You don’t typically need to be Degree educated to become an Office Manager, However, most companies will look for candidates with a good academic background i.e. strong grades at GCSE and A-Level, usually a minimum of B/C in Maths and English at GCSE as a minimum requirement. This being said, Degrees in Business Management, Business, Marketing, or essay-based subjects may be beneficial and help set you apart from other candidates. Candidates with NVQs (or equivalent) or apprenticeships in business and administration may also be regarded more highly when applying. Whilst grades may help with your application, relevant hands-on transferable experience, coupled with the right attitude and work ethic is usually what an employer will be focused on.
Office Manager jobs are rarely entry-level roles, so previous office administrative, secretarial or managerial experience will be highly beneficial when looking to apply for this type of position. It is also worth highlighting and referencing any temporary roles or work experience undertaken that aligns with the duties involved and skills used in an Office Manager job. Be sure to include any voluntary work, team-focused experience or extra-curricular activities that showcase your personality and skill set too.
As a general rule of thumb, the below skills and personality traits should equip you well in an Office Manager role:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Time management
- Excellent organisation skills
- Ability to prioritise
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
- Innovative thinker
- Problem-solver
- Ability to build up long-lasting relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
- Team player
- Business acumen
- Ability to use initiative and take ownership of tasks
- Tech savvy
- Negotiation skills
- Self-motivated
Please see our Office Managers Pillar page to see more on this topic, and others, such as office manager salaries, office manager recruitment agencies and office manager roles.
