Trainee secretary positions can be found in almost any type of business or organization, as well as many local and national government agencies. Secretaries must be capable of a wide range of tasks, including writing reports and scheduling events, as well as defusing tense workplace situations. Because many secretarial skills are honed and perfected through hands-on experience, many trainee secretary jobs provide real-world experience for aspiring secretaries.
Because secretaries have frequent contact with clients, customers, and coworkers, phone skills are essential for all employees working for a company or organization. Switchboard duties are common in trainee secretary jobs, and the trainee will spend the majority of the day answering phones, fielding questions, and interacting with customers. As the trainee becomes more familiar with the phone system, the company’s employees, and its products, he or she may be given more challenging tasks to complete. If the trainee performs well, he or she may be moved away from the switchboard and into a more advanced position.
A trainee secretary’s typical responsibilities include greeting customers, scheduling appointments, and taking messages. These fundamental abilities are essential for becoming a successful secretary. Typing is a common part of secretarial jobs, and trainee secretary jobs are frequently replete with typing assignments. A trainee may be one of many trainees in a pool of typists when they join a company or firm. Filing is another office task that frequently falls to trainees.
Some trainee secretary jobs can lead to rapid advancement. Typically, these are trainee positions working under an experienced secretary who is about to leave or accept a promotion. Because secretaries are such an important part of the workforce, promotions are frequently contingent on the successful training of a replacement. Trainee jobs with an outgoing secretary are frequently preferred because the trainer can share what he or she has learned in order to master the duties and skills required to succeed in the role.
Many legal secretaries begin their careers as trainees in secretarial positions. This enables the employer to keep a close eye on work flow and efficiency while also assessing the trainee’s potential. Trainee secretary positions are frequently available at hospitals, manufacturing companies, and insurance agencies. Trainee secretaries can work in a variety of departments within a company, including human resources, sales, and accounting. There are also some secretary trainee positions available in the music industry, at major universities, and with non-profit organizations.