Role profile library
Predefined role profile
Office administrators and clerks
The behaviours this profile measures, drawn from the great{with}talent job library and occupational research. Download the full competency-based interview guide to assess them.
The full interview guideCompetency-based questions, follow-up probes and a 1–5 rating form for each behaviour — ready to print or run on screen.
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Behaviours assessed — 5 priority competencies
1
Organisational Skills
Establishes clear priorities and builds plans to ensure delivery on time. Works in a systematic manner and manages resources efficiently. Quickly adapts plans as circumstances require. Sees things through to completion.
Why this matters for Office administrators and clerks: The Skills England Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard (L3) names 'manage diary, schedule meetings, prioritise workload, deliver to deadlines' as core skills. The named behaviour 'managing performance' is operational delivery — concurrent demands, structured workflow, follow-through. The whole role is organisational skill in action.
2
Dependability
Conscientious and thorough in their approach to work, delivering what they promise to the necessary standard. Behaves in line with the organisation’s values and ethical principles.
Why this matters for Office administrators and clerks: Business Admin Standard names 'professionalism' and 'takes responsibility' explicitly among required behaviours. CIPD People Practice Apprenticeship Standard adds confidentiality. Reliable attendance, document accuracy, and respect for confidential information are foundational.
3
Customer Focus
Builds effective customer relationships to ensure needs and expectations are understood. Understands the importance of the customer to the business, seeking regular feedback whilst being prepared to say no when needed.
Why this matters for Office administrators and clerks: Customer service is a named knowledge area in the Business Admin Standard, and admin roles increasingly blend with internal stakeholder service. Internal customers (managers, colleagues, suppliers) are core to the role; receptive and responsive service-orientation is the hygiene of the work.
4
Technical Capability
Has the necessary knowledge, skills and proficiency to conduct their role. Demonstrates mastery in their area of technical capability. Stays up to date with advances in their field and commits to their continuous development.
Why this matters for Office administrators and clerks: The Standard explicitly names 'uses IT systems and technology' as a skill — Excel, Word, Outlook, finance and HR systems, CRM, increasingly cloud platforms and AI tools. The role demands sustained digital fluency across multiple systems and ongoing tooling evolution.
5
Collaborative Working
Looks to understand others’ perspectives and objectives. Respects different styles/approaches, whilst adapting their own style to enable them to work effectively with others.
Why this matters for Office administrators and clerks: The Standard names 'team working' explicitly. Admin sits across functions — finance, HR, ops, comms — and sustained cross-functional working is the daily reality. Coordinating diaries, supporting events, handling supplier interactions all require collaborative working.