I went for an interview today for a receptionist's post!!! I am tired of working for my dad wanted to do something new, but the guy told me I will be good for a secretary's post??? Is that good or bad???
2007-04-26 11:29:11 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
The terms can be interchangeable, but it all depends on the size of the company.
A Receptionist (no matter what the size of the company) is usually the person who sits in the foyer and is the "meet and greet" for any visitors. They also usually are the person who answers all incoming calls and then directs them to the correct person.
A Secretary usually sits in the back office area, and tends to provide administration support to at least one (usually more) people.
Traditionally, girls who wanted to be Secretaries started off as REceptionists. Receptionists in a large company usually provide overload administration support to secretaries.
Then, they would move into the back office and become a Team Secretary - providing support to a small team. Next progression in their career is a Personal Secretary (now called a Personal Assistant) to a Manager.
A Secretarial post is one where you need to be incredibly organised, and also good at anticipating things that might be needed. You need to have good time management skills, and endless amounts of patience. You also need exceptional typing, spelling and grammar skills, and be able to turn your hand to everything from spreadsheets to a little desktop publishing.
It's very good to be told that - Secretaries keep things running. Most Managers and teams admit that without their Secretaries, they would collapse in a heap.
However, it is a very rewarding career, and you can end up earning quite big $$$.
2007-04-26 11:44:47 · answer #1 · answered by madilayn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A secretary, or more commonly, administrative assistant, tends to do more computer work and has more responsibity for less people. A receptionist is the front line often sitting out and being the first impression anyone gets of the company. They answer multi-lined phone calls and field random questions and take mail and package deliveries. Receptionist is pretty dead end. As a secretary you'd have more opportunity to be mobile and show off your skills more so if you want to advance I'd take that one. Maybe he saw you as a go-getter and that's why he said that.
2007-04-26 18:44:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A receptionist is basically a phone operator who transfers calls. A secretary would be doing paper work and possibly doing chores.
2007-04-26 18:43:34 · answer #3 · answered by gregory_dittman 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Offhand, I'd say a receptionist deals with any members of the public who come in while a secretary generally doesn't, but the terms seem pretty much interchangeable.
2007-04-26 18:32:44 · answer #4 · answered by William S 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you wanna be a phone operator or a pencil pusher both jobs properly titled would be a "girl friday"
secretarys typically make very good money. well better money than a phone girl anyways, lol!
2007-04-26 18:39:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
"receptionist" is a more politically correct term for secretary.
Similar to the modern term "Flight attendant"
2007-04-26 18:37:00 · answer #6 · answered by Plazzmoidi F. McStinkleshlonger 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋