Professional development: Books for PAs
Books for personal assistants: Professional development
Whether you're new to the personal assistant profession or a seasoned veteran, being steeped in the profession is very important. You may have read our post about TV shows and movies about personal assistants, so here are some reading resources for you.
Please be advised that these are NOT recommendations. They are a collection of books about personal assistants that are provided for you as a reference. We have NO affiliation to the authors, nor do we make a commission if you purchase any of the books.
Our experience about celebrity assistant books has been the following: Some are better than others, but even the bad ones have a gold nugget or two that can help you better understand the nuance of our PA industry. Happy reading!
Please be advised that these are NOT recommendations. They are a collection of books about personal assistants that are provided for you as a reference. We have NO affiliation to the authors, nor do we make a commission if you purchase any of the books.
Our experience about celebrity assistant books has been the following: Some are better than others, but even the bad ones have a gold nugget or two that can help you better understand the nuance of our PA industry. Happy reading!
Dream Careers: The Tutorial for Finding Elite Personal Assistant Jobs
This is the only free book on the list. Written by Brian Daniel, founder of The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network, it's the world's only interactive book about PAs. Brian gives us a glimpse into the fascinating world of working with celebrities and high-net-worth families by proving hundreds of interactive links that puts you right in the action in the day of an elite PA.
Be the Ultimate Assistant: A celebrity assistant's secrets to working with any high-powered employer
This book is available on Kindle and paperback. It's written by a celebrity personal assistant who worked for an Oscar winner for 30 years. It has 291 ratings on Amazon with a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Pricing starts as low as $2 for used copies. By far, this is the most popular book on Amazon in its category.
The summary on Amazon reads as follows:
The summary on Amazon reads as follows:
"5th Edition release date August, 2012 Foreword by Olympia Dukakis. A must-have insiders guide! In a global workplace changing by the minute, readers explore the gems of real life tools and advice for every professional assistant and their high-powered employers, wherever in the world they are. A first-hand look at the world of a celebrity assistant, and its application to the larger realm of all professional assistants."
The Definitive Personal Assistant & Secretarial Handbook: A Best Practice Guide for All Secretaries, PAs, Office Managers and Executive Assistants
This book is available on Kindle, paperback and hardback. It's written by an award-winning PA. It has 112 ratings on Amazon with a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Pricing starts as low as $12.
The summary on Amazon reads as follows:
The summary on Amazon reads as follows:
"This bestselling book is the only resource needed to excel in one's role as an assistant, outshine bosses' expectations and go up the ladder. Placing special emphasis on career development and learning, it provides help and advice on the skills necessary to progress in your career. Along with a chapter to share with your boss for a more fruitful working relationship, The Definitive Personal Assistant and Secretarial Handbook includes help with time management, networking, relationship management, communication and confidence."
How to be a PA: A practical guide to becoming a super-efficient Personal Assistant
This book is available on Kindle, paperback and hardback. It's written by an experienced assistant to a CEO. It has 82 ratings on Amazon with a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Pricing starts as low as $4.
The summary on Amazon reads as follows:
The summary on Amazon reads as follows:
"#1 Best-seller in the UK, its THE learning and development resource for Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants, Administrative Assistants and Office Support Professionals. An essential 'go to' guide packed with information on how to do the job effectively and beat your competitors to the top positions."
Chore Whore: Adventures of a Celebrity Personal Assistant
This book is available on Kindle, paperback and hardback. Be advised that this is a fictionalized story of a personal assistant. It has 72 ratings on Amazon with a 4.0 out of 5 stars. Pricing starts as low as $6.
The summary on Amazon reads as follows:
The summary on Amazon reads as follows:
"For Corki, mundane tasks have suddenly morphed into the surreal, and when her ten-year-old-son starts exhibiting some very strange habits, the need for change becomes clear. Using her wits and talents learned from years of mothering self-centered stars, Corki devises a plan of escape -- to save herself, her family, and, ultimately, her sanity."
How to Become a Celebrity Assistant: Your Inside Source
This book is available on Kindle only. This book is a real account of the author's experience working for Hollywood stars. It has 4 ratings on Amazon with a 5.0 out of 5 stars. Pricing starts as low as $5.
The summary on Amazon reads as follows:
The summary on Amazon reads as follows:
"Are you ready to be a celebrity Personal Assistant but not sure where to start? Do you want to know how to prepare for an interview with an entertainer and what questions to ask? Would you like to learn more about the entertainment industry? Then get ready for 'How to Be a Celebrity Assistant: The Inside Source by Lindsey Holder.'"
The Devil Wears Prada
This book is available on all formats. "The Devil Wears Prada" was written by the former assistant to fashion legend Anna Wintour, and it was also made into a hit movie. It has more than 2,000 ratings on Amazon with a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Pricing starts as low as $1 for used copies.
The summary on Amazon reads as follows:
The summary on Amazon reads as follows:
"Andrea Sachs, a small-town girl fresh out of college, lands the job “a million girls would die for.” Hired as the assistant to Miranda Priestly, the high-profile, fabulously successful editor of Runway magazine, Andrea finds herself in an office that shouts Prada!"