Work & Money 

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What do secretaries actually do?

A secretary's work varies enormously depending on the organisation worked for and the level of responsibility the job carries. It's a title that can mean almost anything you want it to. Some secretaries will spend most of their day typing and making tea, others in more senior positions will at times stand in for their boss and take decisions on his or her behalf. In general a secretary is there to support the boss. This can involve opening mail, writing replies to letters and emails, taking dictation, typing, word processing, photocopying and filing. There's usually quite a bit of phone work too, taking messages and making calls. Secretaries are often responsible for keeping a diary of appointments, and may be involved in buying office supplies and keeping accounts. Senior secretaries or personal assistants may be responsible for supervising staff, organising conferences, and representing their managers when they are out of the office. They may need to decide what to deal with themselves and what to pass on. Nowadays most secretaries need to be able to use a computer and word processing packages. It's important to work accurately and to tight deadlines. Excellent spoken and written English is essential, employers will look for evidence that you are well organised and able to use your initiative. If you're applying for jobs, employers should provide you with a job description that explains what will be expected of you. If they don't, ask for one, otherwise you won't know what you're letting yourself in for.

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