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What qualities do you need if you want to be a secretary? Is it just about being a super fast typist? It's part of it. These days, young people do not learn typing as standard and so someone with good typing skills who has actually learned how to type is a great asset.

Rather than having several good skills though, the gift of being a good secretary comes with being able to tie all those skills together and keep everything afloat. Secretaries may not get the credit their high flying bosses get, but any good boss knows how indispensable a good secretary is.

Traditionally, secretaries were known for being attractive and pretty. People liked the idea of a pretty face at the door of their company. These days, it would be pretty bad to advertise for a "Pretty young girl" however, some ads to ask for someone with "immaculate appearance". So despite modern progress, it is essentially the same thing. Obviously you don't want a lazy looking slob at the front desk, but how far do looks get you?

Any professional working in a corporate or professional environment should be able to put their best face on for work and leave their personal lives at home. This is still valued very much in a secretary, but one wonders if there is an assumption that this would be harder for a woman to do than a man. It is important that women do not overcompensate for this stereotype and come across too cold and ice maiden like to customers.

A major part of being a secretary is being able to communicate with everyone. If you simply speak to your boss but no one else in the company, then you will find it difficult. However if you build a rapport with everyone, and everyone feels they can approach you and use you to get messages to your boss, then you will generally find your job much easier. You do need to run a tight ship and not be bullied by other people around you, but at the same time, relax and don't get too stressed under the pressure.