Updating Jobs Skills...Need Recommendations

[kims]

I am trying to get back into the administrative asst. field, and as I get these ads for jobs from Monster, paper, etc., I am sometimes hesitant to reply as they, of course, list 'proficiency' in MSOffice, Quickbook, etc.as a 'preferred requirement'.

So, my question is can anyone recommend a site, book, program I could use or take to get 'up to snuff' in these skills/programs.
It's been several years since I used these on a daily basis. I know I would pick back up easily, but I don't feel that's gonna land me a job.

TIA for any help

 

[cakebaker]

Video Professor

I am trying to get back into the administrative asst. field, and as I get these ads for jobs from Monster, paper, etc., I am sometimes hesitant to reply as they, of course, list 'proficiency' in MSOffice, Quickbook, etc.as a 'preferred requirement'.

So, my question is can anyone recommend a site, book, program I could use or take to get 'up to snuff' in these skills/programs.
It's been several years since I used these on a daily basis. I know I would pick back up easily, but I don't feel that's gonna land me a job.

TIA for any help

Last time I was in the job market (2004) I used Video Professor to get me up to snuff on Word, Excel & Power Point. I was able to test at "expert" level on Excel thanks to what I learned with VP (which I purchased on ebay). You may want to go the term to perm route through a temp agency. Are you employed now?

 

[melimcn]

Speaking as someone in the IT field that talks with many different customers a week, I would suggest making sure that any Office training you do includes Office 2007. It has an entirely different look and feel from the other versions of Office, and user training is a big headache for a lot of companies.
If the company you are applying to has migrated to 2007, that could be a nice selling point for you.

If you want to take a complete class on it (there are self-paced, online versions), you can go through Global Knowledge, Productivity Point, New Horizons, etc... They are professional training providers.

 

[kims]

Thank you, ladies! I knew I'd get great input here!

CB, no, I am not working right now...so I do have the time to take some brush up stuff.
The online program sounds good. I actually took a lot of classes from New Horizons many years ago.
Just typing that, remembering it, makes me realize just how long ago that was!

Life is flying by.

 

[mrsmel]

Also, check out your local public library. They may offer classes, have books, or other resources to help you. The one in my area is doing a big push to help people with job training skills.

anne

 

[LauraMax]

Anne's idea is a good one--when I finished college I had never touched a computer (OK I'm dating myself, but there it is) so I took a course at a local community college. I didn't even finish--I wasn't looking for a grade or class credits, just 'puter proficiency. And of coures you get a nice little primer.

 

[LaughingWater]

Microsoft offers free mini-tutorials in Office Word, Excel, etc. I've only worked through a few of the "Word" ones ~ they were pretty good. It's a decent (and free!) way to get started.

I wish you luck! After being at home with my kids for the past 13 years, I'm horribly underqualified in all areas, I'm afraid. I'd like to get a job at the library some day, but I have since learned that even a part time gig is hard to get for someone like me. I have some serious catching up to do.