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Office Worker skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted Experts

Dr. Darrin Cox,

Brandy Bailey

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical office worker skills. We ranked the top skills for office workers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 27.7% of office worker resumes contained data entry as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an office worker needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 office worker skills for your resume and career

1. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how office workers use data entry:

Performed data entry tasks while upholding complete confidentiality with sensitive records.
Performed administrative tasks including data entry and document filing.

2. Administrative Tasks

Here's how office workers use administrative tasks:

Performed a wide variety of administrative tasks and responsibilities.
Performed administrative tasks such as answering the front desk telephone and directing appointments.

3. PowerPoint

Here's how office workers use powerpoint:

Worked various office assignments using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Created documents using Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft PowerPoint Used Windows Movie Maker and DVD Maker to create multimedia videos for Promotional Use

4. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how office workers use payroll:

Turn in Payroll and then once I get the information back, write a check to the employee for payment.
Assisted in payroll duties including time entry, payroll adjustments, review payroll records for corrections and adjustments.

5. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how office workers use customer service:

Conduct exceptional customer service by responding to telephone and email inquiries in a timely and professional fashion
Performed customer service during football games and aided in administrative office work

6. 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 workers use telephone calls:

Attend, generate and refer telephone calls and guide citizens as appropriate.
Help organize files, take telephone calls, and help the patients.

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7. Front Desk

Here's how office workers use front desk:

Operated front desk answering phone inquiries related to general housing maintenance including room reassignments.
Covered Front Desk/Reception area for Massachusetts Biotechnology Council.

8. Scheduling Appointments

Scheduling appointments is the practice of finding a free slot with the person(s) you want to meet. The process of scheduling appointments involves finding mutually free time, negotiating follow-ups, sending reminders, and creating new appointments. Scheduling appointments is important to ensure that the timings of consecutive meetings do not clash with each other.

Here's how office workers use scheduling appointments:

Worked a tax season answering phones, scheduling appointments, and filing tax papers and files.
Handled incoming calls, co-payments, scheduling appointments.

9. Word Processing

Here's how office workers use word processing:

Answered telephone, filed, faxed, used office copier, and gained extensive experience in all Microsoft word processing applications.
Worked in combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing.

10. Office Machines

An office machine is a mechanical and electronic device that is used to get work done in an organization or establishment, to finish multiple works in a short time, and to enhance productivity. Office machines are essential in running a modern office and range from calculators to printers to computers.

Here's how office workers use office machines:

Performed general office duties, such as; operating various office machines, sorting mail according to user criteria.
Assisted filing duties, operated office machines, rerouted calls to appropriate people.

11. Computer System

Here's how office workers use computer system:

Sorted student file documents and scanned documents into computer system
Entered data into admissions computer system.

12. Computer Programs

A computer program is a set of instructions that can be executed by a computer to perform an operation or task. Computer programs are devised by computer programmers in a programming language. Everything a computer does is through a computer program.

Here's how office workers use computer programs:

Worked with specialized computer programs.
Operated various computer programs to process utility payments, Western Union transfers, Lottery, and store operations.

13. Clerical Support

Clerical support performs activities that must be done in every workplace in order to support the company going forward. These duties, which come within the category of clerical support, are typically delegated to entry-level employees since they are simple and easy to learn. Even though clerical duties like printing and filing are easy, they require time and in many instances, other workers are preoccupied with other activities and unable to keep up with all that needs to be accomplished. As a result, many businesses employ clerical support staff who are solely responsible for these duties.

Here's how office workers use clerical support:

Provided administrative and clerical support in a variety of temporary positions
Participated in missionary work (church and apartment ministry) and provided clerical support.

14. Office Equipment

Here's how office workers use office equipment:

Operate office equipment such as computer/word processor, printer, typewriter, calculator, copy machine, and fax machine.
Used office equipment, such as envelope-sealing machine, fax machine, copier, printer, telephone switchboards.

15. Direct Calls

Direct calls are connections established with a previous customer or client, most likely a subscriber.

Here's how office workers use direct calls:

Greet visitors in office, answer phone and direct calls* Give campus tours to potential students* Basic clerical duties
Utilize Cisco phone system to receive and direct calls.

12 Office Worker Resume Examples

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What skills help Office Workers find jobs?

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

What Office Worker skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Darrin Cox

Professor of History, West Liberty University

Reading. Then read some more. Read a wide array of materials from multiple perspectives related to your fields of interest and on topics that impact your immediate world. Reading will increase your specific knowledge in these areas, introduce you to competing interpretations, and hopefully stimulate critical thinking as you reconcile new information and perspectives into your own conclusions. Oh, and then read some more. Did I mention you should read?

What soft skills should all Office Workers possess?

Brandy Bailey

Career Coach, Ohio University - Lancaster Campus

Soft skills may vary depending on the employer, industry, and personal opinions. My biggest ones are communication skills, adaptability, self-awareness, teamwork, problem-solving, intercultural competency, creativity or innovation, and time management.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Office Workers?

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.

Do you want to know more?

List of office worker skills to add to your resume

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

Data Entry
Administrative Tasks
PowerPoint
Payroll
Customer Service
Telephone Calls
Front Desk
Scheduling Appointments
Word Processing

Office Machines
Computer System
Computer Programs
Clerical Support
Office Equipment
Direct Calls
Credit Card
Fax Machines
Computer Software

Windows
Patient Charts
Bank Deposits
QuickBooks
Purchase Orders
Database Systems
Voice Mail Systems
Facsimile Machines

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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