How to find a secretary: records, calendar, receiving guests
A secretary today is more than a telephone
A classic secretary takes calls, receives visitors, keeps records, logs incoming and outgoing documents, and prepares orders and letters. Sometimes the boss's calendar, ticket booking and organising meetings are added. Large companies use a document management system, small ones use plain spreadsheets and email. So say exactly what the person will work with.
Think about languages separately. If the company deals with foreign partners, state the language and level, for example fluent English. Then only those who really fit will reply.
What affects pay
- The volume of records and the difficulty of the documents.
- Languages and the level of knowledge.
- Software: MS Office, a document management system, QuickBooks.
- Hours and place of work.
- Experience in a similar job.
What to put in the job post
- Duties — records, the boss's calendar.
- Salary — monthly amount.
- Place of work — city and area.
- Hours — five days a week, 9:30 to 18:30.
- Languages — fluent English.
- Terms — official employment.
- Experience — from 1 year.
- Software — MS Office, document system.
Example: “I am looking for a secretary for a company office in Manila. Duties: record keeping, managing the boss's calendar, receiving visitors, organising meetings. Fluent English, MS Office and an electronic document system. Five days a week, 9:30 to 18:30, official employment, experience from 1 year. Salary ₱19,000 a month.”
How to find a secretary through BlaBlaPrice
Write one request in plain language. After the check (no ads or outside contacts), candidates in this category in your region will see it. They reply in the chat: experience, languages, when they can start, expected pay. The platform shows the best reply by content first, and reviews are visible next to it. Your phone is hidden, and only the chosen candidate gets your contacts.
In the interview, pay attention to written English, neat appearance and manner of speaking. Ask the candidate to write a short business letter or draft a sample document. Ask about handling confidential information and how they prioritise when there are several tasks at once. Agree on a probation period. If you use an electronic document system, show it to the candidate in the interview and see whether they find their way quickly. For a boss with frequent meetings, it matters that the secretary can keep the schedule and remind of changes on time.
For those looking for a job
If you are looking for a job as a secretary, register on BlaBlaPrice as a service provider, choose this category and your region, and receive employers' requests to reply to.
Related jobs: office manager and executive assistant. Read more on the “How it works” page.
