Job Discription/Upgradation of Stenographer/Steno typist – How to Become a Stenographer and Get Govt. Job in Pakistan.

Stenotypist/Stenographer is the considered to be a post where candidates have to face much less competition to get a job in government sector inPakistan. The post of stenotypist or stenographer is also a post where almost all the posts are filled on merits. This is due to the nature of work of the stenotypists/stenographers. Stenotypists/ stenographers have to work with senior officers. They take dictation from the Officers and only person competent to take dictation could fulfill the requirements. An incompetent candidate may fail and an incompetence stenographer may adversely affect the performance of the officers. Hence, keeping in view this situation, bureaucrats always try their best to fill in the posts of stenographers without getting any political pressure.

Qualification of a Stenotypist/stenographer:-

The qualifications of a Stenotypist/Stenographer are as under:-

1. In federal government the basic qualification of the stenotypist is matric. However, Punjab Government requirement of a stenotypists are Intermediate.

2. He could take dictation of 80 words per minute. For a steno grapher dictation speed is 100 word per minute. To get the proficiency in shorthand, prospective candidates have to attend the courses of short hand trainings where they learn Pitman Short Hand. In order to get proficiency in short hand it is incumbent for the candidate to have good proficiency in English.

3. Stenotypist could type with a speed of 40 words per minute. For stenographers word per minute speed is 50.

4. Besides, computer proficiency, especially in word processing programme is also necessary.

Job Opportunities for a Stenotypist/Stenographer inPakistan

As discussed above, there are great opportunities in Government Sector and there is a guarantee of a government job for the competent candidates. However, in private sector scope of such jobs is very limited and very highly qualified candidates could be able to get a job of a private secretary in private sector.

Work Environment:-

Stenotypists/Stenographers are beneficiaries of the introduction of computers in the Government Sector. Earlier, they have had to type their work on typewriters and most of the stenotypists were suffering from shoulder muscle pain. However, introduction of computers has created much ease in their performance of job. A stenotypist (BS-14) has to work with an officer of Grade-17 and 18. A stenographer (BS-16) has to work with an Officer of Grade-19 and 20 while a private secretary is posted with an Officer of Grade-21.

Job Description of Stenographers

1. To take dictation from his officer.

2. Get the print of the dictation.

3. To attend the telephone.

4. To manage private/important correspondence of the Officer.

5. Any other assignment that is given by the Officer.

Salary of a Stenotypist/ Stenographers:-

Earlier, the stenotypists were enjoying the Basic Scale of 12. However, now the scale of Stenotypists has just been upgraded. Now their scale is 14. This means that in the beginning salary of the stenotypists in the government department will be around Rs.15,000/- (inclusive of all perks).

Promotion Opportunities:-

Promotion opportunities for a stenotypist in a government sector are not very encouraging. They enter in the job in BS-14 and most of them get retired in BS-16. Stenotypist after completing five years service and subject to availability of vacancy for promotion, is promoted to BS-16. In some Punjab Government Departments Stenographers are promoted as Admn. Officers or Staff Officers but such instances are very rare. Generally, a stenographer is promoted to the post of Private Secretaries. A private secretary has to work with an Officer of Grade 21.

Upgradation of the Post of Stenographer:-

The Prime Minister of Pakistan has recently approved the upgradation summery of stenotypists, stenographers and private secretaries. According to new scales, stenotypists would get Basic Scale-14, Stenographers-16 and Private Secretaries would continue to enjoy Basic Scale-17.