So many events, webinars, publications, and blogs discuss accelerating your Assistant’s career path and progression. Career success comes in many shapes and forms and, let’s face it, is an entirely personal definition.
You might define success as having a fantastic salary, a great job title, or a nice office. It could mean working in an incredible industry or having a truly inspiring visionary Executive.
For some, success means an enjoyable, stress-free job that ends at 5 pm every day, leaving the office without a backward glance.
While most professionals follow a more structured path to define their success, this isn’t always the case for Assistants.
Job titles, promotions, career plans, and progression for Assistants are as varied as the job itself, with more job titles than any other profession worldwide. With an undefined career path, it can be challenging for an Assistant to seek salary increases, promotions, and job title changes.
Reward and recognition are difficult to achieve, especially with factors like gender politics and the outdated stereotype of being “just the Assistant.”
Here’s how you can measure your career growth as an Assistant and accelerate your career path and progression despite challenges around reward and recognition.
In this article, we’ll cover:
This exclusive bundle of resources is designed especially for Assistants – it includes a range of useful templates, including examples of SMART objectives for Executive Assistants, goal-setting worksheets, conversation templates, and more.
For a long time, I felt like I was just an Assistant who simply did the job.
I knew I could do more and wanted to, but a lack of confidence in my role prevented me from stepping forward. This feeling is common among Assistants, but recognizing it is the first step toward change.
I didn’t believe in my job title—or myself—enough to speak up. I thought my colleagues wouldn’t listen to “just the assistant,” so I did my work as best I could without striving for more.
A turning point came during an interview with a hedge fund owner. As I was going over my resume, he suddenly asked, “Do you realize how often you’ve said you’re ‘just’ this or ‘just’ that? I know you could do this job, but I won’t hire you because you don’t think highly of yourself.”
Leaving that interview, I felt shocked and angry that a stranger had seen my lack of confidence so clearly. But I knew that if it was that obvious, I’d have to change my self-perception and how I viewed my profession. This realization was pivotal—it made me confront the limiting beliefs holding me back.
So I did. That was the shift from “just the assistant” to a career-driven Executive Assistant. Embracing a new mindset opened doors I hadn’t imagined before.
Looking through my employment history, I realized I could handle a hundred different roles because of my experiences as an Assistant.
I had sat in meetings with Directors and CEOs, acquiring substantial business skills that many colleagues lacked. These experiences weren’t just part of the job; they were valuable learning opportunities that equipped me with a diverse skill set.
I had advanced IT skills and could build websites, write marketing materials, and organize launch events. I could do anything I set my mind to, as long as I had the confidence to push myself forward.
Building confidence and self-belief didn’t happen overnight. It required deliberate effort and a commitment to personal growth.
I attended various training courses and listened to other Executive Assistants who had achieved success.
Eventually, I began to believe I could follow their footsteps. Surrounding myself with positive role models made a significant difference.
If you’re not following thought-leaders on social media, start now. Listening to and connecting with people who understand the role and recognize the value you bring can be transformative. Join associations and networks for Assistants and attend events. These actions all helped me boost my confidence and shift my mindset.
I realized that I liked my job a lot! This newfound appreciation fueled my motivation to excel.
I didn’t want to do anything else because no day is the same. My work was diverse, creative, demanding, fast-paced, and, most importantly, never dull.
Once you start to like and develop a passion for your job, the determination to speak up for yourself is easier because you care about your work. Passion becomes a driving force that propels you forward.
The people I’ve worked with are highly educated and at the top of their careers, and I helped them make the big decisions that moved the company forward.
Not many people can say that!
Also, you are trusted by senior people in the organization. They wouldn’t have trusted you unless they believed in your skills.
Recognizing the impact you have on significant outcomes can greatly enhance your sense of worth and confidence.
So, in the end, I made a vow to myself that I would always push myself forward and would no longer be “just the Assistant.”
I would be THE Assistant.
Moving beyond the “just an Assistant” mindset is crucial for career progression. But how do you translate this new mindset into tangible rewards and recognition?
If you feel unrewarded as an Executive Assistant or Personal Assistant, you’re not alone.
In a video available through The EA Campus, we discuss how Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants can change their perspective on the role and gain the recognition they deserve. Topics include:
Understanding these factors is essential in navigating your career advancement.
Now that we’ve addressed mindset and recognition, let’s explore practical steps for climbing the career ladder as an Assistant.
Assistants can take many paths to accelerate their career progression, and some paths are more challenging than others. Seeking a promotion in your current role can be particularly tough.
However, it’s worth pursuing. Why work tirelessly to help a company succeed without enjoying the reward and recognition that others receive?
Here are some tips to help you take those first steps toward promotion and acceleration in your Assistant career:
Learn your organization’s strategy and align your work to reflect it. By demonstrating strategic thinking, you position yourself as more than just support staff—you become a valuable contributor to the company’s goals.
You may focus all your attention on one Executive or a small team, but your role brings you into contact with the company’s decision-makers.
You are privy to their conversations and how they make decisions.
Ensure you listen to these people and build up your company’s knowledge and business acumen.
Connect with people in your organization to expand your influence. Networking isn’t just about socializing; it’s about building relationships that can open doors to new opportunities.
It is incredible how quickly Assistants can establish a network when working in a new organization.
Getting to know everyone quickly is relatively easy because of your relationship with your manager.
Most people in the company want to know who the Assistant is and how best to work with them because they work closely with the decision-makers.
Use this to your advantage.
Take on more visible projects to gain notice. Volunteering for challenging tasks shows initiative and a willingness to grow beyond your current role.
As the saying goes, “everything is figureoutable.” If you want to fast-track your Executive career, you must ask for other duties, take on visible, dynamic projects, and get noticed.
Yes, of course, keep on top of your day-to-day work and ensure you can support your Executive. But if you feel confident and capable, always ask for additional responsibilities.
Position yourself as an indispensable part of the team. When your contributions are vital to the organization’s success, your value becomes undeniable.
This has to be your touchstone if you want a promotion.
You have to get to where your company does not want to let you go because you are invaluable and valuable.
In other words, it is in their best interest to keep you happy and fulfilled in your work.
While these steps can position you for advancement, sometimes a change in job title is necessary to reflect your evolving role. Let’s discuss how to navigate that conversation.
Negotiating a job title change can be intimidating, but it’s often necessary if you’re taking on more responsibilities and your title doesn’t reflect your workload.
Here are some tips for negotiating a job title change:
Know how job titles are tied to pay grades. This knowledge will help you present a compelling case that aligns with company policies.
The structure of your organization can make negotiating a job title change challenging.
Many job titles are associated with pay grades and reporting lines.
This is generally true for larger organizations but may not necessarily include Assistants. The structure may be less rigid in smaller organizations, making negotiating job title changes a lot easier.
Make a list of all your tasks to illustrate the scope of your role. A detailed account of your duties can highlight discrepancies between your title and your actual work.
As I’ve often said, your manager may not fully appreciate everything you do and may be surprised once they see all the duties listed in black and white.
Gather as much evidence as possible to support your argument for a job title change, including any positive feedback you have received.
The best time to request a title change is during your annual review. This is when discussions about performance and compensation naturally occur.
If you are swamped with work that you consider outside of your current job title, schedule time with your Executive as soon as possible.
They may not do something until your review period, but at least you have brought your concerns to their attention.
Explain how the title change will support your Executive and your team. Emphasize the mutual benefits to make your case more persuasive.
If you have an administrative title (or even a Personal Assistant title) and you are managing the CEO’s calendar, this doesn’t make your CEO look particularly professional.
Changing your job title to Executive Assistant will increase your authority and, in turn, ensures your Executive and your organization have that level of support.
Ensure any agreement is documented to prevent misunderstandings. Formalizing the change protects both you and the organization.
A title change will affect your contract and job description, so both documents must be updated.
Negotiating a job title is a significant step, but compensation is also crucial. Let’s explore how to approach salary discussions.
If you feel nervous about asking for a raise, you’re not alone.
Assistants are often under-recognized and underpaid for the work they do. In our Effective Assistant Online Course, former PA and recruitment specialist Lucy Chamberlain shares negotiation tips specifically for Assistants, including strategies for asking for and securing a pay raise.
Gaining confidence in negotiation skills can lead to better compensation and increased job satisfaction.
Sometimes, career progression means transitioning into a new field altogether. If you’re considering this path, here’s how to navigate it.
An Assistant’s skills are incredibly transferable. If you’re sure you want to pivot in your career, it takes patience and determination.
Here are a few tips to transition out of the Assistant role:
Define Your Dream Job: Even if it feels like a pipe dream, knowing what you want is the first step.
Map Out Steps to Achieve Your Goal: Set realistic milestones and be patient with the process. Breaking down your goal into actionable steps makes it more attainable.
Find a Mentor: Connect with someone in your target field for guidance and support. A mentor can provide insights and advice that accelerate your transition.
Leverage Your Current Job: Start taking on responsibilities that align with your new career direction. This allows you to gain relevant experience while still in your current role.
Transitioning careers is challenging but entirely possible with the right strategy and support. Ultimately, measuring your career success comes down to personal fulfillment and growth. Let’s consider how you can assess your progress meaningfully.
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