Neena Raj Sep 29, 2025

How to Become a Professional Secretary in Dubai

To become a Professional Secretary in Dubai, start by understanding the role and responsibilities that come with the position. Next is to enroll in a secretary or an office administration course in Dubai. This can help you build strong skills and also earn a recognized certification to enhance your credibility. Focus on developing essential office management and communication skills that employers value.

Once you have gained the skills and certification, the next important step is to create a professional portfolio. Your portfolio should highlight your qualifications and experience. Finally, apply for secretary positions in Dubai. Keep in mind to stay updated with industry trends and continue upskilling to stay relevant.

UAE Vision 2031 has put forth a strategic business expansion plan for the thriving Dubai economy, along with a complete digital transformation of administrative roles. This has resulted in an ever-increasing demand for skilled, certified secretaries across diverse sectors in the UAE. So, if you are planning to become a Secretary in Dubai, here is a step-by-step guide to becoming a Professional Secretary in Dubai.

7 Steps to Become a Professional Secretary in Dubai

Becoming a professional secretary in Dubai requires a careful blending of formal training, technical proficiency, and strong communication skills. To build a rewarding administrative career in Dubai’s competitive job market, a professional secretary must manage executive schedules. They must handle confidential information and ensure smooth office operations. Here are a few steps that you can follow to become a certified professional secretary in Dubai.

1: Understand the Role and Responsibilities of a Professional Secretary

2: Choose a Secretary or Office Administration Course in Dubai

3: Get Certified with a Recognized Secretary Certification

4: Develop Key Office & Communication Skills

5: Create a Professional Resume

6: Apply For Dubai Secretary Jobs

7: Stay Updated & Upskill for Executive Admin Roles in Dubai

Now, let’s examine each step needed to become a sought-after Secretary in Dubai

1: Understand the Role and Responsibilities of a Professional Secretary

The professional secretary in the UAE ensures smooth administration and executive operations. They act as the key point of contact between management, staff, and external stakeholders. Some of the roles and responsibilities of a Company Secretary include

Managing schedules, coordinating meetings, preparing agendas, and maintaining records.
Drafting letters, emails, and official documents while handling incoming and outgoing correspondence professionally.
Overseeing day-to-day office operations, maintaining supplies, and liaising with vendors or service providers.
Organising and securing important documents, contracts, and company files for easy retrieval.
Supporting senior executives with travel arrangements, presentations, and confidential business matters.
Operating office software, CRM systems, and virtual collaboration tools to improve efficiency.

2: Choose a Secretary or Office Administration Course in Dubai

Selecting the right secretary course is important, as it determines your career success in corporate offices, government departments, or multinational companies in Dubai. Having a professional secretary certificate can enhance the resumes of administrative professionals aiming for a higher position. The major valuable secretary certifications in Dubai include:

Secretarial Skills Training: The Secretarial Skills Training in Dubai covers time management, effective communication, and strong organizational skills. Real-world exercises and case studies ensure that you are job-ready. This program is ideal for secretaries, PAs, and administrative assistants aiming for career growth.
Executive Secretary Training Course: The Executive Secretary Training Course in Dubai helps you learn advanced scheduling, minute-taking, and correspondence management. The course sharpens decision-making and problem-solving abilities. Trainers with real-world experience guide you through practical exercises.
Office Management Training Course: The Office Management Training Course in Dubai helps you build strong office administration and coordination skills. You will learn how to manage teams, oversee tasks, and keep the office running smoothly.
Professional Secretarial & Administration Skills: The Professional Secretarial & Administration Skills course in Dubai equips you to manage calendars, arrange meetings, and handle communication efficiently.
Organising and Behavioural Skills for Administrative Professionals / Executive Secretaries / PAs: This training in Dubai develops organizing and behavioral skills for secretaries, PAs, and administrative professionals.
Certified Office Management Professional: The Certified Office Management Professional program in Dubai is perfect for aspiring office leaders. You will learn to organize office processes, supervise staff, and manage resources.
CAP Certification: CAP (Certified Administrative Professional) is a globally recognized certification with specialty credentials in Technology Applications and Organizational Management.

Tips to choose the right secretary course in Dubai

Earning secretary certifications typically presents greater employment opportunities due to enhanced skills in a diverse range of fields, such as office management and communication. Here are factors to consider while choosing the right secretary course in Dubai:

Accreditation: Choose a KHDA-recognized secretary course to ensure credibility.
Curriculum Relevance: Choose the training that covers modern office software, business writing, time management, and communication skills.
Mode of Study: From classroom learning, online study, or a blended approach, choose the secretary certification that suits you best.
Practical Training: Select secretary courses that include real-world simulations or internships to gain an advantage.
Career Support: The best secretary certification institutes in Dubai, like Edoxi Training Institute, provide career guidance and exam preparation, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

3: Get Certified with a Recognized Secretary Certification

Now that you have chosen the certification that suits you the best, the next important step is to get certified. The following are some steps you can follow to get a professional secretary certificate in Dubai;

Get your professional secretary training in a KHDA-accredited executive secretary course that includes office management, professionalism, technology, and leadership.
Obtain practical and theoretical training for the executive secretary/admin assistant positions to increase chances for employment
Complete the training, as some certifications include exams to assess your skills. Prepare thoroughly to succeed in the professional secretary certification.
Gain Certification in the Secretarial Skills course, focusing on communication, time management, and administration.

Most top-rated institutes for professional secretary training in Dubai offer comprehensive certification for fresh graduates and seasoned professionals. Some secretary courses are from 12 hours to a week long (priced from AED 750 to 14,499). Choose the secretary certification course depending on your experience, budget, and career advancement preferences.

4: Develop Key Office & Communication Skills

To achieve competency as a secretary in Dubai, candidates must acquire Technical skills and Soft skills. Take a look at the list of skills you need to acquire.

Technical skills required to become a Secretary

MS Office Suite: Knowledge in MS Office is essential for daily secretarial and executive support tasks like creating documents, reports, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Email Platforms: For a smooth workflow, prompt, professional correspondence, calendar scheduling, and inbox organization, master tools like MS Outlook or Gmail.
Virtual Collaboration Tools: Learn platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Slack to enable seamless communication, meetings, and file sharing with colleagues across locations.
Document Organisation: For accessible, secure, and properly archived information, achieving good skills in managing, filing, and retrieving both digital and physical documents is necessary

Soft skills required to become a Secretary

Professional Communication: Clear, concise, and polite verbal and written communication skills build trust with executives, clients, and team members.
Discretion: Handling sensitive company information with confidentiality is vital to protect corporate integrity and strengthen professional credibility.
Multitasking: Managing multiple assignments, calls, and schedules without compromising quality is essential for a fast-paced corporate environment.
Problem-Solving: Quickly identifying challenges and providing practical solutions helps maintain operational flow and decision-making efficiency.
Time Management: Prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and using time effectively help ensure smooth daily operations and reduced workplace stress.

5: Create a Professional Resume

A well-prepared professional resume helps make a good, positive first impression on the employer. For secretary jobs in Dubai, your CV should showcase your administrative expertise, software skills, and achievements in supporting executives or managing office operations.

Tips to Remember When Creating a Professional Resume for Secretary Jobs in Dubai

Tailor to the Job: Align your resume with the specific secretary role by using keywords from the job description.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Include technical skills like MS Office, CRM tools, and cloud collaboration software.
Showcase Certifications: Mention credentials such as CPSS, Executive Secretary Certification, or Office Administration Diplomas.
Focus on Achievements: Use bullet points to highlight measurable results, such as improving office efficiency or managing high-volume scheduling.
Keep It Concise: Limit your resume to 1–2 pages with clear headings and an easy-to-read layout.
Use a Professional Format: Choose a clean, modern template with consistent fonts and spacing.
Emphasize Experience: Make sure to include your experience for the demanding positions, such as legal firms, healthcare, tourism, startups, or the government.

6: Apply For Dubai Secretary Jobs

A proactive, well-prepared, and connected secretary job candidate may follow a strategic approach to stand out in the competitive Dubai job market. The following steps outline how to apply for a secretary job in Dubai

Use reputable job portals to find the latest openings, including Indeed, Bayt, Dubizzle, and Naukrigulf.
Create a profile on these platforms, upload your updated résumé, and enable job alerts for secretary or office administration roles.
network through professional groups, LinkedIn, and Dubai-based HR associations to access unadvertised opportunities.
Once you apply, follow up with the employer to express continued interest.

7: Stay Updated & Upskill for Executive Admin Roles in Dubai

Continuous learning helps accelerate your admin career. It strengthens your secretary skills. It prepares you for higher roles like admin coordinator, executive PA, and office manager.

Invest in advanced training such as leadership, project management, or corporate communications.
Enroll in CAP certification programs to enhance your expertise in executive management, corporate communication, and project coordination.
Master essential tools like CRM systems, cloud collaboration platforms, and executive software to work efficiently.
Learning Arabic alongside English strengthens HR networks and valuable connections within Dubai’s professional associations.

Ready for a successful professional secretarial career in Dubai?

A professional secretary in Dubai must master a diverse skill set. You should obtain recognized certifications. You must adapt to the changing business environment of the UAE. UAE Vision 2031 and digital transformation demand highly skilled and certified secretaries across corporate, government, and multinational sectors.

According to the leading job portal Indeed, the salary for secretary jobs in Dubai ranges from AED 6000 to 12000 per month, depending on their experience and role level. The secretary jobs in Dubai may vary from entry-level to executive secretarial positions, with varied compensation offered.

Certifications such as CPSS, Executive Secretary Certification, and Office Administration Diplomas from KHDA-accredited institutes like Edoxi Institute signal professionalism, competency, and commitment to career growth. For a fresh graduate, receptionist, or experienced admin professional aiming to specialize, the right secretary training in Dubai opens doors to high-paying jobs.

To build a rewarding career in the UAE, align your skills with market demands and gain professional secretary certifications. Equip yourself with the right knowledge, and stay adaptable and confident.

FAQ

1. What is the expected salary of a secretary in Dubai?

Depending on the level and the skills, salaries can range from AED 6,000 to 12,000 per month. The average entry-level base salary reported on Indeed, however, is around AED 3,508 per month.

2. How to get a secretary certification?

To get a secretary certification, join courses like CPSS (Certified Professional Secretary Specialist), Executive Secretary Certification, and Office Administration Diplomas from reputed institutes like Edoxi, which cater to both seasoned professionals and novices.

3. Is the IAAP CAP certification a good investment?

Yes, CAP has strong global credibility, career advancement opportunities, and upward progression in the industry.

4. Are multilingual skills essential for secretarial roles in Dubai?

While not mandatory, being bilingual, especially in English and Arabic, greatly improves communication with stakeholders and enhances job prospects.

5. What can I expect as a career progression after certification?

You may be able to move up in your career to greater positions such as Executive Assistant, Admin Manager, or Office Coordinator, and later to higher-level leadership or managerial positions in administrative support after gaining experience and skill.

If you are looking to move further in your administrative career, you can consider Edoxi’s Secretarial Training Course in Dubai, refine your skills, and be certified as a professional secretary in Dubai.

Do You Aspire to Work in Professional Secretary?

Join Edoxi Secretarial Training to learn the best practices!

Neena Raj

Neena Raj is an expert trainer with 24 years of experience in enhancing organizational performance through HR, soft skills, and productivity training. Her areas of expertise include organizational behavior and team dynamics, cross-cultural communication, performance management systems, and life coaching and development.

Neena has an MBA in Sales and Marketing from Loyola College, a Diploma in Psychological Counselling, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology. She is also a Certified NLP Trainer and holds several other certifications, including Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP), Certified Human Resource Manager (CHRM) and Total Quality Management Certification.

Her specialisations include public speaking, emotional intelligence training, Time Management, Leadership Skills and UAE labour law. Neena has delivered public speaking training for many of Dubai’s leading companies and government entities, including the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Emirates Airlines, DP World and Dubai International Hotel.

How to Become a Professional Secretary in Dubai

7 Steps to Become a Professional Secretary in Dubai

1: Understand the Role and Responsibilities of a Professional Secretary

2: Choose a Secretary or Office Administration Course in Dubai

3: Get Certified with a Recognized Secretary Certification

4: Develop Key Office & Communication Skills

5: Create a Professional Resume

6: Apply For Dubai Secretary Jobs

7: Stay Updated & Upskill for Executive Admin Roles in Dubai

Ready for a successful professional secretarial career in Dubai?

FAQ

Do You Aspire to Work in Professional Secretary?

Join Edoxi Secretarial Training to learn the best practices!

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