sulli1
Newbie
Posts: 5
|
 |
« on: October 04, 2007, 05:12:47 pm » |
|
Hi All,
I am thinking of going temping for a while and was just wondering what others felt about shorthand - should I brush up on my 'rusty' skills as I haven't used it for years? Is it still called for in the secretarial workplace?
I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts.
Thanks,
Sulli1
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Katie G
|
|
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2007, 08:08:39 pm » |
|
I can only speak for myself, but I've been an admin for 13 years and shorthand has never been a job requirement. In fact, I believe they just removed it from our organization's job application site as a required skill.
While it can never hurt to brush up on a skill, my boss is far more likely to jot down a few rough ideas in an email or on a notepad and it's up to me to finesse it into a finished letter/memo/email. If he does want to dictate something, I'm more likely to type it while he's speaking -- my typing is much faster than my writing.
That said, I imagine if an organization is more "old school" they may want some shorthand ability, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary anymore. It's probably more of a useful tool for your own purposes.
I'd be interested to hear others' thoughts on this issue...
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
gri03550
Newbie
Posts: 38
|
|
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2007, 11:32:24 pm » |
|
I would have to agree with didface,
I regularly take notes and minute meetings but I have never been required to use shorthand. Although I did learn shorthand several years ago, I have since forgotten most of it due to never having used it.
Some of my 'older' colleagues choose to write using shorthand but this a preference not a necessity. Working for an FE college it is clear that the need for shorthand/speedwriting training has declined considerably.
As with didface, I can type faster than I can write and I would say this is true of most admins.
As for 'old school' organisations, there are probably some out there, but in my short experience I have never seen a job description/person specification asking for this skill.
Matt Griffin AffIQPS, LIAV
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
queenbean
|
|
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2007, 09:15:21 am » |
|
Shorthand may not be a requirement for the average secretarial job, but there's no doubting that it's an extremely useful skill. Some top flight jobs still ask for it, and it does command a premium. I am an Executive Assistant working for a very modern MD in a modern company - I use a laptop during meetings for note taking, but when I'm in his office it's handy to be able to draw on the shorthand skills. He doesn't dictate letters, but when he's firing comments at me it helps me keep up. I can just see me turning round to a busy MD and saying 'can you slow down because I can't write fast enough'!
I think it's worthwhile brushing up on the skill simply because it will set you apart from the vast majority of jobseekers who don't have it. It's all about proving that you've got something the competition doesn't.
QB
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
laurafmcdermott
|
|
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2007, 01:19:49 pm » |
|
"I think it's worthwhile brushing up on the skill simply because it will set you apart from the vast majority of jobseekers who don't have it. It's all about proving that you've got something the competition doesn't. "
I agree with queenbean's comment. It may be the one thing that shines through and makes your cv stand out among the rest. I learned speedwriting years ago, but never used it and so have lost the skill. I've evolved my own abbreviations when taking quick notes for following up on my boss' requests, but it may have been quicker if I had retained my speedwriting.
Bottom line is, the more skills you have, the better.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
