perception of PA EA AA

[Alice P.]

In your eyes, what is the difference between an Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant and Personal Assistant?  I was in a mid level management meeting and was asked what the difference was.  My answer was it depends on the position and the company but they are all similar in nature, but each one can be specialized to their own job and level of knowledge.  AA is perceived as the level below EA and PA is similar to an EA but takes on more personal tasks for the their manager.  It appears I stepped on the President's admins toes, her official title is  Administrative Assistant - Executive Office.  I was in a damned if you say it damned if you don't situation! IS there really a difference?   I think my answer was pretty accurate.

[gee4]

You know what Alice, sometimes I don't think there is a difference.  However job titles do not always reflect the role we have and that is important.

Eg.  All those who support a manager/director in my company are called Secretaries which in my opinion is very old-fashioned.  It sounds like I sit and type all day when in fact I do none of that.

I would rank these in descending order as I see it -

EA - CEO level
PA - Director level
AA - Manager level

If job titles do not reflect the role, then companies need to address this.  My company is currently undertaking such an exercise.

[peaches2160]

Our terms are:

Sr. Executive Assistant - President, CEO level and some Sr. Exec. VP's
Executive Assistant - VP Level

Really no difference in the jobs above.

Sr. Administrative Asst and Administrative Asst - Some VP's.

Our directors and managers do not have administrative assistants. 

[Katie G]

In my organization we have Adminstrative Assistants, Specialists, Cooridnators, Lead Admins....The Head Honcho's assistant simply goes by "Assistant to the Head Honcho."  The Vice Head Honcho has the title Administraive Manager.  The Super Head Honcho's person is and Executive Assistant.

No rhyme or reason to it whatsoever.  Me, I don't care what you call me, just work with me and meet the payroll!

[BeckyA]

We are about the same as Katie!   I think each boss makes up the title.   With that said, I do think your description is pretty accurate.  It is how I would say it.