numbers and titles

[LaFille]

i'm looking at job listings... what is the difference between, for example, a 'secretary I' and 'secretary II' and 'secretary III.' there's no definition on the site i am looking at. is a 'I' more experienced than a 'II?' or the opposite?

i'm not looking for a job as a secretary, but it was the shortest title i saw listed with the #s...

[CTGirl]

In some professions, there are different levels like that. If you go to Salary.com, you should be able to find explanations of what each means.

[CityGal]

From my job searches the higher the number the more experience the job required. A 'secretary I' would be like an entry level admin and a 'secretary V' would be like the EA to the president of the company.

[WorkInProgress]

From my job searches the higher the number the more experience the job required. A 'secretary I' would be like an entry level admin and a 'secretary V' would be like the EA to the president of the company.

That's my best guess too.

[LaFille]

thanks guys :)

[weary]

From my job searches the higher the number the more experience the job required. A 'secretary I' would be like an entry level admin and a 'secretary V' would be like the EA to the president of the company.

i think it really depends on the company. i say this b/c in the 5 places i've worked - 4 of which i worked in HR and dealt with position classifications/job titles - it varied greatly. at company A, an admin I was lowest (like CG's example) and an admin V was highest. at company B, it's the opposite. in some companies, they may not even bother with the numbering/lettering, but have 3 levels of say, associates that don't even show in actual job titles are are only referred to whe using compensation tables (which HR and hiring managers probably only see).

i'm sorry this probably wasn't helpful at all. but i just don't want you to think that there's an accross-the-board format, b/c you could make some assumptions about potential jobs, in the wrong direction.

[WorkInProgress]

Good point, weary. Don't the job descriptions/requirements give it away?

[weary]

Good point, weary. Don't the job descriptions/requirements give it away?

usually. but it's hard to break down if it's something as close as admin I and admin II...not that much diff between the two. i don't think it'd really matter all that much when applying, to be honest. it's the same type of job. it's not like it's the diff between a law clerk and a partner. :razz:

[embrassezla]

I thought those titles were company-defined as well, which is why I think it's hilarious that my SO's business card has him listed as a "Marketing Analyst II", like anyone knows what the crap a marketing analyst TWO is.

[weary]

I thought those titles were company-defined as well, which is why I think it's hilarious that my SO's business card has him listed as a "Marketing Analyst II", like anyone knows what the crap a marketing analyst TWO is.

exactly.

i really don't get why jobs are even posted (or in your SO's case, on a card) like that. when i had decision-making power over that kind of stuff, one of the first changes i made was a general rule on all job listings/postings/etc. that would in any way shape or form be seen by outside eyes, be shortened to not include any internal codes or classifications. it only confuses people. :googly:

[wordsmith]

Titles are pretty liquid.

I'm an editor, it's my official title. I have to/get to do things that an editor at another paper would not have among his or her duties and opportunities.

[WorkInProgress]

To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what my actual job title is. It isn't the one I started with, as I do different things than I did to begin with. I think I'm some kind of assistant.

[PenforPrez]

i'm looking at job listings... what is the difference between, for example, a 'secretary I' and 'secretary II' and 'secretary III.' there's no definition on the site i am looking at. is a 'I' more experienced than a 'II?' or the opposite?

Titles like that are common in state positions. I is usually an entry-level position; II and III (and sometimes they have a Level IV) require more experience, and have more responsibilities and more pay.

The job I'm still waiting to hear from the state on is titled State Historic Park Specialist II, which requires more organizational ability and more professional skills. They require a BA and a year of experience for it, as opposed to State Historic Park Specialist I, which is an entry-level position. But the II level position pays about 7k a year more. :)

Paul

[WorkInProgress]

Titles like that are common in state positions. I is usually an entry-level position; II and III (and sometimes they have a Level IV) require more experience, and have more responsibilities and more pay.

The job I'm still waiting to hear from the state on is titled State Historic Park Specialist II, which requires more organizational ability and more professional skills. They require a BA and a year of experience for it, as opposed to State Historic Park Specialist I, which is an entry-level position. But the II level position pays about 7k a year more. :)

Paul

You're still waiting on that one? When do you think you'll hear? I'm crossing my fingers for ya.

[weary]

paul brings up a good point. public service/government/military positions DO have an across-the-board classification system. but i as far as the rest of the corporate/working world...i don't think.

[PenforPrez]

You're still waiting on that one? When do you think you'll hear? I'm crossing my fingers for ya.

With my luck, I expect to get a letter giving me some BS excuse. Like one of my favorite country songs: "Same Old Story, Same Old Lie."

I called them about three weeks ago, and it's not filled yet, but they couldn't find out about any interviews. About time to try them again, I think.

Paul

[WorkInProgress]

With my luck, I expect to get a letter giving me some BS excuse. Like one of my favorite country songs: "Same Old Story, Same Old Lie."

I called them about three weeks ago, and it's not filled yet, but they couldn't find out about any interviews. About time to try them again, I think.

Paul

When does the position close? Do you recall, from when you applied? Have you interviewed yet?

[Kitty]

We have a classification system for our jobs and I do see a lot of postsings for like aministrative assistant I and administrative assistant II - I think it's just the job that they need multiple people to fill.

[Kitty]

BTW, do people still use the word "secretary" in the office setting? I thought that was sort of a no-no.

[embrassezla]

our office uses "group secretary", which I thought was a bit outdated when I first got here, but no one seems to mind.

[WorkInProgress]

BTW, do people still use the word "secretary" in the office setting? I thought that was sort of a no-no.

I don't think I've ever seen it in an office. But I've never worked in an office where a person had a personal secretary, just offices where there are office-wide office managers or administrative assistants, etc.

[dreams82]

Why is there such a stigma attached to the word 'secretary'? Where does this stem from?

[WorkInProgress]

Why is there such a stigma attached to the word 'secretary'? Where does this stem from?
Dunno. Maybe because it makes too many people not think about a profession person, but rather a woman who sleeps with her boss?

[PenforPrez]

When does the position close? Do you recall, from when you applied? Have you interviewed yet?

The position closed August 29th, or at least I had to have my letter of interest back to them before then. I haven't interviewed, and haven't heard anything about it. When I called them, they didn't know and could not find out as the person in the know was "out of the office."

Paul

[Kitty]

Dunno. Maybe because it makes too many people not think about a profession person, but rather a woman who sleeps with her boss?

LOL, exactly.

We even call "personal secretaries," "admin" here.

[WorkInProgress]

The position closed August 29th, or at least I had to have my letter of interest back to them before then. I haven't interviewed, and haven't heard anything about it. When I called them, they didn't know and could not find out as the person in the know was "out of the office."

Paul

Hrm. That doesn't sound good. But you'll probably have to just keep calling, until that person is in. The government jobs I applied for were all good about sending, "the position has been filled" letters"...eventually.

[dreams82]

That's awful, it's just a stereotype.

[PenforPrez]

Hrm. That doesn't sound good. But you'll probably have to just keep calling, until that person is in. The government jobs I applied for were all good about sending, "the position has been filled" letters"...eventually.

When I called, they WERE able to tell me the position had not been filled, and they did have my info on file. I don't know if they're just slow in getting around to it, or what. Times like this, I wish I knew what to do.

Paul

[WorkInProgress]

When I called, they WERE able to tell me the position had not been filled, and they did have my info on file. I don't know if they're just slow in getting around to it, or what. Times like this, I wish I knew what to do.

Paul

Do you have the name and number of the person you need to talk to about it? If not, perhaps the next time you call, ask for it, so you don't have to go through the runaround again.

[LaFille]

i can't tell the level by the job description because they are all pretty similar... also, it's for a huge university with an affiliated hospital, so the descriptions for, say, a secretary in the president's office is totally different than one in the hospital. and in some areas, there is a posting for, for example, one secretary I and three secretary IVs. bizarre.

and yes, it does say 'secretary!' but they also have 'receptionists' and 'administrative assistants' listed, so i have no idea what's going on... :rolleyes:

you would think they'd have a description of all the titles though!

[LaFille]

The position closed August 29th, or at least I had to have my letter of interest back to them before then. I haven't interviewed, and haven't heard anything about it. When I called them, they didn't know and could not find out as the person in the know was "out of the office."

Paul
grrr, summer job searching is the WORST! everyone is on vacation and/or unmotivated to get the hiring done! at least it feels that way when you are looking...

[Kitty]

i can't tell the level by the job description because they are all pretty similar... also, it's for a huge university with an affiliated hospital, so the descriptions for, say, a secretary in the president's office is totally different than one in the hospital. and in some areas, there is a posting for, for example, one secretary I and three secretary IVs. bizarre.

and yes, it does say 'secretary!' but they also have 'receptionists' and 'administrative assistants' listed, so i have no idea what's going on... :rolleyes:

you would think they'd have a description of all the titles though!

Whoa..that does sound like a mess.

[PenforPrez]

grrr, summer job searching is the WORST! everyone is on vacation and/or unmotivated to get the hiring done! at least it feels that way when you are looking...

I'm so clueless on the whole thing, I honestly don't know the difference.