I have been applying for other jobs because teaching jobs are few and far between. I was struggling with what to put on my resume because all my jobs for 15 years had to do with teaching. Someone suggested changing my resume to reflect some of my skills I learned from being a teacher. So here some ideas:
List all computer programs you are familiar with - esp. word processing like Word, spreadsheet programs like Excel, Power point, Publisher, Internet, search engines, etc.
Highlight your organizational skills (you would be shocked how many people can't alphabetize)
Discuss working under deadlines = time management & ability to prioritize
Typing skills (there are free typing tests online you can take to see how fast you can type)
Familiarity with a foreign language
Abililty to work with others (If you got an interview, discuss how you were able to handle a challenging parent, which translates to handling difficult customers.)
If you've ever chaired a committee, hosted an event, ran a training or meeting
Creativity - can be creating a lesson or creating a performance, display - shows you can think outside the box
One of the best ways to get into clerical/administrative assistant work is to join a temp agency - or join 2 or 3 since different companies sign up with different temp agencies. It will give you experience and if you don't like an assignment you just tell the temp agency and they will place you somewhere else. The downside is you make less money than being hired directly by a company because they are paying a the temp agency a fee above your salary. The plus side is that you may get hired on permanently. You can also continue to look for another job while you temp and if you are hired somewhere else, you just quit the temp agency.
Good Link: http://www.bestcareerplanning.com/change/permalink.php?article=Change+Career.txt
