Title: Levels of Secretary Titles & Their Expectations???
Post by: chris68 on November 20, 2002, 08:45:11 pm
Okay I have a question and I'm not sure if I will ask it correctly or even if I know what I am asking for but here goes; and please if your not understanding it let me know and I will elaborate the best that I can.
Now knowing that there are different levels of Secretary, Admin, PA, Executive Assistant titles floating around out there, I'm just wondering what the difference is in job duties vs pay scale on some of these titles. I know the payscale issue is gonna be dependent upon the area/region you live in and the market, but I was just wondering what the difference in all these titles really means?
I've had several Receptionist/Secretary level positions in the past which include multi-tasking in doing both. But this is the first position I've held (5 years now) as a Secretary to the CFO of our company. I'm just curious to the levels of Secretary as they upgraded a couple of positions during our reorganization and merge and I'm just wondering if the qualifications are different? Degree was a non-issue as I have my Associate Degree but I think what they were after was someone with alot more experience and quite frankly I just could not compete with someone that has been out in the workforce for more years than I have. Otherwise, I think I was good competition for the hirees.
I realize that with the higher title as Executive Assistant usually there is a ton more responsibility but along with that a higher pay grade. Just curious.
I guess this also goes along with what do I have to talk to bossie about in possibly getting my title changed to fit with the job description. I'm not sure if a change in title is necessary and I want to have that discussion with him when he does my yearly review fairly soon.
Thanks!
Chris68
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
Now knowing that there are different levels of Secretary, Admin, PA, Executive Assistant titles floating around out there, I'm just wondering what the difference is in job duties vs pay scale on some of these titles. I know the payscale issue is gonna be dependent upon the area/region you live in and the market, but I was just wondering what the difference in all these titles really means?
I've had several Receptionist/Secretary level positions in the past which include multi-tasking in doing both. But this is the first position I've held (5 years now) as a Secretary to the CFO of our company. I'm just curious to the levels of Secretary as they upgraded a couple of positions during our reorganization and merge and I'm just wondering if the qualifications are different? Degree was a non-issue as I have my Associate Degree but I think what they were after was someone with alot more experience and quite frankly I just could not compete with someone that has been out in the workforce for more years than I have. Otherwise, I think I was good competition for the hirees.
I realize that with the higher title as Executive Assistant usually there is a ton more responsibility but along with that a higher pay grade. Just curious.
I guess this also goes along with what do I have to talk to bossie about in possibly getting my title changed to fit with the job description. I'm not sure if a change in title is necessary and I want to have that discussion with him when he does my yearly review fairly soon.
Thanks!
Chris68
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
Edited by chris68 on 20/11/02 07:48 PM.
Title: Re: Levels of Secretary Titles & Their Expectations???
Post by: blufire21 on November 20, 2002, 09:29:20 pm
Why don't you try salary.com. They list a bunch of different titles for our postions as well as pay rates.
Ellen in TX
Ellen in TX
Title: Re: Levels of Secretary Titles & Their Expectations???
Post by: claudiamag on November 20, 2002, 10:14:02 pm
Chris, I have a sort of chart that our HR department put together that outlines the general description for each level of AA. Of course, there are variants between departments and such. In our company the level of pay is determined by where you fall on this AA chart as well as where you are located (this being a global company). In other words, an Admin II in Los Angeles will be paid more than an Admin II in say Iowa (for example). But another determining factor, at least in our company, is who you actually work for. For example, if you support a Senior VP you will be paid more than if you support a Business Unit Manager, even if you have the same title.
Anyway, let me know if you want a copy of this chart and I will email it to you.
Anyway, let me know if you want a copy of this chart and I will email it to you.
Title: Re: Levels of Secretary Titles & Their Expectations???
Post by: mnaeempk on November 21, 2002, 08:48:18 am
Hi,
We are also in the process of restructuring and also doing a job classification related to all cadres. We have developed draft chart which has to go under enormous refinement. Can I request a copy too (mnaeempk@yahoo.com)
mnaeempk
Naeem in Pakistan
We are also in the process of restructuring and also doing a job classification related to all cadres. We have developed draft chart which has to go under enormous refinement. Can I request a copy too (mnaeempk@yahoo.com)
mnaeempk Naeem in Pakistan
Title: Re: Levels of Secretary Titles & Their Expectations???
Post by: jewels6567 on November 21, 2002, 02:50:06 pm
I think it also depends on what type of company you work for and what titles they use. For instance my company uses only admin assistant or practice administrator in a few cases. A company I used to work for called everyone executive assistants. Law firms generally use secretary or legal secretary.
Find out what titles your company offers first and then go from there. You probably should have a higher title, if there is one, since you are supporting the CFO.
Julie
Find out what titles your company offers first and then go from there. You probably should have a higher title, if there is one, since you are supporting the CFO.
Julie
Title: Re: Levels of Secretary Titles & Their Expectations???
Post by: chris68 on November 21, 2002, 03:20:25 pm
Well my title was one more of a specialized title being a Financial Secretary. I think initially he wanted someone with more of an accounting background to help support his Accounting Department. I'm not a numbers person nor have ever claimed to be and was very honest in telling him that in the interview. He hired me knowing I can do the Secretarial portion of the position with one hand behind my back and needed a person in this office to monitor everything for security purposes. So far things have worked out very well. Now he's relying on another Admin in the Human Resources Department for our move, and a bunch of other things on Insurance that I am really not qualified to do just yet. I'm hoping that at some point after our move she will be able to cross train me on some things and take some other things over for her so she will have more time to do the things she needs to do on the Admin side that I cannot. However, I have asked about taking over a few things to lighten her load with no avail. I plan on bringing that up in the interview, only cause I know once that happens they will pile more work on the Admin and it's so lopsided. My work comes in spurts so I have down time to be helpful in other areas. Sometimes it's just not enough for a whole day, other times there isn't enough hours in the day.
The two positions that were upgraded work for my bosses boss' department. One works directly for the President & COO and the other works for the Exec. Vice President as an Admin Assistant both in the same department. So maybe bossie decided then when they upgraded those positions that he wasn't willing to change them in case I ever left and he wanted an accountant type person in here with him. Dunno that til' I talk to him and ask more questions. Hubby thought the same thing, he wondered why I didn't have the same title as the other Executive Assistant.
However, on the layout map of our new offices he has Admin Assistant on my office space next to his, which I don't understand that either. Maybe he has decided to change things and was waiting for my review to go over some things. I just don' t know that yet. He knows I was involved in the interviewing process for the Execuive Assistant position and he knows my reasoning behind being involved and fully understood. He's a great boss in that regard and in personal training and growth, so I think that helped.
I'm just trying to get a good solid ground on where our discussion should go for this change and I need some solid foundations to fall on for my reasoning and prove to him I guess that it really should be changed.
Thanks.
Chris68
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
The two positions that were upgraded work for my bosses boss' department. One works directly for the President & COO and the other works for the Exec. Vice President as an Admin Assistant both in the same department. So maybe bossie decided then when they upgraded those positions that he wasn't willing to change them in case I ever left and he wanted an accountant type person in here with him. Dunno that til' I talk to him and ask more questions. Hubby thought the same thing, he wondered why I didn't have the same title as the other Executive Assistant.
However, on the layout map of our new offices he has Admin Assistant on my office space next to his, which I don't understand that either. Maybe he has decided to change things and was waiting for my review to go over some things. I just don' t know that yet. He knows I was involved in the interviewing process for the Execuive Assistant position and he knows my reasoning behind being involved and fully understood. He's a great boss in that regard and in personal training and growth, so I think that helped.
I'm just trying to get a good solid ground on where our discussion should go for this change and I need some solid foundations to fall on for my reasoning and prove to him I guess that it really should be changed.
Thanks.
Chris68
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
Title: Re: Levels of Secretary Titles & Their Expectations???
Post by: countrigal on November 22, 2002, 05:21:24 pm
Chris,
Some of your best and most useful resources will be what your HR office provides and what your networking with co-workers will provide. Even between government facilities titles and duties relevant to those titles change, as I've found out through my moves. I would suggest asking for a generic job description/duty expectation for various positions or levels of Admin support in your company and going from there. In my last 6 years, I've been called Clerical Support, Administrative Support, Program Support Assistant and Program Support, and all the jobs have been basically the same duties/skill requirements. Sometimes a position title doesn't really affect much. This is all based on your company policy. Good luck!
CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
Some of your best and most useful resources will be what your HR office provides and what your networking with co-workers will provide. Even between government facilities titles and duties relevant to those titles change, as I've found out through my moves. I would suggest asking for a generic job description/duty expectation for various positions or levels of Admin support in your company and going from there. In my last 6 years, I've been called Clerical Support, Administrative Support, Program Support Assistant and Program Support, and all the jobs have been basically the same duties/skill requirements. Sometimes a position title doesn't really affect much. This is all based on your company policy. Good luck!
CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
Title: Re: Levels of Secretary Titles & Their Expectations???
Post by: tdonyel on November 27, 2002, 05:56:27 pm
It's been awhile since I've had a chance to look in on the forum. First off all, I hope everyone has a great holiday and everyone's advice is great!
On this subject, I had a discussion with my boss, who took over in May as the Genral Manager and Vice President for our compnay. Before that he was the Director of Sales and Marketing and my title was Executive Assistant, Sales & Marketing. With the expanse of both our roles, he said that I could choose a title, and I went with Executive Services Manager, which basically means that I am the Office Manager, I still offer Sales and Marketing Support and assist the Executive Staff when needed. My main duty is still to assist him. I looked at salary dot.com to compare my duties to the titles and none quite fit, because I I do some and not others, so he was happy with the titlwe and it's been that was since May.
Terri
On this subject, I had a discussion with my boss, who took over in May as the Genral Manager and Vice President for our compnay. Before that he was the Director of Sales and Marketing and my title was Executive Assistant, Sales & Marketing. With the expanse of both our roles, he said that I could choose a title, and I went with Executive Services Manager, which basically means that I am the Office Manager, I still offer Sales and Marketing Support and assist the Executive Staff when needed. My main duty is still to assist him. I looked at salary dot.com to compare my duties to the titles and none quite fit, because I I do some and not others, so he was happy with the titlwe and it's been that was since May.
Terri
Title: Re: Levels of Secretary Titles & Their Expectations???
Post by: derekdhammaloka on November 29, 2002, 10:31:55 pm
Being an associate member of IQPS is fun, but I would not go beyond this level. I would mainly be involved with computers. At the National Conference Gala Dinner I was classed as an EasySec.
In 1991, I have got a degree in Maths, Statistics and Computing. As it is expensive to do courses in programming (funding is hardly available) and I did not want to borrow money, I have resorted to doing a secretarial course at a college in SE London. I could get funding without borrowing if I went to college.
Being a secretary is great fun. I have a typing speed of 50-60 words per minute. I have RSA Stage 3 Text Processing and Stage 2 Audio Typing. I have a shorthand speed of 50 wpm. Shorthand seems to be less significant nowadays. How about from text messages using mobiles.
I would enjoy Christmas Parties (e.g. one at Wolverhampton Racecourse).
Derek
In 1991, I have got a degree in Maths, Statistics and Computing. As it is expensive to do courses in programming (funding is hardly available) and I did not want to borrow money, I have resorted to doing a secretarial course at a college in SE London. I could get funding without borrowing if I went to college.
Being a secretary is great fun. I have a typing speed of 50-60 words per minute. I have RSA Stage 3 Text Processing and Stage 2 Audio Typing. I have a shorthand speed of 50 wpm. Shorthand seems to be less significant nowadays. How about from text messages using mobiles.
I would enjoy Christmas Parties (e.g. one at Wolverhampton Racecourse).
Derek
Title: Re: Levels of Secretary Titles & Their Expectations???
Post by: Jackie G on November 30, 2002, 07:01:59 pm
Just so nobody misunderstands the 'Easy Sec' reference in Derek's posting above, all the tables at the conference dinner had different names - I can't honestly remember what my table was called.
The theme was around aeroplanes hence EasySec; this was not casting aspersions (or otherwise) on the professional qualities and calibre of everyone attending!
As for levels etc.... Derek, you can upgrade to full membership status of IQPS after 5 years continuous membership - forms available from the office.
Jackie
www.iqps.org
Peer Moderator
The theme was around aeroplanes hence EasySec; this was not casting aspersions (or otherwise) on the professional qualities and calibre of everyone attending!
As for levels etc.... Derek, you can upgrade to full membership status of IQPS after 5 years continuous membership - forms available from the office.
Jackie www.iqps.org
Peer Moderator
Title: Re: Levels of Secretary Titles & Their Expectations???
Post by: akara on December 05, 2002, 12:35:50 pm
In my experience size of company is very important here. A large company probably has different levels of admin staff with pay scales to match. A director-level secretary in such a company will be classified more as a PA (Executive Assistant appears to be the equivalent US title) and can expect a higher salary, but the boss will probably expect more 'looking after' in turn.
I have worked mostly for small companies - and in recent years they have been very small indeed. My current title is PA to MD/Office Manager, but since there are only 3 people in this office and I am the only admin person, I do everything!!
Ultimately, do titles really matter? Each company is different in how it classifies its admin staff. THe important thing is that you and your boss have come to an understanding about how you are going to work together, what each of you expects of the other, and that you feel that your salary level justifies your responsibilities.
Akara
I have worked mostly for small companies - and in recent years they have been very small indeed. My current title is PA to MD/Office Manager, but since there are only 3 people in this office and I am the only admin person, I do everything!!
Ultimately, do titles really matter? Each company is different in how it classifies its admin staff. THe important thing is that you and your boss have come to an understanding about how you are going to work together, what each of you expects of the other, and that you feel that your salary level justifies your responsibilities.
Akara
Title: I'm contemplating this right now
Post by: adassistant on January 02, 2003, 09:38:11 pm
You all helped me so much in the past, I'd like some support now as well. An EVP just joined our company a month ago, and I support him. I now work with (1) EVP, (2) SVPs and (7) others. All the other EVPs have Executive Assistants working with them, but my title is still Administrative Assistant. I've been trying to get up the nerve to talk to him about it but I'm too nervous,,, because I'd like a pay increase, as i belive this is considered a promotion. Any advise? And please, please tell me if you disagree. Thanks!
Title: Re: I'm contemplating this right now
Post by: blufire21 on January 02, 2003, 09:44:22 pm
Usually it is a promotion (with a raise), but in my case it's just a title change. I went from receptionist, to administrative assistant, to office admin asst. to office manager....all w/o a pay raise. Of course we're a startup, and money isn't abundant, but in these times, I could happen to you to.
Ellen in TX
Ellen in TX
Title: Re: I'm contemplating this right now
Post by: countrigal on January 02, 2003, 11:01:18 pm
You say that you've only worked with this EVP one month. With that, I would suggest holding off a bit and see how things go before approaching him about a title change/promotion. He may have ideas of promoting you himself, or bringing in someone else for that position, and you want some time under your belt with him to support your request when you do go to him. When you go to him to request the title change and promotion, be confident. Do this by being prepared and having your conversation mapped out (to some extent). If you can, get a PD from those in the position you desire and compare it with what you already are doing and what your PD says. Be prepared with a new PD that reflects the changes you want, and have those changes available in some easy to notice format so that bossie can tell quickly what changes you're suggesting (perhaps pulled out into a second document listing what you're adding and what's being subtracted from your current PD).
That's all my poor head can come up with this afternoon, but I'm sure others will chime in with their suggestions soon.
CountriGal
Peer Moderator
That's all my poor head can come up with this afternoon, but I'm sure others will chime in with their suggestions soon.
CountriGal
Peer Moderator
Title: Re: I'm contemplating this right now
Post by: adassistant on January 03, 2003, 02:26:47 pm
Thanks for your replys. We're meeting sometime today because I requested an informal review. I'll let you know what happens!
Title: Re: I'm contemplating this right now
Post by: adassistant on January 03, 2003, 09:04:45 pm
My new EVP agrees with me!!! Woo hoo! But I have to wait until April to get the promotion. That's only 3 months away. Thanks for your support!
Title: Re: I'm contemplating this right now
Post by: blufire21 on January 03, 2003, 09:20:37 pm
Go you! Keep us updated.
Ellen in TX
Ellen in TX