Job Application & Shorthand requirement

[Chasingcars]

I have been looking for a new job and have found this evening, what appears to be the perfect job. Running through the job description, I am happy I can perform 95% of the duties listed but one requirement was shorthand - which I have never done.
Firstly, the job is a PA/ support role/ office manager role so I expect there would be some requirement though not sure how much. So my questions are:
- Would it be best to not apply at all based on this one shortfall?
- Apply,but be honest and say i dont have the shorthand requirement but happy to take a course? ( or book myself on a course now so should i get an interview I can show i have been pro-active and have got/ or in process of getting the qualification)
- For those of you that do shorthand, does it take long to learn?
- Is speedwriting a better alternative?
- What is the best recognised qualification I could work towards?
Any advise welcome or any of my questions raised! thanks

[boxtops]

chasingcars, I would apply.

The job description is for the ideal person, the job specification will show whether the shorthand is desirable or essential - and if you can get by with quick longhand, then you can demonstrate that. The other applicants may not have all the other skills listed - but don't pass up the opportunity just because you haven't.

If I were you I would say in my covering letter "I realise that I do not use shorthand but if I were successful in being offered this job I would certainly be willing to learn this skill as quickly as possible" - or something along those lines.

Shorthand really isn't used so much these days, so find out how vital it is first before you commit to a course. Pitmans offer some very good courses, have a look at their website, there may be a Pitman centre local to you.

Go for it, don't hold back, a good job is hard to find these days!

[China Doll]

I'm a PA and I don't know short hand. I think the idea is generally that you can keep up with taking minutes in meetings and make quick notes where necessary. As long as you have a way of doing that and can demonstrate then this is fine... I think a lot of people would have problems reading my drafted notes from minutes but I can and it's all that matters!

[tamborine]

Shorthand is still used in legal & court settings but with pocket recorders, I would think shorthand redundant today; it certainly isn't as accurate as your recorder on a mobile phone. Apply for the job as a stenographer would be a rarity today.

[TonyV]

As box says - shorthand hardly ever used - mostly Dictaphones these days. I would apply if that is the only requirement you don't have.
In some cases people don't think dictaphones are ideal - if you are taking meeting minutes ect - where people don't want the whole discussion taping - but they do have an on / button.
Not sure whether I would mention about your willingness to take course in your covering letter, as can show the negative that you don't have shorthand, but does show you being proactive. Or wait till hopefully you get an interview.

[boxtops]

You'll only get asked about it if you do get an interview, so IMO I think it's worth mentioning it in the letter - it shows you've read the person spec and the job description.

[boxtops]

^and PS, people taking minutes in some of the meetings I go to these days, just type notes straight onto a laptop - saves transcribing later once you've tarted them up!

[woofgang]

It may be that they have just used an old job spec and haven't given the matter any thought at all. I would do what you suggested and say don't know it but would be happy to learn if needed....you'd be AMAZED at how many folk don't read the job spec before applying so IMO the fact that you noticed is points in your favour.

[TonyV]

That's true box - you've just reminded me of one particular secretary that could take shorthand - but could type as quickly as I could compose what I wanted to say.

[Eve]

I've done secretarial roles and been around a lot of secretaries and know hardly any who use shorthand save those of the older generation who I think went on a secretarial course before going into it as a career.

As long as you could take sufficient notes in a meeting (or whatever situation they need) then I can't see a problem. Just because you can't do official shorthand doesn't mean you wouldn't be able to achieve the end result unless there is some other reason such as notes being typed by someone else/outsourced who needs to be able to read them. So, I'd guess there you'd just need to make sure you could do readable notes.

Some secretarial recruitment agencies offer Pitman (and similar) courses if you do need to do a course.

[Eve]

In fact, the typing point is a great one, I can type significantly faster than I could write.

[tamborine]

quick course on Youtube, if my link works.

[tamborine]

^^ sorry my embed didn't work...you'll have to check it out on Youtube