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What does a Secretary do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A secretary is a person who provides administrative and secretarial support to an organization or individual.

Secretary job duties include:

  • Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.
  • Open, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and email.
  • Write responses to correspondence containing routine inquiries.
  • Perform general office duties such as ordering supplies, maintaining records management systems, and performing basic bookkeeping work.
  • Complete forms in accordance with company procedures.
  • File and retrieve corporate documents, records, and reports.
  • Prepare meeting materials such as agendas, notices, minutes, resolutions, orders, or instructions.
  • Make travel arrangements for executives or other staff members.
  • Research requested information using available resources.

Secretary Job Requirements

A secretary typically needs a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and secretarial training is often helpful. Certification is not usually required, but there are voluntary certification programs available. Some secretaries have several years of experience working in an office, while others have recently graduated from a secretarial program.

Secretary Skills

  • Communication
  • Organization
  • Planning
  • Time management
  • Customer service
  • Writing
  • Research
  • Problem solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Flexibility
  • Teamwork

Related: Top Secretary Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Secretary

A secretary is a person who provides administrative support to an organization or individual. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, and maintaining records. To become a secretary, you will need to have strong communication and organizational skills. You will also need to be proficient in using computers and other office equipment. Here are a few tips to help you get started on your career as a secretary:

1. Get a degree in business administration or a related field. This will give you the basic knowledge and skills you need to perform your duties as a secretary.

2. Take courses in computer applications and office procedures. These will help you to be more efficient in your work.

3. Develop strong communication skills. As a secretary, you will be required to communicate with people both inside and outside of the organization. You should be able to express yourself clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally.

4. Be organized and detail-oriented. A good secretary must be able to keep track of many different tasks at once and pay attention to the details.

5. Have a positive attitude. As the first point of contact for many people, it is important that you project a professional and friendly image.

Related: Secretary Resume Example

Related: Secretary Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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