No matter what job you apply for these days, you will definitely be expected to have knowledge of Microsoft Office programs. Word, Excel, Outlook, MS Project or SharePoint have become indispensable in almost every field. That is why we start at a huge disadvantage in the eyes of HR if we do not have adequate knowledge of these programs.
All of the software mentioned above offer a lot of extras beyond the basic features. Mastering these will give you an even greater advantage in the job market, but it doesn't hurt to ask for help with your learning.
The indispensable office software
Why is Microsoft Office key in the job market?
Although there are many office software packages currently on the market, it is clear that MS Office has won the competition. There are several reasons why Microsoft products have become the benchmark. On the one hand, they are easy to use and can be learned quickly at the basic level. On the other hand, they are available for both Windows and Mac environments , and thanks to the product package, they offer a complete solution.
What programs does the Office suite consist of, and what are they used for?
- Access: A database management program that allows you to filter and search very easily.
- Excel: Spreadsheet software that is also suitable for storing data, but can also be used to create reports.
- Onenote: A note-taking program whose great advantage is that we can share our notes with others.
- Outlook: Perhaps the most widely used email application in the world, which also comes with a calendar.
- Powerpoint: Presentation-making program , which is currently used not only by companies, but also by schools.
- Onedrive: Cloud-based storage where you can store any type of file and access it from anywhere.
- Word: A word processing program with thousands of useful functions.
We need to know these programs
Every job is different and requires different Office skills. However, there are some core features that are considered “must-haves.” The good news is that they can be learned quickly and can be applied regardless of the Office version (e.g. Office 365, Office 2019).
Let's start with the most obvious software, MS Word. Well, every employer rightly expects us to be able to create a document and do formatting in it . For example, we can bold a word , create a list, change the font , or insert an image or table.
The situation is more difficult with Excel , as this program offers a sea of possibilities . It is definitely part of the basics to know functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, PIECE or even logical and search functions. It also doesn't hurt to be able to create charts from the available data .
A user-level knowledge of Outlook is also usually expected. We don't need to think about big things: we should be able to write an email, reply to incoming emails or forward them. It is definitely useful to be aware of how to use the Cc and Bcc functions. It is also important to be able to create an event in the Outlook calendar and share it with others if necessary.
MS Office: how can we keep up with it?
This is how we can learn to use Office
There are several options if you want to delve deeper into Office. The most obvious way is to open the program of your choice and search for tutorials on YouTube that you can learn from. There are countless free guides in Hungarian , but in English you can simply struggle with the confusion of abundance.
In addition to tutorials, textbooks can also be used , but here we must make sure to use an updated, up-to-date version . The best method is also a course. We can also choose free online courses , but with paid courses we will probably get more comprehensive and reliable knowledge.
How long does it take to learn the basics?
If you are confident with your computer, type quickly, and have some IT affinity, it won't take long to master an Office program. For example, you can learn Excel at a basic level in just one day , and the same goes for Word or PowerPoint. Of course, this is only true if you learn from a professional in a classroom setting .
It takes much longer to learn Office from books or online tutorials, as we can't ask questions or seek support during practice. Not to mention that a book that is a few years old may teach an older version of the software that we no longer use.
Which Office course should we choose?
If you have chosen to take a course, you just need to decide what kind of training is right for you. First, you need to consider your existing knowledge and decide whether you need a beginner, advanced or expert course. And do you want to learn all Office programs (a complex course) or just a selected piece of software?
We also consider what pace we could learn at , and whether we would be better off with traditional or online learning . Finally, we should also compare the individual courses based on the size of the groups, who the instructors are, and what references they have.
Continuous learning is important
The development of Office never stops for a minute , so we can be sure that new and new features will soon be added to the programs. In fact, it is not excluded that completely new software will also be part of the package over time, as has already been the case with Teams or OneDrive. So we cannot rest on our laurels once we have completed a course. In order for our knowledge to be up-to-date and valuable in the labor market, we need to go back to school again and again.
Let's not forget that every Office application offers a multitude of possibilities. It's easy to find yourself being expected to have knowledge or practical application of features at work or in a job application that you don't have. In the case of Office, there's always something new to learn.
Is it worth getting Microsoft certifications?
When we apply for a job, we are unlikely to be seated at a computer to demonstrate our Office skills. This should be evident on our resume so that HR can be confident in our abilities. The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications issued by Microsoft provide a solution to this.
The internationally recognized standard proves that we have the skills and expertise in Office that are required for the certification. In the case of Office 2019, we can earn Associate and Expert certifications in programs such as Word, Excel, or Access.
MS Office courses at Training360
What Office courses can we choose from?
If you are looking for a job or just want to deepen your Office knowledge , you can choose from the following training courses offered by Training360, among others :
- Working effectively in Microsoft Word
- Confident basic knowledge in Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Excel - Introduction to Data Analysis
- Creating presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook - Effective digital communication
- Managing databases in Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Office 365 Introductory Course
- Complex Office 365 course
- Complex Office 365 Champion course
- Excel Office Script
MS Office or MS Office 365?
MS Office courses are worth choosing if you want to gain complex knowledge in a given program . In these courses, you can learn Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or even Outlook and Access one by one . MS Office 365 training courses , on the other hand , cover the entire Office 365 product line in one course.
Typically one or two-day online training courses focus on modern features and software such as OneDrive , SharePoint , Microsoft Teams , Yammer , or Microsoft Stream . Also included in Office 365 trainings is the Power Platform, which is beneficial for businesses . What falls into this category?
- Power BI: create business analyses
- Power Apps: Create business apps
- Power Automate: Workflow Automation Toolset
- Power Virtual Agents: Build chatbots
Power Platform training is therefore worth considering mainly for company leaders, senior and middle managers , but it can be a good choice for anyone who aspires to such laurels.
Why it's worth choosing Training360's MS Office courses
Whether you're just getting started with Office or are already at an advanced level, we can help you improve your skills. Office courses are also available online , if that's convenient for you, but there's no reason not to attend traditional, classroom training.
You can get a course that is even more tailored to your needs if you choose one of the mentored courses . These courses are more efficient and flexible , and you can also choose an individually tailored curriculum . In the mentored courses, you have the opportunity to personally consult with the instructor , you can always progress at your own pace , and you can also access the full Hungarian-language video curriculum of the course.
If you also want to get Microsoft Office Specialist certification , Training360 can help you prepare for the exam. You can take the exam itself at Training360's official Certiport Exam Center (CATC). Since the exam is in English, the training also emphasizes getting to know Office functions and the most important terms in English. And all of this is guaranteed by our prepared, experienced and highly qualified instructors!