Message #62549

[queenbean]

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