Every type of organisation requires clerical and administrative staff to deal with office procedures and to ensure that the business they work for runs effectively and smoothly.

The nature of office work involved can vary greatly depending on factors such as the nature of the business in question, the size of the organisation, and whether the organisation is a private company or the public service. 
 
Front office staff, such as the receptionist, play a key role in organisations because they reflect the image of the organisation in which they work. Since they are the first point of contact between the public and the organisation, either by telephone or in person, they communicate certain messages by how they look, dress and behave.

Because of the increasingly fast pace of business life today, all clerical staff must learn how to function efficiently under pressure in a multiplicity of ways in a fast changing environment. The public who interact with the organisation can be very demanding. Staff must be able to deal with the public in a calm but efficient and sometimes friendly manner.

For this kind of career, you need to have good written and spoken English. It is becoming increasingly important to be reasonably proficient in at least one other European language. Qualities such as good organisational skills, keyboard and computer skills, competence in managing office requirements, good communication skills, a pleasant manner and a neat and tidy appearance are also important.

Getting into Clerical and Administrative work
There are a very large number of courses run in PLC and IT colleges throughout the Country. Students taking these courses gain experience in all aspects of the technology relevant to the smooth running of modern office environments.

Courses are usually one year in duration and are full-time with work experience provided as an integral part of their study.  These courses aim to equip their students with the necessary practical and computing skills and the knowledge necessary for the dynamic world of business.

You would typically study subjects such as Text Production (with Touch Typing) - Word Processing, Spreadsheet Methods, Database Methods, Business Law, Book-keeping (Manual and Computerised), Communications and Business Calculations.

The day to day work of someone working in a clerical role would involve work such as answering the phone, typing and word processing, chasing up accounts, organising and filing data, addressing the needs of senior staff, briefing clients and sometimes the general public.

Outlook
There is a demand for skilled and trained clerical staff in all sectors of the Irish economy. The experience you gain from administrative work provides you with a keen understanding of how a business is run. You would be likely to develop skills that can be used in other kinds of organisations. In many cases, the experience gained in such positions can lead to job progression and more senior positions in the same area or can equip people with the skills they need to set up their own business.