Summary
What is the role of a secretary?
Homepage
The secretary is often the company’s first contact. She answers the phone and emails, takes messages and welcomes visitors.
Organization
The secretary manages the agendas, organizes meetings, business trips and trade fairs and conferences.
Entry, shipping, archiving…
The secretary writes the letters and manages their dispatch. She classifies the files and ensures the administrative follow-up.
What are his working conditions?
Feminine and urban profession
97% of the secretaries are women and work, for the most part, in the big cities where the tertiary activity is concentrated.
Multitude of places
All companies, from SMEs to multinationals, need at least one secretary. She can therefore work in very different environments: medical office, craftsman, administration, CAC 40 company… each workplace has its own characteristics.
Telework
Liberal professions and craftsmen are increasingly calling on secretaries working from home. In this case, they can work in a telecommuting company or at home.
How much does a secretary earn?
A beginner secretary is paid around €1,500 gross per month in the private sector and from €1,200 in the public service.
What training to become a secretary?
Bac pro: the minimum
The management-administration professional baccalaureate is the first diploma giving access to the profession of secretary.
BTS
The BTS gives access to most secretarial positions. In some companies, however, it is also required to have specific knowledge: legal, commercial, linguistic, etc.
2 BTS training in the profession of secretary:
It is possible to prepare them alternately.
What qualities are needed?
Personal qualities…
A secretary must be friendly, diplomatic and have a sense of service.
To these qualities must be added a good presentation and a good elocution.
… and professional
Rigor, method, a sense of organization and a spirit of synthesis are essential professional qualities for a secretary.
The practice of English is essential.
A perfect mastery of the computer tool, an excellent spelling and a high typing speed on the keyboard complete the portrait of the perfect secretary.
Content updated on 07/10/2012
Our tips:
If knowledge of English is essential, mastering a third language can help you get a more interesting job.