They should also be familiar with office machine operations, word processors or computers, desktop publishing, bookkeeping, and other business subjects. Secretarial training at a community college or business school is a plus. Some employers will consider persons for the job, even if they don't have all the skills, but do have a good personality and get along well with other people. Since Secretaries get the experience to make good judgments and knowledge on the job, some employers will not hire applicants until they have two to three years of experience. Secretaries can take classes and examinations leading to certification as a professional Secretary.
Certification is gotten by passing a six part test and meeting the experience requirement.
Information about these classes and tests can be gotten by writing or calling the office of Professional Secretaries International. All applicants should be prepared to take written tests of their ability to do clerical work and performance tests for typing and stenography skills. They can, in time, promote to be administrative or executive secretaries or supervisors. Some employers promote Secretaries into management positions. In smaller offices, promotions maybe limited to pay raises based on their responsibility.