Secretary 

How did you get your current job?
employment agency

What was the application process?
Filled out questionnaire, computer skills test, resume/cover letter, in person interview

Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
Yes. In fact, I interviewed 3 times. First with the office manager, then with the group of bankers I would have been working for (but then decided to put me with another group), then with that group. Overall it took 3-4 weeks. Ridiculous, in my opinion.

If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
They asked about my background, and it seemed that they wanted me to know that if I went in as a secretary, that’s not a stepping stone to move my way into being an Analyst. I guess they have a previous applicant say that.

Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
No. I had to learn from the secretary next to me, but there was no formal training/outline. Everything that I learned, I either figured out, or learned from other secretaries.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
No training.

Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
I’m overeducated for this position. You don’t need to be extremely smart for this position. However, I feel my education, well, made me more educated, and who wouldn’t want someone educated working for them?

If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
I didn’t have an internship experience for this position.

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
I highly suggest getting the help of employment agencies. “Knowing people” won’t get you into this type of business anymore – especially not in these times. When firms do need employees, they will outsource and have those companies filter through all applicants and provided qualified personnel.

What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
You have to be an all around knowledgeable and polite person. You deal with phones and huge clients all the time – and quite frankly, a rude secretary leaves a massive (negative) impression. Also, you have to be knowledgeable, especially on the computer. A lot of bankers are very familiar with computers, and they come to you when they don’t know how to do/find something. If you still have to look at the keyboard when you type, or you “double click” links when they only need a single click, you aren’t cut out for this job. Lastly, organization is huge. If you aren’t organized, and your banker needs something quick, you’ve let them down. Remember, you’re there to make them look good.

Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Absolutely. Computer training. But not necessarily a certain level of education as long as you know your grammar and are polite.

What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Get in, work a few years, get out. This isn’t a job you do for your entire life unless you’ve climbed all the way up to the big wigs in the company. Or, jump to a different company where they pay more.