A Personal Assistant is an important role in any office, offering direct support to senior management. If you’re looking to start a career in administration or office support roles, a Personal Assistant job could be for you. Here, we will explore what you can expect from a Personal Assistant role, how to apply, and what to put on your Personal Assistant CV.
What is a Personal Assistant?
A Personal Assistant, commonly abbreviated to PA, is someone hired to offer administrative, technical, and organisation support to individuals or groups of people within a business. This can include working solely for a senior manager or partner or working to support an entire team within an organisation – depending on your employment. As a Personal Assistant, your responsibilities will include diary management, travel arrangements, communication, meeting support, document organisation, and other clerical or administrative tasks.
To become a Personal Assistant, you don’t need any specific qualifications or education, however being organised, able to multitask, and have a good communication style is essential for the role. You will be required to complete various tasks on behalf of an individual, team, or the company, meaning that you will need a good level of verbal communication and patience. Some customer service experience can be useful here although it is not necessary for the role.
As an administrative role, you will likely be working the typical work hours Monday to Friday. However, it is worth checking your contract or the job description while applying as some Personal Assistants might be required to assist with evening or weekend work depending on your industry and employer.
How to Become a Personal Assistant?
Most Personal Assistant jobs are entry-level. You don’t need any specific qualifications, education, or prior experience to access this role. Instead, you should focus on developing the key skills necessary for your day-to-day including multitasking, communication, teamworking, organisation, and IT proficiency. Some prior work experience, such as customer service or other administrative work, can be useful when applying for these positions.
What to Put on a Personal Assistant CV
When applying for this role, you’ll want a specific Personal Assistant CV tailored to your experience and skills for the role. This should include any work experience you have and how it can help you perform as a Personal Assistant, as well as skills such as communication, customer service, multitasking, and organisation that can help you. IT proficiency is also important to highlighting any experience or courses that prove your abilities can be useful.
Similar Jobs to Personal Assistant
Searching for your first role in administration or to develop an office-based career? There are plenty of job opportunities across the UK. Some similar jobs to Personal Assistant include Office Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant, Office Manager, and Virtual Assistant. Each of these roles require the same core skills including communication, multitasking, and IT proficiency to support the administrative and organisational efforts of your individuals and teams.
Other Jobs in Office
The office and corporate sectors are popular places of work for many jobseekers, offering a range of work opportunities across the UK. Whether you’re looking for your first step in the workplace or to develop a strong career in administration, there are various roles within an office that might suit you. Some other jobs in the office sector include Office Manager, Call Handler, Customer Service Advisor, or Receptionist. Each of these roles requires good communication, multitasking, and organisational skills for their day-to-day work. From these roles, you can develop a strong administrative or office-based career with working hours that suit you – whether temporary or permanent.
Apply for Personal Assistant Jobs Near You
Due to the popularity of the office sector, there are various work opportunities available all around the UK. This makes it easier for you to find Personal Assistant jobs near you. By finding work in your local area, you can support local businesses while gaining an insight into the industry and developing your career and networking within the corporate world.
Personal Assistant Job Description FAQ
Is a Personal Assistant a Good Career Choice?
Yes, a Personal Assistant job is a good career choice for anyone looking to start their career in the corporate and office workplace. These roles are often entry-level, providing you with the experience and networking required to advance in your career and develop key skills.
What Skills Does a Personal Assistant Need?
While you don’t need any specific qualifications or degrees to become a Personal Assistant, some skills that can help include:
- Organisation
- Multitasking
- Communication
- Teamwork
- IT proficiency
What Are the Biggest Challenges of Being a Personal Assistant?
One of the biggest challenges you will face as a Personal Assistant is tight deadlines with multiple tasks. The demands of a Personal Assistant often include timely tasks that often overlap. This means that it is important that you know how to prioritise, organise, and manage your time accurately.
What Personal Qualities Make a Great Personal Assistant?
To succeed as a Personal Assistant, some personal qualities you need include:
- Self-driven
- Highly organised and logical
- Calm under pressure
- A fast learner
