Secretaries (general) use typewriters, personal computers or other word processing equipment to transcribe correspondence and other documents, check and format documents prepared by other staff, deal with incoming and outgoing mail, screen requests for meetings or appointments, and perform a variety of administrative support tasks.

Tasks performed usually include: checking, formatting and transcribing correspondence, minutes and reports from dictation, electronic documents or written drafts to conform to office standards, using typewriters, personal computers or other word processing equipment; using various computer software packages, including spreadsheets, to provide administrative support; dealing with incoming or outgoing mail; scanning, recording and distributing mail, correspondence and other documents; screening requests for meetings or appointments and helping to organize meetings; screening and recording staff members’ leave and other entitlements; organizing and supervising filing systems; dealing with routine correspondence on their own initiative.