Employer’s frequently asked questions for hiring staff through an agency
Employers that have never worked with an agency or headhunter, understandably, have many questions about the process. Because of the high-volume of questions we receive, here is a list of the most queried topics to get you started.
Could you define personal assistant?
Yes, because it is a very broad term. A personal assistant is someone who assists employers with personal and professional needs. When we use the phrase "personal assistant," we are talking about a PA, executive assistant, estate manager, administrative assistant, or household manager.
Are you an employment agency?
No, we are not. We are retained, on-demand recruiters (aka "headhunters").
What is the difference between a retained-search firm like yours and a regular employment agency?
Retained search firms are specialists and offer more personalized service. Because our founder has worked with celebrities, billionaires and royalty as an Executive Personal Assistant and Estate Manager, he understands the special characteristics and temperament needed to be successful in the role. His screening process is unmatched in the industry. Initial interviews can take 3 to 5 hours — and that’s just to determine if the candidate is worthy of being represented by the firm. The process of re-interviewing starts again BEFORE a candidate is submitted to a job.
At other high-volume agencies, interns and part-timers may initially screen a candidate for only 30 minutes before deciding to send them out on interviews, and no re-interviewing takes place at all. In fact, at high-volume employment agencies it’s common for agents to submit candidates for jobs when they have never actually even met the person being introduced to the employer (the candidate was already in the computer).
Regular “Jack of all trades” staffing agencies try to be all things to all people. In addition to “celebrity assistants” they also have dog walkers, birthday clowns, magicians, etc; so it’s common to have 20,000 candidates in their database. In short, most employment agencies are just commission factories and the service is impersonal for both the candidates and the clients.
In our case, we can actually charge less money than other employment agencies and offer better service (and of course better candidates).
At other high-volume agencies, interns and part-timers may initially screen a candidate for only 30 minutes before deciding to send them out on interviews, and no re-interviewing takes place at all. In fact, at high-volume employment agencies it’s common for agents to submit candidates for jobs when they have never actually even met the person being introduced to the employer (the candidate was already in the computer).
Regular “Jack of all trades” staffing agencies try to be all things to all people. In addition to “celebrity assistants” they also have dog walkers, birthday clowns, magicians, etc; so it’s common to have 20,000 candidates in their database. In short, most employment agencies are just commission factories and the service is impersonal for both the candidates and the clients.
In our case, we can actually charge less money than other employment agencies and offer better service (and of course better candidates).
What positions do you place?
We specialize in Executive Personal Assistants in both domestic and corporate environments, mostly in the United States. We also recruit for a number of hybrid positions, many of which include Estate Management and Lifestyle Management duties. Last but certainly not least, we also make placements in Private Family Offices.
Send us an inquiry and we can determine if Brian Daniel is the right headhunter for you. We don't recruit nannies per se because we are not a nanny agency, but we do headhunting for personal assistant-nanny hybrid positions. Many of the PAs that we have placed in the past have worked in a nanny capacity and/or have specialized training/education in the domain.
Send us an inquiry and we can determine if Brian Daniel is the right headhunter for you. We don't recruit nannies per se because we are not a nanny agency, but we do headhunting for personal assistant-nanny hybrid positions. Many of the PAs that we have placed in the past have worked in a nanny capacity and/or have specialized training/education in the domain.
How much does it cost to get an assistant through The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network?
That is somewhat of a trick question. The full-time candidates’ salaries can range from $60,000 a year all the way up to $150,000+. It all depends on a number of factors, which include but are not limited to:
If, for example, an employer wants a world-class personal assistant that has worked with the best of the best employers (and they will be on call 24/7/365 while constantly working under tremendous pressure and break-neck deadlines) then that is what we call “combat pay” in the business–-and those assistants are going to command hefty salaries.
We also represent ultra-high-range assistants that act in a “business management” capacity. For example, we have one candidate that works for a top-100 Forbes list billionaire. She has a master’s degree and manages many aspects of the billionaire’s business. That assistant makes about $250,000 a year plus amazing benefits. Again, you tell us what you want and we will get started.
You can read more about our SALARY GUIDE here.
- Overall level of responsibility
- Number of hours to be worked each week
- Amount of travel required
- Education and experience level
- Number of subordinates (other assistants, housekeepers, nannies, etc.)
- Will they be managing multiple estates and private jets?
- Will they wear EA and PA hats?
- Will they be expected to be on call 24/7/365?
If, for example, an employer wants a world-class personal assistant that has worked with the best of the best employers (and they will be on call 24/7/365 while constantly working under tremendous pressure and break-neck deadlines) then that is what we call “combat pay” in the business–-and those assistants are going to command hefty salaries.
We also represent ultra-high-range assistants that act in a “business management” capacity. For example, we have one candidate that works for a top-100 Forbes list billionaire. She has a master’s degree and manages many aspects of the billionaire’s business. That assistant makes about $250,000 a year plus amazing benefits. Again, you tell us what you want and we will get started.
You can read more about our SALARY GUIDE here.
I don't know how much I want to pay the assistant. Can we just get started with the interview process anyway?
We don’t start the process unless we have a complete job description and a salary range. We will help you refine the JD and salary specifics, but we can’t start the process until we know what your expectations and parameters are. The policy in place is designed to save the employer time; and that’s why our success rate is so high, because no energy is spent interviewing candidates that aren’t a fit.
Additionally, experienced assistants in-the-know are usually reluctant to interview with an employer unless there is a job description and salary range because some employers dramatically low-ball candidates (which is sometimes the case with job descriptions that say DOE). Nobody -- candidates, employers, or recruiters -- want to go through an arduous weeks-long interview process only to find out at the end that the candidate's and employer's expectations are too far apart. When a JD and salary range are on the table from the beginning, more unknowns are off the table, so everybody wins.
The single most important piece of advice that we can give employers is that they need to be realistic about what they expect for the salary that they are willing to pay. Being humble is important before, during and after the process because that attracts the best of the best candidates.
The professionals that we represent have world-class experience and have worked with celebrities, CEOs, Heads of State, ultra-high net worth families, billionaires and royalty. Assistants at the top of their game are like professional athletes and they are in-demand. So approaching them with a solid plan, robust job description, and competitive salary is critical for success.
A movie producer would not go to an A-list movie star's agent and offer them a co-starring role for half of what they normally work for, and with don't do that either.
You can see an example of an in-depth JOB DESCRIPTION here.
Additionally, experienced assistants in-the-know are usually reluctant to interview with an employer unless there is a job description and salary range because some employers dramatically low-ball candidates (which is sometimes the case with job descriptions that say DOE). Nobody -- candidates, employers, or recruiters -- want to go through an arduous weeks-long interview process only to find out at the end that the candidate's and employer's expectations are too far apart. When a JD and salary range are on the table from the beginning, more unknowns are off the table, so everybody wins.
The single most important piece of advice that we can give employers is that they need to be realistic about what they expect for the salary that they are willing to pay. Being humble is important before, during and after the process because that attracts the best of the best candidates.
The professionals that we represent have world-class experience and have worked with celebrities, CEOs, Heads of State, ultra-high net worth families, billionaires and royalty. Assistants at the top of their game are like professional athletes and they are in-demand. So approaching them with a solid plan, robust job description, and competitive salary is critical for success.
A movie producer would not go to an A-list movie star's agent and offer them a co-starring role for half of what they normally work for, and with don't do that either.
You can see an example of an in-depth JOB DESCRIPTION here.
What kinds of employers do you work with?
We work with virtually every kind of employer under the sun. Our hire agreement has a confidentiality clause built in, so we don’t reveal our clients’ names; but some of the areas/industries include but are not limited to:
- CEOs of national and multinational corporations
- Movie/TV actors, producers, directors, and executives
- Finance, hedge fund managers & venture capital firms
- Musicians and rock stars
- High-profile book authors and journalists
- Sports figures and team owners
- Politicians, diplomats and state departments
- Real estate moguls
- Successful entrepreneurs
- High net worth families
- Ultra-high net worth families and billionaires
- And other successful business owners
Do you have temps, hourly, on-call or part-time candidates?
No. The high-profile candidates that we work with are either currently employed full-time or are seeking full-time employment. For the most part, candidates who work temp assignments or do part-time gigs are beginners, and we only represent the more experienced candidates in the field. The one very small exception we do make is for current clients who have already made a placement. During awards season in Hollywood, for example, many subordinate personal assistants are needed to help with the extra workload. In cases like that, we can provide additional support to our clients when they need it.
What are the advantages of working with a boutique company like yours?
There are many benefits, but here are some of the most important ones:
WORK WITH THE BEST: Clients work with our Founder 100% of the time, so you won’t be dealing with college interns, part-timers or sales reps like at other employment agencies (It’s common industry practice for agency owners to hire sales reps who pose as HR professionals).
EXTENDED HOURS: As exclusive headhunters, we offer concierge service so you can reach us "after hours" and even on weekends.
HANDS ON SERVICE: High-volume operations simply can’t take the time to get to know their clients. We limit the number of placements we do each month so we can actually get to know our clients and candidates. That way a great match can be made.
SUBJECT-MATTER EXPERTS: The depth and breadth of our knowledge in the industry allows us to be efficient in our placement process, so we can charge less money and offer better service than other companies.
TRUSTED ADVISERS: Because we don’t work on a commission-only business model, we won’t make a placement simply to maximize our profit.
STRONG ETHICS: High-volume “Jack of all trades” employment agencies are known for poaching candidates back so that they can score more commissions. We have a firm policy which prevents us from engaging in that rampant behavior the broader industry embraces.
ABOVEBOARD POLICIES: We actually tell you what you need to know, not what you want to hear. In short, no sycophants here.
TRANSPARENT PROCESS: Again, because we’re not driven for commissions, we don’t coach our candidates to say what you want to hear. We have found this practice benefits all parties in the long-term.
FLEXIBILITY: We have a much higher level of control during our placement process, and the ability to be flexible when changes need to be made.
VOW OF SECRECY: We are well-known for our discretion. Large operations have dozens of employees and it’s virtually impossible to keep client secrets a secret. We regularly turn down opportunities to be in pop culture magazines and television shows that want us to gossip or drop names. Additionally, our hire agreement includes a confidentiality clause which protects your identity.
CLIENT SECURITY: By going through a firm like ours, private employers not only save themselves time and money, but are insulated from the dangers of taking out ads on the internet.
WORK WITH THE BEST: Clients work with our Founder 100% of the time, so you won’t be dealing with college interns, part-timers or sales reps like at other employment agencies (It’s common industry practice for agency owners to hire sales reps who pose as HR professionals).
EXTENDED HOURS: As exclusive headhunters, we offer concierge service so you can reach us "after hours" and even on weekends.
HANDS ON SERVICE: High-volume operations simply can’t take the time to get to know their clients. We limit the number of placements we do each month so we can actually get to know our clients and candidates. That way a great match can be made.
SUBJECT-MATTER EXPERTS: The depth and breadth of our knowledge in the industry allows us to be efficient in our placement process, so we can charge less money and offer better service than other companies.
TRUSTED ADVISERS: Because we don’t work on a commission-only business model, we won’t make a placement simply to maximize our profit.
STRONG ETHICS: High-volume “Jack of all trades” employment agencies are known for poaching candidates back so that they can score more commissions. We have a firm policy which prevents us from engaging in that rampant behavior the broader industry embraces.
ABOVEBOARD POLICIES: We actually tell you what you need to know, not what you want to hear. In short, no sycophants here.
TRANSPARENT PROCESS: Again, because we’re not driven for commissions, we don’t coach our candidates to say what you want to hear. We have found this practice benefits all parties in the long-term.
FLEXIBILITY: We have a much higher level of control during our placement process, and the ability to be flexible when changes need to be made.
VOW OF SECRECY: We are well-known for our discretion. Large operations have dozens of employees and it’s virtually impossible to keep client secrets a secret. We regularly turn down opportunities to be in pop culture magazines and television shows that want us to gossip or drop names. Additionally, our hire agreement includes a confidentiality clause which protects your identity.
CLIENT SECURITY: By going through a firm like ours, private employers not only save themselves time and money, but are insulated from the dangers of taking out ads on the internet.
We don't want to hire your firm for a placement, but we still need help. Are you available for consulting?
Yes. Brian Daniel is available to train your staff, write a job description, do a final interview, design or retool systems, create house manuals, etc. Send us a message and we can determine the next steps.
Which cities do you make placements in?
Because we specialize only in assistants, our business model allows us to make placements in any city worldwide. Most of our placements are made in major US cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, Washington DC, and Miami. Of course high-net-worth families reside in small towns as well, and we have clients in cities big and small. We also serve clients throughout the rest of North America, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
I've heard great things about your company. Why is your placement success so high?
Because we have a reputation that other assistants trust. We are effortlessly able to recruit the highest quality personal assistants — most of who would never deal with the typical high-volume “Jack of all trades” employment agencies (even domestic staffing agencies that supposedly cater to the stars). The truth is that most “celebrity staffing agencies” make their money from placing maids and nannies, and they don’t specialize in personal assistants or estate managers like we do. Regular staffing agencies make their money from temps. Additionally, most employment agencies take out fake employment ads throughout the year for two nefarious reasons:
In sum, the rampant and unethical policy the industry uses with fake job ads causes quality assistants to completely lose faith in employment agencies, so they stay away from them: “Once bitten, twice shy”. Conversely, we are known for our honesty and bring a great deal of dignity to the process — for both candidates and employers. Word travels fast in this industry and The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network is known as a “safe haven” for assistants because they are treated with utmost respect. Professional administrative organizations and associations across the United States are constantly sending their members to us, so we can tap into the nation’s hottest candidates — even if they aren’t actively seeking employment (passive candidates). Just like the best jobs exist in a “hidden job market,” the same is true for top-quality personal assistant candidates.
When employers hire us to find staff, most candidates are booked right through our existing network. If, by chance, we don’t have an assistant in our network that an employer wants, then we can easily branch out and recruit one — regardless of the city, big or small. Because we specialize in our field, The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network has become a prestigious brand.
- They try and “bait and switch” personal assistants into jobs they are overqualified for, all in an effort to score a commission. After visiting the agency, the classic canned response to the applicant is that “the job you came in for has just been placed, but he have this one instead” (that pays much less of course). That “bait and switch” process is typically managed by a sales team hired by the owner of the employment agency, not by qualified HR reps that care about giving clients quality service.
- The second reason agencies take out fake ads is because the agency uses that opportunity to introduce themselves to the candidates’ previous employers (all under the guise is “verifying former employment”). In actuality, they are just trying to expand their client base because they need the business. The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network gets 100% of its clients from referrals (or clients that approach us). We do no advertising or soliciting whatsoever.
In sum, the rampant and unethical policy the industry uses with fake job ads causes quality assistants to completely lose faith in employment agencies, so they stay away from them: “Once bitten, twice shy”. Conversely, we are known for our honesty and bring a great deal of dignity to the process — for both candidates and employers. Word travels fast in this industry and The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network is known as a “safe haven” for assistants because they are treated with utmost respect. Professional administrative organizations and associations across the United States are constantly sending their members to us, so we can tap into the nation’s hottest candidates — even if they aren’t actively seeking employment (passive candidates). Just like the best jobs exist in a “hidden job market,” the same is true for top-quality personal assistant candidates.
When employers hire us to find staff, most candidates are booked right through our existing network. If, by chance, we don’t have an assistant in our network that an employer wants, then we can easily branch out and recruit one — regardless of the city, big or small. Because we specialize in our field, The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network has become a prestigious brand.
Where are you located?
When we first opened in 2007, our headquarters was in Los Angeles; and we had satellite offices in San Francisco and New York City. Our main office now located in the Greater Chicago area because it's centrally located, which allows us to easily visit clients throughout the U.S. We use Chicago O'Hare airport to visit our overseas consulting clients. We are currently setting up satellite offices in Shanghai and Dubai.
Where do most of your candidates come from?
We get candidates from a number of sources, not just in our network. It's our job to leave no stone unturned when searching for the perfect candidate; so when needed, we use social media, partners, other job websites like LinkedIn, and word of mouth.
Do you offer background checks on the candidates?
Yes, we have an extensive list of options. The specifics will be discussed at the beginning of the process.
Could I learn a little more about Brian Daniel?
In addition to Brian's experience working for celebrities, billionaires and royalty, he has completed his BA degree in Linguistics (English) from California State University; and he has also completed his Master of Education degree at The University of New England, Maine in order to be an expert trainer. Brian has also taken many professional development courses at the world's top universities including Harvard, Oxford, Columbia and Berkeley.
We also encourage you to review our website, peruse our press, read our testimonials, and look at Brian's photos of life on the job as one of the world's top assistants. Less than a handful of people worldwide who place assistants also have the same kind of first-hand experience that Brian Daniel has.
We also encourage you to review our website, peruse our press, read our testimonials, and look at Brian's photos of life on the job as one of the world's top assistants. Less than a handful of people worldwide who place assistants also have the same kind of first-hand experience that Brian Daniel has.
Our Business Philosophy
We believe it’s impossible to maintain the type of personal and professional relationship required to serve a celebrity or high-net-worth family if a recruiter has nannies, personal trainers, private chefs, maids, drivers, security personnel, groundskeepers, tutors, dog walkers, butlers, birthday clowns, and personal assistants in a massive database.
Having tens-of-thousands of names in a database forces most agencies to hire temp employees and college interns just to keep up with the fast pace of the factory-like atmosphere. The turnover is usually very high in such environments, so establishing a solid rapport with clients and candidates is very rare indeed. How can an inexperienced employee properly interview and qualify a candidate when they have little or no real-world experience themselves? A cookie-cutter computer program usually aides them in this task.
As a headhunting company, we are changing the way elite Executive Personal Assistants are recruited in the United States and abroad. Our founder has worked with Hollywood A-list, millionaires, billionaires and even royalty, so the depth and breadth of his experience completely eclipses other personal assistant recruiters and headhunters in the industry at large.
Brian Daniel is intimately involved in every single aspect of the business, so candidates and clients only deal with an expert during every phase of the placement process. This hands-on philosophy ensures that only the very best candidates are placed by our network. Having a clean background, verifying employment, and checking references is not enough because that doesn’t make a good personal assistant.
In short, our very deep qualification process is unmatched anywhere in the personal assistant industry.
Having tens-of-thousands of names in a database forces most agencies to hire temp employees and college interns just to keep up with the fast pace of the factory-like atmosphere. The turnover is usually very high in such environments, so establishing a solid rapport with clients and candidates is very rare indeed. How can an inexperienced employee properly interview and qualify a candidate when they have little or no real-world experience themselves? A cookie-cutter computer program usually aides them in this task.
As a headhunting company, we are changing the way elite Executive Personal Assistants are recruited in the United States and abroad. Our founder has worked with Hollywood A-list, millionaires, billionaires and even royalty, so the depth and breadth of his experience completely eclipses other personal assistant recruiters and headhunters in the industry at large.
Brian Daniel is intimately involved in every single aspect of the business, so candidates and clients only deal with an expert during every phase of the placement process. This hands-on philosophy ensures that only the very best candidates are placed by our network. Having a clean background, verifying employment, and checking references is not enough because that doesn’t make a good personal assistant.
In short, our very deep qualification process is unmatched anywhere in the personal assistant industry.
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