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Office automation secretary skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Allison White,

Allison White

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical office automation secretary skills. We ranked the top skills for office automation secretaries based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.8% of office automation secretary resumes contained personnel actions as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an office automation secretary needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 office automation secretary skills for your resume and career

1. Personnel Actions

A personnel action means any action taken which affects compensation, appointment, promotion, transfer, assignment, reassignment, reinstatement, evaluation of performance, layoff, dismissal, discipline, commendations, or any other action that affects the status of employment, etc. For example organizational reassignment, hiring an employee, or an employee leaving the company, are represented by separate personnel actions.

Here's how office automation secretaries use personnel actions:

Prepared and submitted Personnel Actions as necessary for the Rochester facility.
Prepared and typed a variety of correspondence, reports, forms, requests for personnel actions, and legal documents.

2. Office Automation

Here's how office automation secretaries use office automation:

Plan and perform complex office automation duties requiring different approaches and methods from one assignment and/or program to another.
Used office automation software for word processing, e-mail and electronic files.

3. Travel Arrangements

Here's how office automation secretaries use travel arrangements:

Coordinated special projects, meetings and travel arrangements for Physician staff at National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Prepare extensive travel arrangements for both international and domestic, process travel orders and vouchers.

4. Telephone Calls

Telephone calls are a communication means through which a caller is connected to the called party. The call is done through a telecommunications device called a telephone. The caller can use a landline, mobile phone, or satellite phone to make the call.

Here's how office automation secretaries use telephone calls:

Received telephone calls, greet visitors, and ascertain the nature of the calls.
Received telephone calls and visitors, routes incoming mail.

5. PowerPoint

Here's how office automation secretaries use powerpoint:

Typed reports, correspondence and email using Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint).
Trained all employees on the documentation of Record Retention, kronos, word, excel and powerpoint.

6. Payroll Issues

Here's how office automation secretaries use payroll issues:

Analyzed and researched sensitive data to resolve payroll issues with little to no supervision.

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7. Word Processing

Here's how office automation secretaries use word processing:

Performed in-depth word processing functions, including preparation of post-doctoral application documents, proofing and editing for executive committee review.
Assisted Administrative Officer with all clerical duties including correspondence, policies and reports utilizing various word processing programs.

8. Proofread

Proofreading simply carefully checking your text for possible errors like typographical errors or mistakes in grammar, style, and spelling before it can be published or shared. This is generally known as the very last stage of any writing process when you need to fix minor spelling and punctuation mistakes, typos, formatting issues,

and inconsistencies.

Here's how office automation secretaries use proofread:

Proofread and edited correspondence and documents for correct grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and format.
Proofread packages (official memos and Staff Summary Sheets) for command directorate level.

9. Office Equipment

Here's how office automation secretaries use office equipment:

Worked in partnership with government supply companies for the purchasing of office equipment.
Implement a system for general office operations including answering phones, receiving and disseminating mail and operating and maintaining office equipment.

10. Travel Orders

Here's how office automation secretaries use travel orders:

Filled out, completed, and processed travel orders for temporary duties to other bases or training sites.
Coordinated calendars, Travel orders, reservations, and supplies.

11. Analyze Data

Analyze data or data analysis refers to the practice of studying, organizing, and transforming data to make it more useful. It also includes the cleansing of non-useful information which helps in better decision making regarding any particular matter. Analyze data is a practice that is used widely in the field of business, social sciences, and science.

Here's how office automation secretaries use analyze data:

Developed analytical tools and conduct data analysis; analyze data and present updates on program performance.
Analyze data to determine answers to questions from customers or members of the public.

12. Meeting Minutes

Here's how office automation secretaries use meeting minutes:

Typed meeting minutes, and prepared/collated documents for meetings.
Coordinated inventory and ordered office supplies, scheduled appointments and meetings for Manager transcribed dictation of Manager's weekly meeting minutes.

13. Database Management

Here's how office automation secretaries use database management:

Provided moderate-to-complex database management and reporting.
Centralized confidential donor financial data using database management software resulting in increased organization and eliminating redundancies in data collection.

14. Performance Reports

Here's how office automation secretaries use performance reports:

Edited and quality checked decorations, enlisted performance reports, officer performance reports prior to commanders presenting the awards.

15. Office Procedures

Office procedures are the protocols and standards which define how the staff works together. The office procedures can be a set of rules and regulations which guide the employees and help them run the office operations smoothly. Paperwork, customer interaction, taking messages, handling calls in and out all fall under the office procedures.

Here's how office automation secretaries use office procedures:

Developed and implemented improvements to office procedures and processes
Compose routine non-technical correspondence, such as instructions on office procedures, requests for information and letters of acknowledgment or notification.

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What skills help Office Automation Secretaries find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What hard/technical skills are most important for office automation secretarys?

Allison White

Associate Professor, Ohio University

In addition to production software skills, including MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, we often taught database skills using MS Access. Every employer has an employee database and a customer/client database that requires input and sometimes maintenance by office personnel. Keyboarding (65+ wpm), basic bookkeeping/accounting, and filing skills are a must.

What skills stand out on office automation secretary resumes?

Allison White

Associate Professor, Ohio University

Knowledge of spreadsheets software such as MS Excel is a commonly sought-after skill. Employers want word processing and spreadsheet skills but often say they want high school graduates and pay accordingly. These skills aren't always taught in high school. Those in the field should seek these skills. Additionally, medical and legal assistants have highly sought after. Terminology courses for these specialized areas are sometimes offered at the vocational schools but are usually offered at the post-secondary level.

What soft skills should all office automation secretarys possess?

Allison White

Associate Professor, Ohio University

Employers have told me repeatedly that soft skills are often the most important. They will ask for my reference after I've gotten to know a student and been able to identify their communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. They want someone to take the initiative yet know when to ask questions. Customer service skills and confidentiality were also voiced by our internship supervisors. Verbal and non-verbal communication is a must. The applicant must be able to write well!!

Do you want to know more?

List of office automation secretary skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an office automation secretary resume and required skills for an office automation secretary to have include:

Personnel Actions
Office Automation
Travel Arrangements
Telephone Calls
PowerPoint
Payroll Issues
Word Processing

Proofread
Office Equipment
Travel Orders
Analyze Data
Meeting Minutes
Database Management
Performance Reports

Office Procedures
Scheduling Appointments
DOD
Statistical Reports
Purchase Card
SharePoint

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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