What is a Personal Assistant/PA and how to Hire a Personal Assistant?
A personal assistant, also known as a personal aide or personal secretary or simply as a PA, is a person whose job is to assist an individual with administrative and secretarial tasks during their day-to-day activities. Assigned to the personal details of officials and managers, the main reason personal assistants are necessary is to free the manager’s schedule of organizational activities by performing those activities on the manager’s behalf.
Basic skills required for a position as a personal assistant include discretion, good verbal and writing skills, tactfulness, reliability, and understanding of basic software packages.
Basic skills required for a position as a personal assistant include discretion, good verbal and writing skills, tactfulness, reliability, and understanding of basic software packages.
Personal Assistant or "PA" Job Description
A PA works closely with their employer to support them in the organisation and management of their private and professional affairs.
This generally includes tasks such as keeping an up-to-date diary, arranging meetings and interviews, acting as representative and liaison with key associates, and certain administrative duties.
A personal assistant is also expected to ensure that their employer's documents are organised and prepared ahead of meetings, business trips and other engagements.
This role demands that the employee be trustworthy and show utmost discretion regarding all confidential information.
They must remain in close contact with their employer at all times, regularly updating themselves with information that may prove useful to their employer's private and business affairs, or that may enable the PA to offer better support and advice.
Their primary responsibility is to take on tasks that may prevent their employer from being fully productive. Most PAs would benefit from having a flexible approach to their work and being willing to take on new responsibilities.
This generally includes tasks such as keeping an up-to-date diary, arranging meetings and interviews, acting as representative and liaison with key associates, and certain administrative duties.
A personal assistant is also expected to ensure that their employer's documents are organised and prepared ahead of meetings, business trips and other engagements.
This role demands that the employee be trustworthy and show utmost discretion regarding all confidential information.
They must remain in close contact with their employer at all times, regularly updating themselves with information that may prove useful to their employer's private and business affairs, or that may enable the PA to offer better support and advice.
Their primary responsibility is to take on tasks that may prevent their employer from being fully productive. Most PAs would benefit from having a flexible approach to their work and being willing to take on new responsibilities.
Reasons to hire a Personal Assistant
According to working families with demanding lives, operating a home can be challenging. Imagine coming home from work and every day completing homework. You're exhausted and want to spend very little time with your family. You're sick.
In fact, it can be very challenging to do all the job by yourself and it can be a satisfying experience that someone can assist you with your daily problems. The recruiting of professional staff of personal assistants is simpler than ever and you can do a lot of assignments to rising the workload.
Most individuals have tough work lives and no opportunity to carry out their assignments. We tend to lose concentration at work if they are thinking with home. A trustworthy staff member may ensure a smooth running household by duties or other household staff oversight.
In fact, it can be very challenging to do all the job by yourself and it can be a satisfying experience that someone can assist you with your daily problems. The recruiting of professional staff of personal assistants is simpler than ever and you can do a lot of assignments to rising the workload.
Most individuals have tough work lives and no opportunity to carry out their assignments. We tend to lose concentration at work if they are thinking with home. A trustworthy staff member may ensure a smooth running household by duties or other household staff oversight.
How to hire a Personal Assistant ?
It is not too difficult to define in a personal assistant what attributes you desire. This does not mean that it is easy to identify and recruit an outstanding staff member.
Nonetheless, it is important to do many items to improve the probability of finding the best personal assistant for the work. Morgan&Mallet find for you someone with experience helping or serving others. Someone that truly enjoys serving others will have experience doing so.
Be clear regarding your needs, you don’t just need a personal assistant. You need a personal assistant with a great demeanor and set of skills. You can also make a list of the qualities your ideal personal assistant would possess. Create a list of things you won’t tolerate in a personal assistant. Feel free to ask us the candidate to describe their ideal working situation.
It is really important to give a trial period for your Personal Assistant. Sometimes, the only way to decide is to take a test trip. It can take as little as a week or two. Have a brief idea ready to move to speed the nominee.
Nonetheless, it is important to do many items to improve the probability of finding the best personal assistant for the work. Morgan&Mallet find for you someone with experience helping or serving others. Someone that truly enjoys serving others will have experience doing so.
Be clear regarding your needs, you don’t just need a personal assistant. You need a personal assistant with a great demeanor and set of skills. You can also make a list of the qualities your ideal personal assistant would possess. Create a list of things you won’t tolerate in a personal assistant. Feel free to ask us the candidate to describe their ideal working situation.
It is really important to give a trial period for your Personal Assistant. Sometimes, the only way to decide is to take a test trip. It can take as little as a week or two. Have a brief idea ready to move to speed the nominee.
What responsibilities might a Personal Assistant have ?
The responsibilities of a personal assistant are varied and numerous. In most companies and firms, the core responsibilities of a PA include:
Other miscellaneous activities that may fall under the purview of a PA are acting as a liaison, handling filing and records, or conducting research.
- Managing the employer’s private office
- Diary management, arranging meetings, agendas, press and interview requests
- Organising personal and business trips (travel, accommodation, cars, documentation)
- Organising business and social events
- Supervising property portfolios, recruitment procedures, teams of household staff and other employees
- Organising all important documentation, maintaining it up-to-date and readily accessible
- Project management and topical research
- Managing all correspondence
- Designing documents, presentations and reports
- Organising, participating and taking notes during meetings
- Acting as liaison between contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, local authorities etc.
- Managing accounts and budgets
Other miscellaneous activities that may fall under the purview of a PA are acting as a liaison, handling filing and records, or conducting research.
Where are the personal assistant employed?
Personal assistants are usually employed by corporations, business firms, or non-profits. Basically any organization with administrative officials, from the office of the President to any sufficiently large LLC.
A personal assistant may also be employed by a wealthy or prominent individual. In this case, the job may also include maintaining the individual’s life and home or employing and managing other staff.
The working hours for this personal assistant will vary according to the schedule of the manager.
The personal assistant may need to work a typical 9-5 schedule, and may also have additional night and weekend hours on top of that. PAs may also be asked to travel with the manager or to be available on call.
While there is no basic standard for a personal assistant’s working hours, the job may often require at least 40 plus working hours per week. A personal assistant should be open to having a very flexible schedule and be able to adapt to changes when necessary.
A personal assistant may also be employed by a wealthy or prominent individual. In this case, the job may also include maintaining the individual’s life and home or employing and managing other staff.
The working hours for this personal assistant will vary according to the schedule of the manager.
The personal assistant may need to work a typical 9-5 schedule, and may also have additional night and weekend hours on top of that. PAs may also be asked to travel with the manager or to be available on call.
While there is no basic standard for a personal assistant’s working hours, the job may often require at least 40 plus working hours per week. A personal assistant should be open to having a very flexible schedule and be able to adapt to changes when necessary.
What do personal assistants earn?
The wages of personal assistants range widely, depending on their experience and the employer or organization. The average hourly wage for PAs in the United States is 30 dollars. The personal assistants for A-list celebrities may earn up to 150,000 dollars annually.
Studies, Training and Experience Requirements
Due to the somewhat abstract profile of a personal assistant’s tasks, there isn’t any specific training or education required, especially when applying at low-level corporations. However, a bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications, or technology may be a prerequisite. There are also online secretarial courses that provide diplomas. As always, years of experience are a plus.
All our Personal Assistants are required to
- Hold clean criminal records in both their country of employment and country of origin
- Present all certificates and qualifications from training centres and/or schools they attended
- Successfully pass two interview stages
- Provide at least three positive references from previous employers
- Complete professional dossiers containing: CV, cover letter, proof of identity (photocopy or scan), proof of address, proof of the right to work in the country of employment (if applicable), driving license and pay slips from previous professional placements. Candidates should be aware that other documentation may also be required.
Morgan & Mallet International places and recruits personal assistants for temporary, seasonal, or permanent contracts. Our recruitment consultants are always available to answer your questions.
