If you’re great with people and excellent at organization, a career as an office manager might be the right path for you. Office managers usually require significant amounts of experience, but not usually extensive education.

What Is an Office Manager?

Office managers need to handle all of the day-to-day operations of a company. In different companies, this can mean different things. The position of office manager is one of the few positions that have "manager" in the title that actually do not designate anyone in managerial capacity.

An office manager usually does not manage employees but instead is an advanced administrative professional.

Office managers may sometimes take on specific human resources duties but they are rarely responsible for firing or hiring individuals.

Often, an office manager will need to do light bookkeeping work. They may need to do faxes, copying and other administrative work such as answering a phone. Occasionally they may be in charge of interns or temp workers.

They will usually be responsible for the filing system and they will often be a resource for important contact information. The office manager will also often work very closely with their boss or supervisor to fulfill their needs.

What Does an Office Manager Do?

Office managers will usually open the office at the beginning of the day and close it at the end of the day.

Office managers usually need to be on call to fill the needs of those within the office. This includes ordering office supplies as necessary and fixing office equipment as is required.

Office managers may be instrumental in resolving issues that come up within a company such as the internet services going down or urgent files needing to be pulled.

Office managers often need to know quite a lot about the work those within the office are performing to ensure that everything operates smoothly. They may need to ensure that documents are secured properly and they may also provide new employees with documents and provisional training.

Otherwise, the job of an office manager varies significantly based on the industry they work in. Many companies need office managers and administrative staff.

How Do You Become an Office Manager?

An office manager usually has years of experience within the industry as an administrative assistant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an office manager may have up to five years of related experience.

Usually an office manager does not have to have a degree, but larger companies may request either an Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in business or administration. The position isn’t usually considered an entry-level position though there may be on the job training from a predecessor.

Office managers usually need to work full-time and many of them get overtime pay for the hours they work beyond the standard 40 hour work week. Office managers are usually salaried but are sometimes paid on an hourly basis. The pay and responsibilities of an office manager vary significantly based on the industry the office manager is working on and their experience within the field.

How Do You Advance as an Office Manager?

Office managers may be able to advance by being hired by larger companies. Executive assistants often require related skills but are offered more job freedom. Another field that is related to office management, according to O*Net Online, is the field of bookkeeping.

Many office managers need to perform light bookkeeping tasks, and those that enjoy the work may be able to branch into financial positions rather than stay within the administrative field. Financial positions can offer an excellent career path for those that enjoy it.