As a long career Executive Assistant, I am very frustrated at what is going on the Admnistrative Assistant indusrty.

Anonymous

February 16,2024 at 12:43PM UTC

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As a long career Executive Assistant, I am very frustrated at what is going on the Admnistrative Assistant indusrty. For 25 years, I have been a very dedicated EA assisting vey high level people across prestigious financial firms.

Ever since the Pandemic and lay offs, I can not find a full time position whether I apply directly to a company or through a staffing agency, despite my numerous networking resources.

While I am contracted now and am grateful for that, it is only 24 hours a week after four months and I would like more hours and at least have an idea of a possible conversion.

I have addressed this issue with my recruiter and her response is "They like you a lot, I can ask."

I am not eligible for benefits with even the staffing agency because I am only working 24 hours a week, so my only option for benefits is Medicaid.

I feel stuck in a loop. So many positions these days for what I do and quite good at are only advertised as contract.

If high level executives at major firms or even smaller botique financial firms need people with advanced skills to assist them, then how do they expect to atrract experienced professionals with a "We will see" attitude.

If anyone has any advice or connections to people with direct hires, please send me a private message and I will respond.

Thank You

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AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 3:14PM UTC
There are many roles I have seen on LinkedIn for EA's and remote as well. I would check them out and see if anything interests you.
AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 8:42PM UTC
Yes, that is true, and I do apply to jobs for EA roles on lnked in addition to companies directly. But the EA roles on linked in- 90% + of them are all through staffing agencies and while they say on site, full time when you apply and they call me, I find out its not really full time. Their version of full time is that I am working forty hours a week. They get comission and the comapny I am assigned to gets free help in that they don't have to pay me for benefits, a discretionary bonus or vacation. This is why Iam so frustrated having had full time positions long term before. I don't know what else to do Anymore than what I have been doing. I network, I have employed people tore-writemy resume. I really have done everything Iknow to do. I have even explored other fields not in finance where my skills as an EA would easily be transferable but they won't even consider me because they know where Ihave worked in the past. I am flexible to any industry, I just find that they are not flexible to me even if I took a pay cut because they think I will leave for the next best higher paying opportunity. After five years of being bounced around, I just want a job that feels like home, even though I know anything can happen. Not having benefits and state health care has taken its toll on me. I am grateful tobe workingthree days a week,but its just not enough.
AnonymousFebruary 16,2024 at 3:22PM UTC
You may need to find a full time position outside of your recruiter. Your recruiter sounds like they're trying to stall because if the client says no to full time they think you'll leave. If you get another offer you can let the recruiter know they are offering you full time and that might give your recruiter and their client some urgency on this.
Driving DirectionsJune 23,2026 at 2:26AM UTC
You've built an impressive career, and I can understand why the uncertainty is frustrating. I'd keep the conversation open with your current employer, but also continue pursuing direct-hire roles. In today's market, it's important to keep multiple options available until something is confirmed. Best of luck!
https://drivingdirectionsmap.io