Last February, Quebec’s public service organized the first recruitment convention for secretaries, to combat the scarcity and constant needs for this position. Focus on secretarial careers in the public service.
The public service is one of the largest employers in the country. And yet it is still mostly unknown. All too often, when graduates are seeking work when they complete their studies, they turn to the private sector. However, the public administration recruits at all levels of training in many sectors of activity. This year, Quebec’s public service wanted to make a breakthrough by organizing its first recruitment convention on the theme of secretarial professions.
“Secretaries are a recurring need within the public service,” explains Julie Martel, employment promotion consultant in the coaching and logistics department. “We have over 2,000 secretaries and we have to replace a lot of retirees, as well as fill new needs.”
The pillars of the public service
The secretary’s job has changed a lot and no longer consists of merely data entry, making appointments or writing meeting minutes. “The people occupying the position of secretary play a key role in the proper functioning of the government machinery,” comments Louise Bolduc, coordinator of the development team in the coaching and logistics department. “They have a more strategic role, they are the managers’ right hands and contribute to achievement of major projects.”
In addition to having solid training in office procedures, today’s secretaries may have to manage social media, participate in strategic decisions and even do marketing or human resources. “The duties are very stimulating,” Julie Martel says. “If people are seeking challenges, the public service can offer them a fulfilling career.”
An evolving career
Culture, transport, agriculture… Quebec’s public service has 80 departments in highly diversified sectors. “An employee can diversify their field of interest and skills throughout their career,” Louise Bolduc explains. “We also have professional development programs that let us progress quickly. It is not uncommon to see persons in the public service who hold technical positions become professional experts a few years later.”
Quick hires
Unlike other applicants to the public service, those for secretarial positions are accepted all year round. After registering online and taking the public service entrance exam, applications are placed in a bank that is available to managers. “Once the candidate is in our bank, it is only a matter of weeks before they are hired,” Julie Martel says. “To fill their open positions, our managers begin the process very quickly.”
In addition to offering good career prospects, the public service comes with a wealth of benefits. It is an employer to be considered in your job search!