Anyone work in Administration/Reception/Secretarial roles? Is it unbearable or do you like it?

[UpsyDaisies52]

Looking at other jobs possibly, qualified in Office Administration.

Not looking for something I would love and be passionate about. Just looking for something to pay the bills and that I don’t dread going to everyday, so your opinions are so helpful!

That’s kinda what happened with my current role. I was brought on as an admin but bumped up immediately (after a month) to a different role. I never really got to be an admin.

I was very fortunate and extremely grateful for the opportunity, but I don’t think it’s the right fit as I’m not competitive, which would be the environment of my current role. It’s been 2 years and I’ve never really settled into it

I quite liked the sound of that

What do you actually do? What does the role entail?

I work in University administration. The people I work with are wonderful but my god the attitude you get from some of the students, its been quite the eye opener.
The systems are a lot of processes are also shit and outdated, which surprised me when I first started this job as this place has a "world class" reputation.

Admin roles vary massively, I'd start by looking at Cs or other public bodies like APHA, Environment Agency, Natural Englandetc for good working conditions if you don't fancy private sector. I have no contact with the public, work fully flexi in a hybrid role, my office over looks a beautiful river with lots of wildlife around and work is very varied. I work in environmental services so whilst our field team are out and about I organise their paperwork, maintain records and inventory of PPE, tool servicing, H&S paperwork, take minutes at major multi million pound construction project meetings etc which is interesting and I get to go out on site occasionally which is great. Casual clothing and safety boots are the norm.

I wouldnt enjoy a corporate receptionist role in a concrete jungle with normal office hours and smart office dress and heels (if that culture still exists).

As people have said, the roles vary a lot. If you struggle with targets and deadlines, problem solving etc, a lot of admin roles might be hard as there's often more to them than people think.

Traditional Secretarial work is unusual these days, it's more executive assistants, who have a higher level of responsibilities and juggle project work as well as diary management and organising meetings. Everyone types their own letters these days and filing papers is a thing of the past really. Saying that though, I did some temping about 8 years ago and had a 2 week stint in a firm that still ran like it was 20 years ago. Typing up dictated letters, and franking the post. I found it an absolute piece of piss and kept running out of work.

Reception might suit you well. Greeting visitors and then usually the sort of routine stuff you mention, post, deliveries, answering phone, stationery. Depending on where you work it can be boring as hell or okay.

Absolutely love it.

I love it if there is enough work to actually do, I spend more time trying to look like I'm doing something and it does my head in

I think reception work would really suit you from what you’ve said - I work as a school receptionist and posted a while back when I first started about a possible bullying colleague, but it’s all worked out now and I love my job.

Plus-points are always being busy, constant varied situations, adapting as the day unfolds, feeling genuinely helpful. talking to people, feeling like you can be a trusted person for a vulnerable child, popping into the back office to chat to the other admin staff (and in my school a lot of the teachers). Almost everything is solvable by the end of the day so it’s unlikely you’ll go home worrying about things.

Negatives: sometimes stressful e.g. when there’s 5 people waiting, phone ringing off the hook, a child has gone missing and the parent is in tears, sick kids (also I’m currently battling a tummy bug I caught last week). You really are on the coalface. Some of the things you find out from the safeguarding lead are very upsetting. And there’s often conflicting advice from different teachers.