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From what I observed of exceptional secretaries that worker me and what I expected from them was the following:
1. Dress professionally (how you dress do make an impact)
2. Always smile at your client, and if you find an unhappy client, calm him or her down. If the client becomes insulting and your employer is not immediately available to handle the matter, ask the client to leave the premises and come back when your employer has time for him or her (this is actually as strategy to take the person out of the environment and cool yourselves both down).
3. Be punctual and think ahead, for your employer need your memory too.
4. Perfectionism please, no messy paper work and typing errors.
5. Proper phone etiquette.
6. Keep all client information. Information tend to go missing and you will be the one contacted to give your employer and other employees that information.
7. No fighting and gossiping with other ladies at work - it is not professional.
8. Leave your problems at home.
9 If you can not type or do not do calculations, do not even bother applying for this position.
Measuring SUCCESS in secretarial work seems for me ambiguous because secretarial work encompasses everything in terms of Administrative work. Physically it is already given that you need to dress to impress; its a head to toe function especially if your talking to different individuals from VIPs to low level staffs its not an excuse that you pose yourself poorly to clients/customers and bosses. Professionalism it speaks of your work ethics from your time management to what can you give to the company or what you can contribute with the company. It should be balance if you can provide a well groomed physical appearance then it is also much better if you can provide something in terms of what you know(brains). Good Physical Appearance = Good and well rounded person.
You need to be a thorough professional. Well dressed, pleasing personality, courteous and good phone etiquette, diary management, forward thinking, good organisational and time management skills, multi-tasking, team player, efficient & attentive to detail, maintain confidentaility where required, well informed, ready to walk the extra mile.
Deatiled oriented, accurate, professionalism and ready to compromise any situation.
ask questions before you perform the task, rather know what is expected from you before you start the task rather than correcting mistakes and wasting valuable time on the assignment. Efficiency and time management is vital.
