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The casino industry, like many other industries, requires secretaries
These people help casino and hotel departments and offices run smoothly. Secretaries handle a wide array of clerical duties. They type a variety of correspondence, envelopes, and reports. Specific typing responsibilities depend on the department in which the person is working. Typing is done on a word processor or computer. Individuals might additionally be required to use various computer software programs necessary to the department.
A Secretary might be required to take and transcribe dictation, as well as to take shorthand. The Secretary must photocopy documents, file, maintain files, collate reports, sort mail, answer phones, and send faxes. Secretaries working in various gaming departments may handle additional duties. For example, the Secretary working in the slot office may assist in coordinating small slot tournaments. A great many duties of Secretaries working in the casino area depend on the specific department in which the individual works. Other duties of the Secretary working in a casino or casino hotel may include:
- Answering letters and other correspondence
- Returning phone calls
- Making appointments for meetings
- Screening calls and visitors
Salaries that Secretaries receive in Casinos
Secretaries working in casinos and casino hotels earn between USD 7.00 and USD 12.00 per hour or more or about USD 15,000 to USD 25,000 annually. Factors affecting earnings include the geographic location, size, and prestige of the specific facility, as well as the experience, education, and responsibilities of the individual.
Employment Prospects for casino Secretaries
Employment prospects for casino and casino hotel Secretaries are excellent. Individuals may be employed in any department of the hotel or casino, including human resources, marketing, public relations, or administration. Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City, Biloxi, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Detroit offer the greatest number of opportunities. Other regions hosting Indian gaming and land-based or riverboat gaming facilities offer additional opportunities.
Advancement Prospects
One of the advantages about working as a Secretary in a casino or casino hotel is that promotion is usually done from within. Secretaries who want to remain in administrative work may move up to executive secretaries or administrative assistants. Those who want to move out of secretarial work may obtain training and locate jobs in other departments in either the administrative area, the casino, or hotel.
Education and Training
Casinos and casino hotels usually require that Secretaries and executive secretaries have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Secretarial courses as well as those in computers and various software packages are helpful.
Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits
Experience working in an office is preferred. Secretaries should accurately type between 55 and 65 words per minute. Word processing and computer skills are usually necessary. The ability to take dictation is often required or preferred. Individuals should have interpersonal skills with a pleasant telephone manner. Good judgment is also needed.
Casino Secretary Unions and Associations
Those interested in learning more about careers as Secretaries should contact the human resources departments of casinos and casino hotels. Individuals may also write to the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) for additional information.
Tips for a Casino Secretary
1. Jobs may be advertised in the classified sections of newspapers in areas hosting gaming. Look under classifications such as “Casino/Gaming,” “Secretary,” or “Casino Opportunities-Secretarial.”
2. This is a good job to get your foot in the door of a casino or casino hotel. Learn what you can and work hard. You will have a good chance of moving up the career ladder.
3. Stop by the human resources departments of casinos and inquire about job openings. Send or fax a résumé and a short cover letter.
4. Most casinos also have job hotlines that tell about current job openings. You can call each casino directly to get its job hotline phone number.