How to be a personal assistant (from someone who was one)
Every career field has it's pros and cons, ups and downs. Here is a guide to surviving and keeping personal assistant jobs to celebrities and high net worth families.
How to be a personal assistant
Brian Daniel, Headhunter to the Stars, tells you all his secrets for personal assistant jobs. Because of all his experience of working with celebrities and high-net-worth families, Daniel has valuable first-hand experience working with the world’s highest profile super elite.
In this ebook, Daniel has interactive hyperlinks which puts the reader right in the day and life of a celebrity personal assistant. This book, titled “Dream Careers: The Tutorial for Finding Elite Personal Assistant Jobs,” has photos and videos of life on the job.
This must have ebook is the world’s only interactive personal assistant book with hundreds of resources online. Some of the content includes how to shine in the interview, where to find the best personal assistant jobs, and how to approach high net worth families with tact and grace.
In this ebook, Daniel has interactive hyperlinks which puts the reader right in the day and life of a celebrity personal assistant. This book, titled “Dream Careers: The Tutorial for Finding Elite Personal Assistant Jobs,” has photos and videos of life on the job.
This must have ebook is the world’s only interactive personal assistant book with hundreds of resources online. Some of the content includes how to shine in the interview, where to find the best personal assistant jobs, and how to approach high net worth families with tact and grace.
How to Stay Relevant in Today’s Job Market
Staying relevant in today’s job market is easier than one would think. Even with the fierce competition for jobs, some small and easy things can be done to make yourself stand out.
You can start by taking a computer class at your local college (or even online). No matter how proficient you think you are in MS Office, I guarantee that there are many features you don’t know. Even if you are a “black-belt” in Word from previous incarnations of the program, the features have changed substantially over the years.
I often get résumés that are clearly created from an older version of Word. If you are still working on an older system, then you are operating in the past. Get updated to the newest version Windows and quit hanging onto the past. If you fall behind, then your competitors will pass you by.
Taking a computer class will also help you learn some advanced features for Excel and PowerPoint. Don’t be the one at work that gives shoddy presentations because you don’t know how to outperform your colleagues.
You can start by taking a computer class at your local college (or even online). No matter how proficient you think you are in MS Office, I guarantee that there are many features you don’t know. Even if you are a “black-belt” in Word from previous incarnations of the program, the features have changed substantially over the years.
I often get résumés that are clearly created from an older version of Word. If you are still working on an older system, then you are operating in the past. Get updated to the newest version Windows and quit hanging onto the past. If you fall behind, then your competitors will pass you by.
Taking a computer class will also help you learn some advanced features for Excel and PowerPoint. Don’t be the one at work that gives shoddy presentations because you don’t know how to outperform your colleagues.
How to Negotiate your Salary
By far, the trickiest part of the hiring process is negotiating your benefits package — especially in this dicey job market. There is an easy way to handle this situation without being confrontational, and at the same time keeping yourself from over- or under-bidding.
At some point during the interview process, the recruiter or HR manager is going to ask you about your desired salary. Some employers may ask what you made at your last employer, which is sometimes unfair because many prestigious jobs don’t pay a fair wage. Working as a celebrity personal assistant is just one example. You may be worth twice what you’re getting paid in those types of situations.
If the interviewer asks you what you want to get paid, just put things back in their lap and ask what the pay range is for the position. They usually won’t answer because they are trying to be as careful as you are. In that case, you may some something like this:
"I’m sure you’ll agree that a number of factors go into calculating a fair wage: hours to be worked each week, level of responsibility, and my experience level. Right now I’m not concerned about salary because I’m confident we will come to an arrangement that we can both live with. After all, I’m more concerned about the fit right now, not the pay. If you decide to move forward with a job offer, I will certainly consider that against my other offers and get back with you right away."
What you’ve done in this situation is simple and easy. You haven’t committed to a number, so you haven’t over- or under-bid your salary. Additionally, you’re putting the professional pressure on them to make you a reasonable offer — and soon. If the employer is keen on hiring you, they aren’t going to risk losing you to someone else.
NOTE: All job offers should be in writing and you certainly can counteroffer their proposal if you feel the salary is too low.
At some point during the interview process, the recruiter or HR manager is going to ask you about your desired salary. Some employers may ask what you made at your last employer, which is sometimes unfair because many prestigious jobs don’t pay a fair wage. Working as a celebrity personal assistant is just one example. You may be worth twice what you’re getting paid in those types of situations.
If the interviewer asks you what you want to get paid, just put things back in their lap and ask what the pay range is for the position. They usually won’t answer because they are trying to be as careful as you are. In that case, you may some something like this:
"I’m sure you’ll agree that a number of factors go into calculating a fair wage: hours to be worked each week, level of responsibility, and my experience level. Right now I’m not concerned about salary because I’m confident we will come to an arrangement that we can both live with. After all, I’m more concerned about the fit right now, not the pay. If you decide to move forward with a job offer, I will certainly consider that against my other offers and get back with you right away."
What you’ve done in this situation is simple and easy. You haven’t committed to a number, so you haven’t over- or under-bid your salary. Additionally, you’re putting the professional pressure on them to make you a reasonable offer — and soon. If the employer is keen on hiring you, they aren’t going to risk losing you to someone else.
NOTE: All job offers should be in writing and you certainly can counteroffer their proposal if you feel the salary is too low.
Personal Assistant Tips: Getting Your VIP Boss into a Nightclub
Does your boss like to show up to the world’s hottest nightclubs without a reservation? If you’re at a famous nightclub and they are packed, you may need as much as $500 just to get in — regardless of who your boss is. How many people are in your party, and the guy-girl ratio are also very important. If your boss likes to go out a lot, it’s always a good idea to have a professional relationship with the nightclub managers and owners. I’ve been in predicaments where even big money would not get me inside. In situations like that, I was able to get the owner or manager on the phone to instruct the bouncers to let me in. The lesson: plan ahead if and when possible.