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All Job CategoriesBilingual secretary
Bilingual secretary
Bilingual executive assistant
Bilingual secretaries provide administrative services in English and one or more foreign languages.
Average salary (a year)
£22000
Starter
£40000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 39.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings
flexibly
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You can get into this job through:a university course; a college course; an apprenticeship; applying directly
University
It could help you if you have a degree in modern languages or languages combined with business studies, although this is not essential.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College
Completing a recognised qualification in administration or office skills may help you to get a job. Colleges offer a wide range of full-time and part-time courses.
Relevant subjects include
business administration, computer skills, digital skills, shorthand, word processing, T Level in Management and Administration
business administration, computer skills, digital skills, shorthand, word processing, T Level in Management and Administration
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
You can get into this job through a business administrator advanced apprenticeship and combine it with your language skills to find work.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Direct Application
You can apply to companies directly if you have some of the relevant skills and knowledge required for this role.
You'll need at least one A level or equivalent in your second language unless it's your native tongue, or you became fluent by living abroad.
Employers may also expect you to have GCSEs or relevant office skills and experience.
More Information
Career Tips
Most businesses look for bilingual secretaries who can speak a European language like French, German, Spanish or Italian.
Other languages like Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Arabic are also growing in demand.
You can develop your IT and administration skills by doing a free online course through The Skills Toolkit.
Professional And Industry Bodies
You could join the Chartered Institute of Linguists for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Further Information
You can get more advice about working and training in languages through the Chartered Institute of Linguists.
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
Administration skills
To be thorough and pay attention to detail
The ability to work well with others
Active listening skills
To be flexible and open to change
Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Knowledge of english language
Excellent verbal communication skills
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Day to day tasks
In your day to day duties, you could
translate documents and letters, write letters, emails and reports in a foreign language, translate or summarise articles from foreign journals, speak in a foreign language on the phone or in person, interpret at meetings
translate documents and letters, write letters, emails and reports in a foreign language, translate or summarise articles from foreign journals, speak in a foreign language on the phone or in person, interpret at meetings
For general administrative duties, you could
act as a personal assistant (PA) to a manager, organise meetings, make appointments and keep a diary, arrange travel and accommodation for business trips, do filing, typing and photocopying, update computer databases
act as a personal assistant (PA) to a manager, organise meetings, make appointments and keep a diary, arrange travel and accommodation for business trips, do filing, typing and photocopying, update computer databases
Working environment
You could work in an office.
With experience, you could be promoted to personal assistant or office manager.
You could move into translating or interpreting, or international business, sales or marketing.
You could move into a specialised bilingual role like bilingual legal secretary or bilingual medical secretary.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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