Firstly, as well as asking for your most recent previous employment, prior experience in a similar type of employment will be regarded very highly by employers. It is therefore very important to highlight previous jobs that have the most relevance to office work in the application
form. As well as this, employers will be looking for other skills from their applicants, including good organisational skills and effective teamwork, to name a few. Evidence of this can be taken from any past employment or from hobbies or interests outside of work, and applicants should draw on a specific time when these skills were illustrated or improved.

Most application forms will also ask their applicants specifically about what skills they have that makes them right for that job. Here is a chance to reiterate the points stated in a CV, giving an applicant a second opportunity to underline why they should be chosen for that specific job. An important skill to mention when applying for an administration position is a good knowledge and previous experience of using computer programmes. Even if it is just a basic knowledge of computer packages, employers will regard any previous experience of working with computer programmes such as Excel highly, whether it was in school or at a previous employment.

Of course, for those applying for higher positions in an office, whether it is as a secretary, receptionist or office manager, employers will expect more. Applicants for these jobs will need to heavily underline any previous work in a similar position and all of the relevant skills learned through these jobs that makes them suitable.

If the application form is successful, applicants will usually be invited to an interview. Here, employees will look for qualities that cannot be evaluated through a written application, such as a smart appearance and confidence. Applicants should also be prepared to discuss what was stated in the application form, especially any relevant work experience or skills.

However, as with any job, salaries will increase with the level of responsibility involved in the job. Therefore, those in an administration position that involves a higher level of responsibility than an administrative assistants job can expect to receive a higher salary. This type of job will typically offer up to 17,000 a year. From this, the more experience gained and the greater the responsibility dealt with, the higher the salary will be. Of course, administration or office managers and senior administrators can expect to earn much more. In many of the advertised administration jobs in the Cardiff area, employees state alongside the salary on offer that this is subject to change, depending on the applicants level of experience in the field.

Receptionists tend to earn a similar amount as clerical assistants, ranging from 11,000 to 15,000 at the beginning. However, those with a higher level of experience will generally be earning up to 18,000. Secretaries, on the other hand, can expect to earn much more than those employed as clerical assistants or receptionists. Moreover, an experienced bilingual secretary can receive up to 35,000 a year.

As with most job sectors, the highest salaries available for those working in administration and office work are to be found in London. However, for those wishing to work in Cardiff there are many administration jobs available, and once some experience in the field has been gained, prospects will be increased with regards to job options and salaries.