What you Will Learn

A secretarial course is your answer to gaining skills without having any experience. The skills you will pick up are transferable and prepares you for the daily duties of a secretary.  

Professionalism

How you conduct and carry yourself will be a reflection of the company you work for. It is important that you are professional at all times when representing the business. Professionalism is all about being productive, taking initiative, effective communication and building work relationships. With distance learning you will learn all these elements that form part of being professional.

Time Management 

Time management is also an important skill to have when becoming a secretary. There will be constant deadlines you need to meet and different tasks that need your attention. This course and distance learning will help you manage your time effectively. 

Organisational Skills

Meeting tight deadlines will prepare you for the real world and its demands. Independent learning will encourage you to learn how to prioritise work and keep track of all the tasks you need to complete. 

Computer Practice

Depending on the course you study for, you will learn computer practice. Computer literacy and typing is one of the most important skills you can have. Secretaries will do most of their work on the computer. Our courses will teach you the basics. 

Where can I Study Secretarial Courses in South Africa?

In South Africa, there are quite a few learning institutions you can enrol to study at. Some of them offer Secretarial Courses. Cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban there have few colleges where you can enrol for this course. However, if you don’t live in these areas, these colleges won’t be easy to access. Distance learning will give you quality education, no matter where you live in South Africa. This is also the best option if you currently have a job and or other responsibilities. 

Skills You Need to Become a Secretary

Even though movies and tv series make this job seem like it’s an easy one to do, it’s not. Not everyone is fit to become a secretary. This job requires someone who has a good combination of the following soft and technical skills. 

Soft Skills 

Soft skills are the personal attributes each person has. These skills may not seem important to you, but it’s very important to most recruiters. If these skills don’t come to you naturally, you can work on them. This requires a lot of practice. 

• Listening 
• Communication
• Flexibility 
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Decision making
• Leadership
• Social skills
• Punctuality

Technical Skills

This refers to one’s ability to perform specific tasks. These may vary depending on the job or industry you want to work in.

• Computer literacy and typing
• Knowledge in email and internet browsing
• Experience using telephone switchboard
• Filing and record keeping

How can I Become a Secretary?

If you have a can-do attitude with amazing people skills, then becoming a secretary is worth considering. You will have to perform clerical duties, answering phones, and serve as the first point of contact to those visiting your office. 

Enrol for a Course

Gain a competitive edge by enrolling for Secretary Courses. These courses will help you gain more knowledge regarding the job and help you prepare for the daily duties. Other than that, having a qualification behind your name could also open doors for you. 

Look at the Classifieds

Once you have finished your course, then it’s time to look for jobs. You can do this by browsing popular job portals and flipping through newspapers. Make sure to update your CV and write an incredible cover letter.

Gain Experience

Some secretarial jobs will require you to have experience first. You can gain some by applying for internships with the government or volunteering. The experience you need to get the job doesn’t always have to be working as a receptionist. You just need to have a demonstrated ability performing administrative tasks.