Best Microsoft Outlook Classes Online

Microsoft Outlook is an application used for task management, including emailing, scheduling, and managing contact lists. Those with Outlook training have many career options in roles involving coordination or administration such as Office Manager, Administrative Assistant, or Scheduling Coordinator. Outlook is an essential tool that helps them streamline scheduling and keep track of communications. One of the main benefits of working with Outlook is that it seamlessly integrates with several other Microsoft apps such as SharePoint and OneDrive, which improves Office functionality and facilitates collaboration among team members. Additionally, this application also has other features for collaboration such as shared meeting schedules and calendars, which make it a go-to for teams. 

In the U.S., nearly 1.5 million companies rely on Outlook for email management. This represents just over half of the worldwide customer base. Those who study how to use this industry-standard tool through online coursework not only have a range of career options across industries, but are also more productive and better able to manage their time while working.

Industries Seeking Microsoft Outlook Talent

Because of its features for collaboration, task management, and communication, Outlook plays an important role in many industries. The following list will take a closer look at several industries in which Outlook expertise is valued:

• Marketing: Marketing teams rely on Outlook to manage email campaigns, monitor response rates, and collaborate to create marketing materials.

• Project management: Because Outlook is commonly used for scheduling, management, and emailing, it’s a staple tool for Project Managers who are tasked with overseeing multiple team projects.

• Consulting: Outlook is able to integrate with several other Office apps, which makes it a good resource for managing large volumes of communication in consulting.

• Healthcare: Those who work in healthcare use Outlook to schedule patient appointments, keep track of their records, and foster collaboration among healthcare professionals and other stakeholders in the medical environment.

• IT services: Outlook is a widely used tool for IT professionals to manage tasks, communicate with one another internally, and keep track of system issues.

• Education: Those who work in the education industry often turn to Outlook to communicate with teachers, parents, students, or administrators. It’s also used to manage student tasks and keep track of their academic records.

• Professional Services: Knowledge of Outlook is valued in professional services because it helps manage tasks, communicate with clients, and collaborate on work-related projects.

• Finance: Finance professionals use Outlook to manage correspondence with clients, keep track of upcoming tasks, and send internal communications.

Career Paths & Job Responsibilities for Microsoft Outlook Professionals

Careers that involve Microsoft Outlook training vary, depending on the industry and professional role. Administrative Assistants use Outlook to manage multiple scheduling demands, handle internal and external correspondences, and facilitate communication among team members. Office Managers use it to schedule meetings and streamline office operations. Receptionists use it to book appointments and handle client inquiries. Outlook is also widely used by Executive Assistants who support senior leadership. They work with this app to tackle complex workflows and create schedules. 

In addition to administrative roles, other career paths use Outlook to manage daily tasks. For example, Business Analysts work with Outlook to book meetings, communicate with stakeholders, and manage projects. Software Engineers use it to manage projects and collaborate with others on their team. Data Analysts, too, benefit from this app’s scheduling features. In finance, Accountants rely on Outlook to manage documents and perform scheduling tasks. Financial Analysts use it to integrate with other Office applications.

Average Salaries for Microsoft Outlook Professionals in the United States

Salary ranges vary significantly for Outlook-related careers. Remote salaries are moderate. Administrative Assistants who work remotely and use Outlook make about $45,000-$50,000 a year. Executive Assistants, who usually tackle greater responsibilities, make a higher salary and can expect to earn approximately $70,000-$80,000 annually. According to Glassdoor, the most senior Executive Assistants can make $85,000 or more. IT Support Technicians with Outlook proficiency earn in the range of $50,000-$60,000 for remote career options. Location is another important determinant of salary in Outlook career paths. In cities like Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York, and San Francisco, salary ranges are usually slightly more competitive, which reflects a higher cost of living. 

Notable Employers Looking to Hire Microsoft Outlook Professionals

Nearly all industries are looking to hire Outlook talent, both in-person and for remote positions. Fortune 500 companies, as well as other large organizations like universities and hospitals, are always on the lookout for qualified administrative staff with Outlook skills. Additionally, financial institutions like Capital One often hire remote Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants. Belay, Boldly, and other specialized staffing agencies recruit Virtual Assistants who work with Outlook to help clients. Major metropolitan areas like NYC, D.C, and Los Angeles are hotspots for professionals seeking Outlook-related career paths. 

Current Microsoft Outlook Trends 

Microsoft Outlook continues to incorporate AI technology into this application. One trend of note is the “Frontier Firm, ” in which employees can create and manage AI tools to boost their productivity. Another emerging trend is the “New Outlook for Windows, ” which has new features like improved icons for folders and tools that enable users to delete meeting invites directly from their inboxes after they respond.

The Microsoft Work Trend Index illustrates how workplace capacity strain is presenting increased challenges in many workplaces. AI-driven tools and other solutions are in high demand to help mitigate this issue. AI agents, therefore, are becoming more common in many workplaces. By some estimates, it’s expected that within the next five years, teams will be commonly training and overseeing AI agents. The Work Trend Index also shows a movement toward “agent bosses, ” or those who work with AI to gain better control over their careers. An increasing number of organizations are also gravitating toward using integrated AI-powered intelligence and creating agent-human teams that can help them gain a competitive edge. 

Another emerging trend is the prevalence of Outlook users who work with multiple calendars in Outlook and Google Calendar to manage schedules. This can pose challenges for managing time. In the new version of Outlook for Windows, which Microsoft is rolling out (some users have automatically been switched already), the classic version has been updated with many new features such as a “None” category of colors in Calendar and Mail, and a feature for recording and pinning folders. This new Outlook was created to improve email management and productivity by offering organizational options that are less rigid.