How to Be a School Secretary

School secretaries must be good at multi-tasking.

School secretarial positions vary from district to district and from school to school. In some elementary schools in larger education systems, the bookkeeping/secretary position and registrar/attendance secretary may be two separate positions. Large high schools may have secretaries for the guidance and athletic department, as well as for the principal. A small school, on the other hand, may require you to be a jack of all trades and do it all.

Things You'll Need

• Updated Resume

Instructions

1. Research and determine the position you want to apply for. Decide whether you want to work in a high school or an elementary school, as a bookkeeper or handling attendance. It's also important to note the hours and days required to work for a position, as some positions work all year, while others are off for the summer.

2. Update your resume, and highlight skills important for a school secretary. Principals are looking for individuals who can multi-task, can deal with demanding or angry parents, and can be trusted not to gossip about sensitive issues that may happen in the school or be revealed by a student about his family issues.

3. Apply. Most school positions require you to apply to the school district's human resource department, not to the school itself. In addition, some districts may have some tests to take. Most, if not all, schools today also do background checks on applicants.

4. Introduce yourself. Some principals won't meet with prospective employees, but it doesn't hurt to stop by a school with an open position and drop off a resume.

5. Apply to be a substitute secretary at the same time you apply for regular employment. Substituting is a good way to become known to principals. In addition, you may be able to learn the attendance or bookkeeping programs unique to the school, which will give you a leg up over the competition.

   Volunteering or working as a temporary summer school secretary is a good way to become known to principals and to learn school software programs.

6. Prepare for the interview. The principal will probably ask you how you would deal with an angry parent, a sick child, a child who comes to you with a personal issue. Think out your answers ahead of time so that you can answer smoothly when in the actual interview.

Tips & Warnings

• Persevere. School secretary positions are attractive to many mothers who want a schedule that closely matches their children's schedules, so there are often many applicants.

References

• Rockford, Illinois, Public School Human Resouces: Application requirements
• San Diego Unified School District Human Resources: Application requirements