Ask the Recruiter

As is often the case, you are going to encounter some good news and some bad news. Don't be too discouraged by the bad news though--just recognize it and formulate strategies to deal with it constructively. But first, let's talk about the good news.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, median earnings for full-time workers with advanced degrees are about 29 percent higher than those with bachelor's degrees. Also, people with advanced degrees have the highest percentage of employment of any educational segment. Looking more specifically at your situation, it's fair to say that a master's degree should expand your income and advancement horizons beyond what you have experienced as an administrative assistant.

Here's a reality check though: your MA in liberal arts is more applicable to the academic world than to the business world, where an MBA would probably carry more weight. This might limit your possibilities somewhat, but assuming your choice of liberal arts indicates where your interests lie, this might not be an issue for you. On the other hand, if the business world still interests you, you might use your undergraduate degree (depending on what it is) in combination with your MA to position yourself as someone who has both a business background and an advanced degree. For example, if you got into being an administrative assistant via a bachelor's in business administration, don't let your master's completely overshadow this qualification on your resume.