TEXT C. Secretarial Skill Requirements

Task: go through the text and find out how secretarial skill requirements vary according to the nature of their roles and functions.

Skill requirements vary according to the nature of secretarial roles and functions in organisations, the extent to which secretaries are expected to fulfil more traditional as well as new roles, and level of seniority¹.

As support workers, secretaries are expected to have good oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills such as tact and diplomacy, and an understanding of the organisational structure and nature of the business. They also need to be able to use a range of computer applications, office equipment and technology.

As team workers, they need to be assertive, to be able to manage pressure and conflicting demands, to have an understanding of group dynamics, be both cooperative and collaborative, and be able to manage conflict and consensus. As many team secretaries are expected to provide a key link between group members, team working and coordination skills are becoming increasingly important.

As independent workers, secretaries are developing their own areas of work and responsibilities. There are two distinct areas where secretaries are more likely to maximise their opportunities for ‘independent work’, namely IT and the broader area of secretarial training, development and supervision. In some organisations secretaries are increasingly regarded as ‘IT experts’, and are expected to provide formal and informal training to other staff, and to contribute to the organisation’s IT policy. In some cases, more senior secretaries are also likely to get involved in secretarial recruitment, have responsibility for coaching and mentioning² more junior secretarial staff, and for advising management on secretarial development and training needs.

Notes:

¹ level of seniority – уровень занимаемой должности

² have responsibility for coaching and mentioning – отвечают за инструктирование и дают отзыв о работе

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