Why A Secretary Isn't Necessarily A Loser

By Author: David Villa
Total Articles: 26
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Underestimated
Okay, maybe secretaries aren't portrayed as losers. But there are some serious misunderstandings about the job. Because although many people seem to think the contrary, being a secretary is more than just picking up the phone and writing down messages all day. Surely being a secretary is one of the most underestimated jobs around. In fact it's not even that easy. It's actually quite a tough position and you have to put your foot down in many occasions.

Foot down?
That's right. It takes a lot of gut to say NO to your boss. Think about it! And as a secretary, when you're busy handling people's requests, it's difficult not letting them walk all over you. How do you make your job more productive? Best way to start is to sit down and realize what you want to get from your job. Is it just a way to make money or do you take it seriously and you want to get further in your career? If you've got a serious attitude towards your job, pay attention.

Start on the right foot
Take for example your first day on the job. Like any new job, you'll be overwhelmed with a lot of new information. Concentrate, ...
... focus and stay calm. Write down the necessary points (as you'll be doing this on the job as well, it shouldn't be too hard) and keep in mind that the endless stream of info will sink in eventually. You'll fit in after a while and it will get easier once you're in the right flow. Because of the new experiences and your current lack of knowledge things might seem like quite the challenge. It will get better, of course it will!

Dare to ask
So on or right after that first day, you just started your job and you're still new. Don't be scared to ask some relevant questions if you're confused or you don't understand something. It's a good thing to ask for more information as it shows your interest and your desire to learn! Stay relaxed while doing so though, you don't want to pressure your colleagues into helping you while they've got stuff to do themselves. It's good to ask, you will all benefit!

Take a pen and
Write things down! Just make sure to always have a notebook or writing pad in reach. Seriously, write things down where you can find them again. So no post-its! You're bound to loose them. Write down what you need to do tomorrow. That's right, like that you're well prepared and ready to go the next day. Try to organize your tasks by sorting them on relevance and urgency. Less important things can be done later. Start with the deadlines and tasks that were asked to be done by your boss. He's the man in charge, don't let him down.

NO is the hardest word
But it'll pay off if you learn to say it! If for example you're being showered with all kinds of requests and tasks because you work in a bigger office, it might seem hard to decline. Don't be scared! There is a solution. Just tell them you are busy and you can't pick up their task immediately. Tell them you need to do this and this first and then you'll get to it after you finish. Unless, of course, the request is coming from your boss.

I can do this!
Good for you, because companies are hiring. And what are they looking for? They need people who can deal with things that have gone wrong and who can fix them. People who can deal with stress and who are willing to step up. Also people with secretarial skills who are so efficient that those things are unlikely to go wrong in the first place. High on the wish list are secretaries who are adaptable, supportive and are able to present a warm and friendly face. Even when things are not going according to plan! Keep on smiling, no matter what. Not so much a job for those who can't do anything else, huh? Indeed, it takes a lot more than answering a phone

Picking up the phone and writing down phone numbers sounds easy. Mix this with stress, lots of pressure and requests from all over the place. You're a secretary! And if you are, you're in for some serious fun and money. Do you have what it takes? Check out the vacatures secretaresse or job offers!