Job Responsibilities
Typing correspondence(90%), answering telephones (50%), reception
(20%), entering time slips (10%)
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Job Requirements
A basic knowledge of typing and computers is the only real
requirement for this job. You also need good interpersonal
skills to deal with other attorneys, clients and vendors.
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Uppers
The best part about my job is that it is a small office and we can wear whatever
we like as long as it is within reason, i.e., no torn jeans, etc.
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Downers
The worst part about my job is having been a secretary for over
20 years and still being made to answer the telephone and provide
relief reception coverage. It is very hard to work on typing a
document accurately while having to deal with people coming in
the office and a ringing telephone. This is very stressful. I
believe that if you take a job as a secretary, you shouldn't be
told once you've been hired that you have to provide reception
coverage as well.
The second worst part about my job are the hours. I work from
9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday is
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This extra half an hour is a waste.
In addition, you can't get the supplies you need to do your job
because the company is always trying to save money. We have to
buy our own glare screens for our computers, we had to buy our
own scanner for this office, and I still don't have a calendar
for 2005.
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Lifestyle
The hours leave a lot to be desired because we have to work a 35 hour week and
it's not necessary. We don't perform any vital services where we should be
required to have the firm open for that many hours. This is a defense law
firm...it's not criminal defense, it's not family law, and we have very, very few
true emergency calls. And no one ever comes to the office, except on rare
occasions for depositions.
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Compensation
There are no benefits to speak of. We are allowed three weeks
for vacation, sick time, personal time, etc. and no more. The
base salaray is something I cannot speak about since I don't know
anyone else's salary except mine.
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Advice to Jobseekers
My advice would be unless you don't mind working long hours,
being constantly interrupted, and are not good with dealing with
difficult people, this is not the job for you. You have to have
a lot of patience, tact, and thick skin to perform this job well.
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