Basic understanding of office skills and some GCSE’s should get you a start in secretary jobs. You must be computer literate and be able to use MS Office and Outlook Express.

Secretaries must be good at typing and communication on the phone and face to face. Employers often look for customer service experience on your CV, as this shows you will be able to work with people. Working alone is a skill and requires self motivation.

With increasing levels of office automation, retraining is an integral part of secretarial jobs. There’s always a need for adaptable secretaries.

There are a variety of ways that you can gain secretarial skills. There are various educational routes to follow, from specific college courses to a careful selection of GCSE subjects. You may be able to find a training course at a local temping agency. If you can get a break in an entry level job, the best way to learn is by doing the work.

Promotions and higher pay come with experience and lead to more responsibility and stress if you are not prepared.

The jobs secretaries are sometimes promoted into, include:

• senior or executive secretary
• administrative assistant
• clerical supervisor
• office manager

To become a supervisor or manager may require gaining experience and developing your skills. Opportunities like this are usually available in medium to large companies. Experience as a secretary can also lead to positions like instructor or sales representative when working for manufacturers or software companies.

Another route to follow is to go into the legal industry. A good way of getting in to law, many paralegals start out as secretaries for law firms. Promotions in this field are often more rewarding than others. This will require dedication and hard work.