How To

How to Prepare for a Secretarial Job

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

Rate: (3 Ratings)

A secretary is the most vital part of any office. Here's how to prepare your emotions, your body, your family, and your wardrobe for one of the most challeging jobs on the planet. (Seriously.)

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate
Step1
Take time out during the day to catch your breath. A secretary job is emotionally draining. You are acting as the eyes, ears, and voice for an office of people. Whether there are five employees or 500, you will be partially responsible for all of them. Figure out what it is that you need to get through the day.
Step2
Prepare your family and friends. A secretarial job can be enjoyable, but it will most definitely be stressful. There will be days when you are irritable or moments when you need to be alone. The people closest to you will appreciate a heads up.
Step3
Think about your wardrobe. A secretarial job generally requires business casual, but this will vary greatly depending on the company and the region of the country.
Step4
Forge relationships with each office mate and avoid conflict. Everyone has a unique personality, and as a secretary, you don't have the luxury of avoiding people. Be a diplomat. You won't see eye-to-eye with everyone, but maintaining a professional relationship is key.
Step5
Make a schedule. Secretaries do a lot of administration and organization, so the last thing you will want to do is come home and be faced with your own life planning. Make easy lunches for yourself. Do your finances before work or during your lunch hour so you can relax at night and on the weekends. Remember to include social outings and weekend trips. Take control of your personal life so your job doesn't!
Step6
Treat yourself. A secretarial job is demanding because you are serving others all day long. Additionally, secretaries often put in long hours on the job. Plan time to renew your energy and participate in activities you enjoy or you will find yourself burned out and resenting your superiors!

Tips & Warnings

  • Find someone outside of your job with whom you can vent. A good friend, relative or confidant who is willing to listen as you let out your office frustrations can make all the difference in the world.
  • Some secretaries take lunch at their desks, while others go out to eat. Regardless of your budget, it's a good idea to get away from the office for at least a half-hour when possible.
  • Be cautious about close friendships in the workplace. Secretaries interact with everyone, so chances are, you'll find people you really like. Good relationships are healthy for the office environment, but divulging too much information to someone can be dangerous and costly.

Comments

| View All Comments

JessHeng said

Flag This Comment

on 5/19/2008 I like your tips. It fits to what I am doing as a Secretary now. Planning to enrich oneself is also important, for job and relationship topic, like how to resolve conflict if we are working in an envrionment with a few Secretaries. Keeping to one boundary is important and sensitive.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article: How to Prepare for a Secretarial Job

eHow Careers & Work Editor

Related Ads

Careers & Work
Kristen Fischer,

Meet Kristen Fischer eHow’s Careers & Work Expert.