Having the right office skills, professionalism and interests will help you land the administrative position you want as explained in this guide to administrative assistant jobs in Chicago, IL.

What educational background do you need to land a job in Chicago?

If you gain one insight from this guide to administrative assistant jobs in Chicago, IL, it's that these jobs typically don't require a college degree. In fact, you can usually find an office-based clerical position with just a GED or high school diploma. However, you'll need office skills, such as computer word processing and presentation software knowledge.

Having completed some college courses or an associate degree will help you advance to the top of many employers' lists of prospective candidates. You can also increase your hiring potential by attending a vocational school or administrative assistance program.

If you acquire a bachelor's degree or an advanced degree while working as an administrative assistant in Chicago, you open doors to new opportunities in your current company and others. It's important to note that the state doesn't require continuing education credits for this field of work. Instead, your employer may require ongoing internal training or pay for additional outside training, such as for computer programs or niche-oriented skills.

You can certainly build your own resume and capabilities through educational programs like the one at Fox College in Chicago. The school offers courses in Microsoft Office software, data analysis and problem-solving skills, presentation development and meeting and event planning.

How can I land an administrative assistant job in Chicago?

In light of Midwestern values, your Chicago resume and cover letter need to reflect your interest in the local community. If you have specific experience working in the Chicago area, graduated from local schools or volunteered in your local neighborhood, this kind of information on your resume and cover letter will show your commitment to the city.

Interviewing in Chicago for office positions usually involves multiple steps. You'll likely go through a brief phone interview first. If the company has continued interest in you, it will schedule an in-person interview at the office. For all these interviews, remember the Midwest business environment is conservative and requires conservative professional or business casual attire.

To help you land your dream job, no guide to administrative assistant jobs in Chicago, IL, is complete without a discussion of networking. Networking in Chicago for administrative assistant jobs is as easy as finding opportunities listed on sites like NetworkNite.com or Meetup.com.

What are common jobs in this area?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Services, more than 890,000 people work in administrative assistant jobs in the Chicago area. Therefore, many opportunities exist in a wide range of industries.

Entry-level positions for administrative assistant jobs in Chicago include roles as an office clerk, financial clerk, receptionist and department coordinator, perhaps in a downtown office like Eden Industrial Park or Chicago Technology Park. These jobs require no experience to just a few years' experience in an office setting.

At the mid-level range for administrative assistant jobs, you'll find titles like office manager, administrative supervisor, executive assistant, personal assistant, medical secretary and legal secretary. As a legal secretary, you can take advantage of being in the third-largest legal market in the country.

Senior positions in administrative assistance actually move into a business management realm. You can manage a team of office employees as an operations manager or a business manager. Other senior administrative opportunities include vice president of administration or vice president of operations. Moving up the Chicago corporate ladder into these jobs usually requires lengthy experience with your company, a college degree or a combination of education and experience.

What are the biggest industries for this field in Chicago?

Like any big city in America, Chicago is home to a diverse range of industries. You can work as an administrative assistant for a small business like the top-rated Earles Architects & Associates, or you can seek a position in a global corporation such as Accenture. Area industries that we would be remiss to not include in this guide for administrative assistant jobs in Chicago, IL, include health care, rail transportation, steel, finance, manufacturing, printing, publishing, insurance, food processing and theater.

What kind of shifts can I work in this field in Chicago?

The vast majority of administrative assistant jobs in Chicago require work in the daytime during so-called "business hours." This means you must usually be in your office in the morning, such as at 8 a.m. You'll typically receive a half-hour or hour lunch break midday. The workday usually ends at 5 p.m. or later for office workers.

Although seasonal positions prove rare, many temporary roles exist in Chicago for people in administrative work. Many administrative assistants fill short-term positions during busy seasons, for special projects or when someone else is on vacation or medical leave.

External resources

Major publications read by administrative personnel include OfficePro, the magazine of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Keeping on top of local business is important, so read Crain's Chicago Business and the Chicago Business Journal regularly.

As a whole, Chicago is heavily unionized. The Office & Professional Employees International Union helps office workers have their own voice in workplace rights and policies. The Chicago Workers’ Collaborative is a union providing support and advocacy for temporary workers in the Chicago area.

Meetups provide great connections to local businesspeople and an opportunity for you to actively build your skills. Michigan Avenue Toastmasters is one such group at which you'll learn public speaking and communication skills.

Loyola University, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology and Northern Illinois University are top universities in Chicago providing business programs to advance your career.