How to Get an Office Job
An office job offers excellent benefits, including a steady income, a pleasant working environment and, often, good career progression. But if you’ve never had an office job before, it can be hard to know where to start.
Look at the Roles
If you have no previous experience in an office environment, the roles you can apply for are likely to be somewhat limited, but everyone has to start somewhere. Look out for entry-level jobs for which you can transfer skills from other jobs or roles where any of your existing qualifications may give you the edge. If you’ve worked in a customer-facing environment, then you’ll have the skills needed for a receptionist role. If you have good grades in Maths, Accounting or Statistics, you might be able to land an entry-level financial assistant role.
Prepare Your CV
A good CV is key to getting an office job. If you have no previous office experience, focus on any transferable skills that are relevant to the role in question. Be sure to triple-check for typos: if you’re going for an office job, they will expect a high level of literacy.
Use Your Network
Sometimes the easiest way to get your first office job is through someone you know. Even if you are not office-based now, the company you currently work for may have office positions in other locations, such as at the head office. Friends and family may also be able to help.
Check Jobs Postings
Office jobs are regularly listed on job posting sites. Check daily on a variety of platforms, and even set up alerts for certain positions. If you’re looking for specialist roles, it’s also worth looking at sites aimed at those with particular skills, such as interim managers, who can use the resources at https://iim.org.uk, or sites for specific industries.
Getting a job at an office can be the start of a long and successful career, but getting that first role can be tricky. Making the most of your existing skills and writing a killer CV can help get your foot in the door.