Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

It sounds a bit cliché. But it is a good solid question to ask yourself when it comes to planning your secretarial career.

The ideal CV for an employer.

For secretarial admin jobs and most other sectors when you look at a CV there should be a clear progression over the years.

There are very few careers that stay the same all the way through.

So what is your secretarial career progression strategy?

• Typically admin secretarial job titles will ascend in terms of importance, it is rare that some-one would choose to take a backwards step.
• So what is your current target job titles?
• What would you like to be called in 5 or 10 years time?
• How are you going to achieve that?
• Will you need secretarial training?
• What would your ideal target company be?
• What is the perfect way to find out answers to these questions.

Do some research.

Plan and formulate your career steps around your longer term plan, make it happen by taking little steps. If things aren't taking shape as quickly as you would like change one of the variables, speak to your manager about what it would take for you to get promoted.

Spend time with the people you want to become.
Pick up on what qualifications and experience they have.
Do research use the internet, use career advise services and linked in business network to see what sort of profile your target role would typically have. This would include their experience, qualifications, who they work for etc.

Solid CV

It can be really tempting, but job hopping is strictly frowned upon, it breeds mistrust and will get you declined from the most exclusive admin secretarial job shortlists. The odd occasional short stint here or there can be justified, but too many short stints will decline you from your target opportunities. Bear this in mind when you consider changing roles in quick quickly. 2 years is the minimum an employer looks for as a guide.

Beware the glass ceiling.

If you are a person who thrives on career progression, beware taking a role in a very small company where there is no potential for promotion. Only do this if it is a stepping stone to another secretarial career strategy. Take time to research all your options ahead in 2-3 years time when you are looking for a change and what your exit strategy will be.

Plan with your future family circumstances in mind.

Priorities change radically along the journey of life. Many times some-one will take a secretarial job when they are single or have a partner and then when children come along, the role is highly unsuitable. Bear this in mind when you select a new admin secretarial job. If you are planning a family, think seriously about taking a new admin job with a high amount of travel. Putting work before family is enough to break many families up.