You can select the best secretary training program based on the types of secretarial jobs you want to pursue and the skills required for each. Candidates for general secretary jobs must have excellent communication and organizational skills. In many cases, computer office software proficiency is also a focus of secretary training. This subject is usually covered by degree or certificate programs at secretary schools. To work in certain professions like medicine or law, some types of secretaries need to have additional specialized knowledge.
A good secretary training program will provide you with both the practical office skills and the sense of professional communication that you’ll need to succeed in a secretarial career. Because most secretary jobs require the ability to touch-type accurately at a minimum of 60 words per minute, many secretary course sequences include at least a few typing classes. This secretary training typically consists of both formal instruction and self-paced sessions in which you can practice typing on a computer keyboard. After you’ve passed your typing classes, good secretarial training will include classes on how to prepare the same types of business documents you’ll see in a secretary’s office.
Classes in creating memos, forms, letters, and other types of written communication found in the business world should also be included in your secretarial training. The correct writing techniques required for professional communication are frequently covered in these courses. Other related secretary courses can also teach effective telephone and in-person spoken communication. This part of your secretary training should ideally include practice time so you can get comfortable with your new skills.
Word processing, basic database use, and spreadsheet creation are common computer skills taught in a secretarial school. The best secretary training program will teach you how to use popular office software effectively in a variety of situations. To keep your skills up to date, these software packages should ideally be the most recent released versions. Elective courses in the use of tablet computers and audio transcription software are available at some secretary schools.
Secretaries who want to work in the legal field should take additional courses in topics like legal terminology and how to file various legal documents properly. Medical secretaries must often learn medical terminology as well as job responsibilities such as billing and insurance claim processing. A thorough foundation in these specific skills will be provided by good secretary training in these areas.