Career change as a secretary

Career change paths

• Head of office

  Also: Office manager

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As office manager you run the office of a law firm, practice, agency or small company, coordinate colleagues and service providers, and take care of contracts, equipment and processes.

  What you bring:

  You know every process in an office, from mail and filing to appointment planning and ordering supplies.

  How to get there:

  You usually get there after several years in the secretariat, often in the same company, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in new tasks such as budget, staff planning or managing service providers. The further training course for certified senior specialist for office and project organization (Fachwirt für Büro- und Projektorganisation) or the qualification as office management clerk (Kaufmann für Büromanagement) strengthens your application.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €4,450gross per monthMedian salary

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• Secretary in a law firm

  Also: Paralegal (Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte)

  With on-the-job training

  In a law firm you process written submissions and files, monitor deadlines, run the electronic lawyers' mailbox and look after clients on the phone.

  What you bring:

  You write confidently and precisely, work with deadlines and appointments, and handle documents confidentially.

  How to get there:

  Law firms also give experienced secretarial staff on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), often over a few months, supplemented by courses on deadline monitoring and billing. You earn the recognized qualification through vocational training (Ausbildung) as paralegal (Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte), which takes three years, also as retraining (Umschulung). After four and a half years of work in a law firm, you can also take the exam at the Bar Association (Rechtsanwaltskammer) without training.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,421gross per monthMedian salary

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• Medical secretary

  Also: Ward secretary, Doctor's secretary

  With on-the-job training

  In the secretariat of a clinic or practice you type doctors' letters from dictation, organize admissions and appointments, keep files and are the contact for patients.

  What you bring:

  You write quickly and precisely, organize appointments and handle confidential data discreetly.

  How to get there:

  Clinics hire secretarial staff and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). You can learn medical terms in courses for medical typists or doctor's secretaries (Arztsekretär) lasting a few weeks to a few months, also online. Depending on the job, a qualification as office management clerk (Kaufmann für Büromanagement) or medical assistant (MFA) is desired.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,270gross per monthMedian salary

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• HR clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In the HR department you create personnel files, prepare contracts and certificates, keep track of working hours and vacation, and answer employees' questions.

  What you bring:

  You work carefully with documents, appointments and confidential data and know the processes in an administration.

  How to get there:

  You switch to the HR department with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), often supplemented by courses on labor law and personnel administration lasting a few weeks. Commercial training is usually expected. Later, you can take the further training course for certified HR specialist (Personalfachkaufmann) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), which can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,513gross per monthMedian salary

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• Payroll accountant

  Also: Payroll clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In payroll accounting you prepare the employees' payslips every month, report data to health insurance funds and the tax office, and answer questions about the payslips.

  What you bring:

  You work precisely with figures, deadlines and confidential data and are confident with office programs.

  How to get there:

  Payroll courses at chambers and training providers usually take a few months alongside a job, for example with a Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) certificate. After that you get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the payroll program. Employers and tax firms are looking for payroll staff, and experience with personnel files or time recording is an advantage.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• Clerk in property management

  Also: Real estate clerk (Immobilienkaufmann)

  With on-the-job training

  In property management you look after tenants and owners, hire craft businesses for repairs, prepare meetings and process contracts and statements.

  What you bring:

  You organize appointments, correspondence and documents and are a friendly, reliable contact on the phone.

  How to get there:

  Property management firms also hire office staff and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), usually over a few months. Courses in property management at chambers and associations add to your knowledge. You earn the recognized qualification through vocational training (Ausbildung) or retraining (Umschulung) as real estate clerk (Immobilienkaufmann). If you manage residential property, you must complete 20 hours of further training every three years under § 34c GewO.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,940gross per monthMedian salary

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• Purchasing clerk

  Also: Purchasing assistant

  With on-the-job training

  In purchasing you procure goods and services for the company, negotiate with suppliers, monitor delivery dates and clarify complaints.

  What you bring:

  You order material, collect quotes, compare prices and keep deliveries and invoices in view.

  How to get there:

  You switch internally to purchasing, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) that usually lasts a few weeks to a few months, often including training in the merchandise management system. Later, you can take part-time further training in purchasing at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Event manager

  Also: Conference coordinator

  With on-the-job training

  In the event organization of a company, association or conference hotel you plan events from rooms and technology to catering and participant management, and you look after everything on site.

  What you bring:

  You organize meetings, conferences, trips and company parties and keep many appointments and details in view at the same time.

  How to get there:

  You can switch to the event department of a company or association, or to agencies or conference hotels, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) that lasts a few months. Experience with internal events is the most important reference. You earn the recognized qualification through vocational training (Ausbildung) or retraining (Umschulung) as event management clerk (Veranstaltungskaufmann). Evening and weekend assignments are often part of the job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Lots of contact with people

  €4,165gross per monthMedian salary

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• Staffing coordinator

  Also: Recruitment consultant

  With on-the-job training

  In recruitment or temporary staffing you look for suitable candidates, interview them, look after client companies and plan assignments.

  What you bring:

  You communicate confidently by phone and in writing, organize many appointments at the same time and can read people well.

  How to get there:

  You start at a staffing service provider with a few weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), and in-house further training for staffing coordinators is possible there. Commercial vocational training is usually expected. Sales targets and cold calling can be part of the job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €4,046gross per monthMedian salary

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• Financial accountant

  Also: Bookkeeper

  With further trainingPromotion

  In accounting you post incoming and outgoing invoices, reconcile accounts, monitor payments and help prepare monthly and annual closings.

  What you bring:

  You handle invoices, receipts and figures carefully and like working in a structured way on the computer.

  How to get there:

  Take part-time courses in financial accounting at chambers and training providers. They usually take a few months to one year and often end with an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). After that you get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the accounting software. With commercial vocational training (Ausbildung) and several years of accounting experience, you can later take the further training course for certified balance sheet accountant (Bilanzbuchhalter), which can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• Project manager

  Also: Head of administration

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a project manager or head of administration you are responsible for budgets, deadlines and teams, and you report directly to management.

  What you bring:

  You know the commercial processes, the management and its decisions up close, and you have often coordinated projects already.

  How to get there:

  Alongside your job, you can take the further training course for certified senior specialist for office and project organization (Fachwirt für Büro- und Projektorganisation) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). To be admitted, you need three-year commercial vocational training (Ausbildung) and one year of work experience, other training and two years of work experience, or, without a qualification, five years of relevant work experience. To lead whole administrative areas, certified senior business specialist (Wirtschaftsfachwirt) followed by certified business administrator (Betriebswirt) at the IHK are also a good fit. In large companies such jobs are often filled by university graduates, while in small and medium-sized companies you can more often move up through experience and further training.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,850gross per monthMedian salary

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• HR officer

  Also: Recruiter

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an HR officer you support employees and managers, select applicants, prepare contracts and deal with topics such as further training and working hours.

  What you bring:

  You work discreetly with confidential documents, organize a lot and communicate confidently with managers and employees.

  How to get there:

  You can first switch into HR administration, then take the further training course for certified HR specialist (Personalfachkaufmann) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) alongside your job. It can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Some HR officer jobs require a university degree, but employers also take applicants with further training and experience.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible

  €5,147gross per monthMedian salary

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• Trainer for office management clerks

  Also: Instructor for office organization in adult education

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a trainer you guide apprentices through their vocational training (Ausbildung) at a company or training provider, plan learning stations and prepare them for the exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).

  What you bring:

  You are confident with office organization, correspondence and office programs, and you explain processes clearly.

  How to get there:

  Alongside a commercial qualification and work experience, you need the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung) under § 30 BBiG, which you prove in an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Preparation courses are optional, and their length depends on the provider. Full-time jobs exist mainly in large companies and at training providers; otherwise, training is often an additional task.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30, Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AEVO)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.