Hi Everyone and thanks for all the helpful responses.  I decided to go with the course that is near my home and done without a tutor, I just couldn't face the travelling.  

I've had 2 sessions so far and I'm really enjoying it, and because it is on tape plus workbook, I can work at my own pace and rewind and re-do exercises if I feel the need.  

I think the very fact that I'm in a classroom situation, and that work are paying for it, will give me the motivation to carry on learning it this time.  I've always failed miserably when I've tried to learn myself.

Thanks again for all the help.

Smitkit

Hi Everyone

Work have agreed to pay for me to do a course to learn shorthand, and I've found two courses locally to me, and wondered if those with experience of learning shorthand already might be able to comment on the two styles of course.

The first is a classroom situation, with tutor stood at the front going through the theory etc, practice time, listening to tapes etc.  Problem with this course is an hour's trip both ways to the college, straight from work with no time for a break.  34 weeks, 1 night a week.

The second is at the training premises, but there is no tutor.  They provide you with the course books, set you tasks for the sessions, and the rest is listening to tapes which takes you through the learning process - and practice.  Someone is always on hand if you have any queries, but there is no "tutor" as such.  This course is about 5 minutes from my flat.  Two nights a week, about 15 weeks.

My head tells me the first one would be better - but my body is protesting at the thought of not getting back until 10pm (that's my bedtime!).

Has anyone experience of either of these styles of learning shorthand?  Any comments would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Smitkit

A good one is to get everyone to stand up and say 3 things about themselves, one of which is a lie.  Then everyone has to guess which one the lie is.  It's funny because everyone always says the most outrageous thing they do thinking that everyone will think that is the lie.

Smitkit

I agree with Ellen.

I always say that it is the boss's preference that he screens calls as he gets so many sales calls, and will call them back if he's interested.  Take the message and make a note of the name and company, and then when they call back, you can  say that you know they have called before and if they haven't been contacted then we're not interested.

There's not much they can say if you have made it clear that it is the boss's preference.

Smitkit

I don't think I have the details any more.  Roren, do you still have the message I sent you?

Kez

I had a similar problem a few years ago, at the tender age of 18.  Fortunately, my boss realised the benefits of having a PA who everyone respected, so he actively promoted me to other members of staff and clients.

He did things like invite me to meetings with high profile people - not to take minutes, but to participate.  He would ask other people to make the drinks when I was involved with clients, and if someone went to him with a question that I could have answered, he'd just send them back in my direction.

After about 2 months everyone got the idea, with the exception of one guy who just wasn't going to see me as anything other than a "young" girl.  I simply put up with his quirky ways as I was getting the respect I needed from everyone else.

So, if you have a good relationship with your boss, is it something you can speak to him / her about?

Smitkit

Hi Jean

I visited a place called the Yeaveley Estate in Derbyshire with my IQPS branch, and they do all sorts of Team Building Events such as Clay Pigeon Shooting, Archery, Go Karting but they'll basically get anything you want to do.  They have a hunting lodge where you'd have to do the Myers Briggs stuff.  It's a nice relaxed room with sofas etc.  They do all the catering etc as well.  We had a go at some of the activities and were given lunch as well and it was all superb.

Only downside is that it isn't a hotel so you'd have to arrange a minibus or similar from the hotel to the venue.  Their web-site is www.yeaveley-estate.co.uk and the contact there is a lady called Lesley Field (She was a PA for 20 years so she knows the right questions to ask!).

Good luck!

Smitkit

Just to update, the candidate pulled out of the interview at the last minute so I didn't get to find out what it was!

Smitkit

Well, it all seems a bit ambiguous doesn’t it!  I’ve decided to go with ‘learned’ as I think it sounds more ‘grown up’ than ‘learnt’.  Interesting debate though.

Smitkit

Hi Everyone

Not sure if I'm having a bad day, but I can't figure out which one is right, in the context of "What have we learnt / learned to date".  My gut instinct says that it should be learned, as learnt sounds a little clumsy, but is there any hard and fast rule to it?

Smitkit

Thanks guys, I'll ask the question in the interview and let you know what she says!

Smitkit

Hi Everyone

I've just been passed a CV for a PA role I'm interviewing for, that under Education and Qualifications says:

"Train the Trainer (Microsoft Office User Specialist)"

Does anyone know what this is?  Is it part of MOUS?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Kez

I agree with everyone else that you should nip it in the bud, but it might be worth speaking to your manager or maybe HR to let them know you've had this problem and this is how you are going to deal with it.  If she's takes offence, at least you will have talked through the problem with someone first and got their approval of the way you deal with it.

Smitkit

As some of you may know, I left my job of 5 years last November with the plan to temp for a couple of years so I could gain experience in a wider range of companies (I’m 26 and have spent 3 years at one company and 5 at another).  This came about as I didn’t know where I wanted to take my career (be it secretarial, or whatever) and I figures that temping would enable me to gain experience of what I like and don’t like in both a company, industry and role.

I’ve just completed a 3-month assignment at one company and started a 4 week one at another this week.  The last company gave me plenty to do and were obviously not afraid that as a “temp” it would take longer to explain to me that it would to do it themselves.

At this new company however I’m scratching around for work (asking the people that sit near me etc as well as mentioning it 2-3 times a day to the manager responsible for me).  At the end of the week I’ll be going to another department so hopefully it will pick up then.

My question really, is how can I get them to hand over the work(!) and if you had a temp, what would make you feel comfortable that they can do the job?  In the meantime, how can I fill in the downtime (a bit like the other thread this week, except I can’t have any long term projects).  I’ve checked the applications available to me and I know them all but could brush up my skills.  I know the company intranet site back to front now so can’t learn more there.  Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks

Smitkit

Hi

I'd try and tackle this in a different way.  Why not ask HR, or whoever offers jobs within the company, to send out your form with the offer letter or contract, or hand it to them if they're offered the job at interview (maybe if it's an internal move) and ask the employee to return the form on their first day (or before if you think they'd manage that).  You could even ask the HR rep to include a paragraph in the offer letter saying they have to complete and bring in.

The request will then be seen as part of the recruitment process (where employee's are generally accommodating seeing as how you've just given them a job!) instead of a chore they have to deal with once within the company.

As for requests made after they have joined the company, such as changes to the account, I'm never found a way around that one!

Smitkit