how does your employer refer to you?

[vegasadmin]

My employer generally calls me by and refers to me by first name, though sometimes he calls me "my secretary".  My title is technically Office Manager, but I don't think he's aware of such subtleties!  And since I'm the only person in the office besides him, secretary works just as well, since I'm actually everything.  <g>  (I had to laugh a couple of weeks ago when he had to call me and ask what me last name was.  He'd completely blanked on it and just couldn't think of it.)



Colleen

[radaro]

My title is Executive Assistant and my boss refers to me by my first name or as "my assistant"



For a while, we had a consultant here who would refer to me as "so-and-so's secretary".  Each time I would correct him and say that I was an assistant.  Finally, I went to the Office Team web-site, downloaded and printed the job descriptions.  I found "Executive Assistant", highlighted it and then gave it to the consultant.  Now he calls me "so-and-so's assistant".  Yay! A small victory.

[spitfire78]

Just out of curiosity...  I see that some of you really prefer being called "assistant" as opposed to "secretary".  And I can tell that some of you feel very strongly about it, too.  I'm kind of curious to know why you feel strongly about being called assistant, and what you feel the difference is between secretary and assistant.

[radaro]

Seeing as this comment came immediately after mine, I figured that you think I am one of those people!



I don't like being called a secretary mainly because I have never ever had any formal secretarial training (okay, I did take grade 10 typing).  I like to think of myself as my boss's assistant, kinda of like his "right hand man".



Also, I think the role of secretary has transformed so much over the last 10-15 years that there really is no such thing as a "secretary" anymore.  Even if you are called secretary you are more likely doing the work of an assistant.



As I mentioned, Office Team does not use the term "secretary", of course, it may be in name only.



"If you call a rose by any other name does it not smell as sweet?"

[bohorquez]

My director Ken refers to me as his assistant.  On his voicemail, he'll just mention my first name.



I don't like that everyone else in the office calls me the "receptionist" and that's because I'm not just the receptionist.  I'm the Administrative Specialist.  I know you guys like that title!  



But when there are no clients around I'm "Bridge.... Hey Bridge" and my boss Karen sometimes calls me "Bridgey poo" when I know she needs some help with her computer.  



Bridget



 

[eclecticone]

One of the consultants I support refers to me as "The Queen." I rather like that moniker. She's also been known to call me "Quick Draw" because she says that whenever she needs something, I've done it practically before she's had a chance to ask.



Generally speaking, most folks just use my name when referring to me. When a title is necessary for distinguishing my role on one of our project teams, or when introduced to a client, I'm either "my assistant" or "AA."



Regarding title distinction between secretary or "administrative _______" I have to say that I, too, would prefer not to be called "secretary." Not that there's anything wrong with that role, but I do feel that a secretary's job responsibilities differ from mine. I think that as an administrative assistant there is a less defined boundary between my role and others within my practice.  Where I work, that equates to more room for growth.



That's just my $.02.

[energizer]

Usually, "My Assistant, Kathy" or just "My Assistant."  

[bethalize]

Secretary: someone who works in an office and writes letters, makes telephone calls, arranges meetings and organizes documents for a particular person or for a company, organization etc.



Sure, I do some of that. But my boss also does it for herself.  I do lots and lots of other things. I do figures and research and costings and client management and planning and lots of other things.



The least of what I do is typing. That's why I am an administrative assistant (a personal assistant, in fact) not a secretary. New title for new jobs.

[spitfire78]

Thanks, Bethalize.  That's what I was looking for.  I have been a secretary for many years in the same company.  My position is actually classified as "secretary."  We do have some positions classified as administrative assistant, but in reality, those people don't do anything different from what I do - typing, organizing meetings, opening and responding to correspondence, answering phones, travel arrangements, etc.  They just do it for someone higher up in the company!  So, in our company there really are no distinguishing differences other than your boss' rank.  I was just curious when I saw some of the posts what people feel is the difference.  Because I have been at the same place for so long, I guess I'm a little "out of touch" as far as the latest classifications and job descriptions.