Job Titles

[chevygirl55]

My official title is Administrative Assistant.  I have held this title for the last 16 years.  We are a small company.  There are no levels of Assistants, such as Admin Assistant II or Admin Assistant III.  I serve two executives.  For the President of the company, I am his Executive Assistant and use that title on my correspondence pertaining to projects for him (however I do not "officially hold that title").  My second exec is the Sr. Project Manager for the company.  I know that more is expected of me than the Admin Assistant to the other Project Managers.  I am compensated accordingly.  But in looking at job titles and descriptions, I find that the one that most closely describes what I do in this role is Project Administrator.  In fact, in another division of our company, they are already using this title.  I would like to upgrade my title to Project Administrator.  Mainly, because it better describes what I do but a Project Administrator commands better pay if and when I look for another job.

I don't think there is any reason this has not been done, other than management just hasn't thought of it.  Sort of like, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  

How do I approach this?  Can I submit a written proposal to change my job title?  Anybody else ever do this?

chevygirl55

[aberdeensecretaries]

As you say - probably just never thought of, and 'really doesn't matter' in the current company you work for...BUT...it does matter for the future, presenting your CV when applying for another job etc etc - and it DOES matter to the individual (you).

I would encourage you to put your proposal forward to your bosses (word of mouth is first best approach), and follow up in writing requesting their decision.

I cannot see this being a problem, especially if it is made clear that you are not looking at changing your salary (which you seem content with at this time).

Go for it.

If you don't ask....and all that!

All the best - and let us know the outcome.

Pam

  www.Aberdeen-Secretaries.co.uk  

DeskDemon Forum Board Staff

[superninjaadmin]

Chevy,

Why not submit one?  Most definitely go for it!  Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

Spend plenty of time doing your homework.  Gather information from several sources, internal and external - local and nationwide, Internet and books.  Include your performance evaluations and other kudos you've received.  Prepare something like a comparison list - your current title and what sort of work normally falls into that title, and your proposed title and what you actually and other that have that title actually do.  Don't forget about the salary comparisons, either.  At the end of the proposal, give them several options that you would be willing to consider...make a deal time-wise and money-wise.  

Make sure that in your proposal that you document the time and all the resources you used to gather your information.  This will show your boss and others that you didn't just think of the idea yesterday and tossed it at them the next day.  

Be willing to have several meetings afterwards in the weeks (and perhaps months ahead) to negotiate.  I am sure that some where between you all, a deal can be made.  

Good luck!  Let us know how things are progressing, OK?

SNA

[countrigal]

If all you are looking to do is change your job title to match the job description, I would just approach in person and ask how they feel about you changing your title and how they want you to go about it.  Let them know that the job description would remain the same, as would the salary (if this is all true).  I'd also get a hold of your HR office and see if there are forms/procedure already in place for this sort of thing.  If all you need to do is get a form that is approved by your supervisor/boss, then that would be the easy solution.  Verbally clear it with him, and then present him with the filled out form for his signature.  Most bosses don't care what the admin's title is, as long as changing it doesn't change the salary or the job description (unless to add duties).

Good luck!

CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member

[superninjaadmin]

Oh... I thought Chevy's intent was to possibly get a title change and a salary increase to boot.  

SNA