Queries

Originally Posted by Unregistered

great job there. you took time to place everything a person looking into these roles can ask for. While most people might have just taken a quick glance and brush it off, you actually bring the whole vast nature of work to the tabletop.

Hope to see your posts again.

Thanks for the thought. I just figured since I know a bit about this job, should clear up some misconception over here.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Wow, very insightful post!!!

Just curious not sure if you know, for the secretary or the PA career, most people usually start from what sort of job?

It’s hard to say for sure because a secretarial or PA job is primarily a relationship management job with boss, other secretaries, boss’s stakeholders and external vendors. The basic admin stuff is pretty standard anyway (how old bird can you get from booking a hotel room or calendar?), so in theory anyone can do because it requires no specific technical qualification or experience.

From experience, I would say roughly 2/3 work in some kind of admin job for many years before while the rest have HR, Corporate Affairs or Sales background. It isn’t a place for high fliers, so most of them are at least mid or late 30s by the time they reach that level.

Data entry job in goverment also talk so much, just go down nearest Recruit Express and ask them got any lobang lor, should get a few offers in a week...

Originally Posted by Minicks

Bellmiko,

Aha, but the devil is in the details. Both basic administrator & executive secretary & even PA can be doing overlap jobs that consist of managing calendars, travel arrangements, or organizing events, but the expectations and problem solving required are very different. Organizations can call whatever BS title they want, but you yourself cannot be confused & think they are all the same.

Let me be clearer less you lump anyone that arrange meetings as secretary:

Managing Calendars

Exec Secretary – Expected to understand the nature of meeting & priority of each stakeholder. Knows how to reshuffle, prioritize & front stakeholders who are requesting meeting with the boss. In the event of last minute changes, able to make decisions on the spot and guess 80% who, when where the boss would want to meet first in the event of conflict. Understands boss preferred timings, likes & dislikes on venue, who he now trying to “siam” etc.

Basic Administrator – Order taker. People call to make meeting with boss, you look at Outlook calendar, find an empty slot and key in timing to reserve slot. Boss call & say I wana arrange meeting with so & so, you go call up person & book a timing. Any conflict with multiple stakeholders you call boss & ask what he want.

Travel Arrangements

Exec Secretary – You liase actively with your counterparts in other country to make all necessary arrangement & present your boss his travel itinerary, this often includes sorting out complicated visa requirements, local transport arrangements, liasing with multiple overseas parties to make sure boss can meet whoever he wants over there. Overseas interview for candidates is the worst, bloody problematic & prone to last minute changes. Many times could involve boss family members on private trips as well.

Basic Administrator – Order taker. Boss say need to fly to China next week. You phone travel agent, find out all available flight times and ask what he want. If got corporate hotel, help him reserve a room for required duration.

Above just 2 examples to show you how although you can say both jobs are “managing calendar” & “doing travel arrangement”, the expectation completely different. Just as a guide, secretaries are usually paid $4 - $5k, that’s about 3 times your current level.

Looking at your description, I’m certain she will only be offered a admin role no matter what company. I don’t think employers will expect that kind of secretarial standard for $1.7k. My boss was trying to recruit his personal secretary after the previous one left, he was complaining to HR that the budget of $3k not enough, in the end have to combine budget with another department head to share 1 secretary.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Present yourself well and get to know rich and handsome lawyers, hook on one to marry and your are settled for life. Just play the docile wife and make him happy. Many times better than slogging for low pay.

Women's youth is their source of almost everything.

Eh.. But the lawyer these days also prefer foreign talents women leh..
Unless you are really so damn lucky to be born with divine beauty...
Your "hitch a rich husband" plan will not work for most women...
Likewise for nurses who want to hook some young and rich doctor..
Oh.. and as well as for the flight stewardess that also similarly hopes to hook a young handsome pilot... I guess everybody likes to daydream sometimes... but its better look in the mirror and ask yourself honestly do you have what it takes??