t ramble on about irrelevant information that doesn’t benefit your candidacy (or show off how much time you’ve spent studying up on the company!).
Showcase Your Achievements
One of the most common mistakes job seekers make is to focus on what they want, rather than on what the employer wants. When you’re writing your resume and cover letter, remember that it’s important to highlight achievements that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.
If you have no experience with the administration but have done well at other jobs by multitasking effectively or working well in a team environment, make sure those skills are reflected on your resume.
It’s also helpful to understand what employers are looking for from prospective employees before developing an idea of how they can demonstrate their qualifications.
For example, if an organization values creativity and innovation (as most do), then it won’t be as impressed by someone who has won awards for being punctual and paying attention to details as much as it will be by someone who has taken risks with their ideas even if those risks didn’t pan out perfectly every time.
Remember Your Body Language
Remember your body language. You’re being judged on every move you make, so be aware of how you come across. When networking, avoid fidgeting or making nervous gestures that could read as disrespectful or unprofessional.
Keep your posture upright and make eye contact with whomever you’re speaking with. Practice this even when it seems uncomfortable it will come off as respectful and trustworthy!
Make sure that your smile is genuine, too; if it feels unnatural, don’t force it because people can tell the difference between real smiles and those that are forced!
Be attentive to what’s going on around you in a group setting by listening carefully when others speak (and asking questions if needed).
If someone is talking about something they’re passionate about or excited about sharing with others.
Show interest by asking thoughtful questions and listening closely until they finish their story before interjecting yourself into the conversation again later down the road once everyone has had ample opportunity to share their ideas/opinions/thoughts/etcetera etcetera etcetera etcetera ad infinitum ad nauseam…
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Be Prepared For The Interview
It’s important to know the company you’re interviewing with. You’ll want to be prepared for all of their questions, so take some time to find out everything that you can about the organization.
This will show them that you’re serious about working at their company and will make an effort to know what they do and why it matters. Here are some things that you should research:
- What does this company do?
- What is its history?
- What is its mission statement?
- Do any values come up repeatedly when reading about the organization or talking with people who work there?
- How much growth has this business had in recent years (i.e., how big is it now)?
- What are its goals moving forward (and how achievable are they)?
Perfect Your Handshake
There’s no denying it: a firm handshake is an important part of the interview process. It’s one of the first things an employer will notice about you, so be sure to pay attention to your grip and make sure that you’re giving off a positive vibe.
If you make eye contact with the person who is shaking your hand and smile politely at them, it’ll help set your interview up for success!
If this sounds like something you might have trouble with, don’t worry we’ve got some tips for making sure that yours looks confident and natural. First of all, remember that it should feel comfortable;
If it doesn’t feel natural or relaxed enough (especially if there are other people around), try practicing in front of a mirror until they become second nature. Then take deep breaths before approaching each new handshake opportunity; this will help reduce anxiety while also helping keep things steady throughout their duration.
Finally, remember that there’s nothing wrong with asking if someone has met anyone else before trying their handshakes on them!
Say Thank You
Thanking the interviewer for their time is an essential part of any interview. The thank you note will reinforce your interest in the position and show that you are taking the application process seriously.
Your letter should be short and to the point, similar to a thank-you card. Don’t write anything longer than one paragraph no matter how much you want the job!
You should also include specifics about why you’re qualified for this position, as well as specific things from your background that make you a good fit for it (e.g., organizations or clubs).
Just like with any other piece of writing, make sure it’s professional: no nonverbal cues such as smiley faces or exclamation points will help here!
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Follow Up After The Interview
After you’ve had your interview, there are several ways to follow up and make sure the hiring manager remembers you:
Send a thank-you note. If you enjoyed the interview and want to show your appreciation for the opportunity, send a handwritten note thanking him or her for taking time out of his or her busy day to meet with you.
Include in this note how much it means that he or she wants you to be part of their company, along with any additional information about yourself (a new skill or career highlight) that might help strengthen your candidacy.
Call the hiring manager to say thanks again if possible but only if there is an appropriate time delay between when he or she last saw you and now (i.e., don’t call within 24 hours).
Send an email with similar content as above but slightly more formal than a handwritten note; keep it short so that it doesn’t look like spammy marketing material!
If possible, attach another document such as a résumé summary with bullet points highlighting key accomplishments from previous work experience as well as some personal interests/hobbies outside work which show off who they are outside of just being professional business administrators themselves…
Know What You Want, Be Prepared, And Meet Your Goals!
Know What You Want
It is important to know exactly what you need from the job so that you can make sure the company has what it takes to fulfill your needs and help you grow as a professional.
Be Prepared For Obstacles And Challenges Along The Way!
Being familiar with what comes next will help keep your chin up when things get tough and they may get tough!
You never know when something could happen that makes it impossible for someone else’s dream job opportunity to be yours any longer.
It’s important not to let this discourage or deter you from reaching for your goals; instead, use this knowledge as motivation towards achieving them even more!
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Conclusion
Landing your dream job is not as hard as it seems, especially if you have a solid business administrator resume.
You just need to keep in mind all the tips we’ve provided above and be confident in yourself! If there is anything else you would like to know about this topic or any other related topics please feel free to contact us.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
How to Build a Business Administration Resume: 8 Tips to Help You Land Your Dream Job: Discover valuable tips and insights on crafting an impressive resume specifically for business administration positions.
Career in Business Administration: Explore the various aspects of a career in business administration and gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and pathways available in this field.
How Business Administration Jobs Can Get You Your Dream Job: Dive into this informative slideshare presentation to learn how pursuing a career in business administration can open doors to your dream job.
FAQs
What qualifications do I need for a career in business administration?
To pursue a career in business administration, it is beneficial to have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field. However, some positions may require a master’s degree or specialized certifications. Additionally, gaining relevant work experience and developing strong communication and problem-solving skills can greatly enhance your prospects in this field.
What job opportunities are available in business administration?
Business administration offers a wide range of job opportunities across various industries. Some common roles include business analyst, administrative assistant, office manager, project coordinator, and operations manager. These positions can be found in corporations, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and small businesses.
How can I enhance my skills in business administration?
To enhance your skills in business administration, consider pursuing professional development opportunities such as workshops, seminars, or online courses. Additionally, gaining hands-on experience through internships or entry-level positions can provide valuable practical knowledge. Networking and staying updated on industry trends can also contribute to skill development.
What are the key responsibilities of a business administrator?
The responsibilities of a business administrator can vary depending on the specific role and organization. However, common tasks may include managing administrative operations, coordinating projects, overseeing budgeting and financial processes, analyzing data and performance metrics, developing and implementing policies, and facilitating communication between departments.
What career progression opportunities are available in business administration?
Business administration offers a clear career progression path with opportunities for growth and advancement. Starting from entry-level positions, professionals can progress to roles such as team leaders, supervisors, managers, and eventually, executive-level positions. Developing expertise in a specific area of business administration, acquiring additional certifications, and pursuing continuous learning can contribute to career advancement.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.