How to hire a personal assistant
There is a right way to hire an assistant. Here at The Celebrity Personal Assistant Network, we coach our clients to understand the process of recruiting the perfect personal assistant. If you want your PA to stay long term, then consider the following:
Know what you want and need from a PA
Employers that want to hire an assistant need to articulate very clearly what they want and need. Having a robust job description will attract the right kind of candidate for your consideration.
All of the duties and responsibilities of your job description should be spelled out, and don't forget to state how many hours a week you expect the assistant to be there for you. Finally, the salary should be aggressive if you expect them to stay long term.
All of the duties and responsibilities of your job description should be spelled out, and don't forget to state how many hours a week you expect the assistant to be there for you. Finally, the salary should be aggressive if you expect them to stay long term.
The assistant should have relevant experience
Just because one personal assistant worked for a celebrity or high-net-worth family doesn't mean they are a "one-size-fits-all" candidate. Assistants can have a niche. Make sure that your PA knows and understands your vocation.
If, for example, the VIP that's going to hire the candidate is an investor on Wall Street. Ideally, the PA should have previous experience in the realm. Ideally, having a BA degree in something related to finance would be best.
If, for example, the VIP that's going to hire the candidate is an investor on Wall Street. Ideally, the PA should have previous experience in the realm. Ideally, having a BA degree in something related to finance would be best.
What is the communication style of the personal assistant?
All communicators aren't created equal. The perfect personal assistant should be like-minded to the CEO or VIP that they will serve. You will need to decide how and how often you like to communicate with your PA.
Some assistants, for example, like a lot of autonomy; but you may be someone who likes to constantly communicate with your subordinates each day. Decide where you stand, then hire the right candidate for the role.
Some assistants, for example, like a lot of autonomy; but you may be someone who likes to constantly communicate with your subordinates each day. Decide where you stand, then hire the right candidate for the role.
Evaluate soft skills in a PA
Hard skills are anything that can be quantified, like a typing speed. Soft skills, on the other hand, are much trickier. Having the right hard and soft skills in an assistant is important.
If you had an assistant in the past that was successful in the role, ask yourself why? Having the right temperament is important. If, for example, a candidate gets flustered easily, then they won't be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
If you had an assistant in the past that was successful in the role, ask yourself why? Having the right temperament is important. If, for example, a candidate gets flustered easily, then they won't be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
An assistant should have strong references
If you are interviewing a personal assistant and ask the candidate if they are a hard worker, they will undoubtedly say yes. Just because they say it doesn't make it true. Be sure to contact personal and professional references to check work habits.
Having a list of references that simply contain a list of names and numbers isn't sufficient. The "gold standard" for references would be to have them printed on company letterhead and signed in wet ink.
Having a list of references that simply contain a list of names and numbers isn't sufficient. The "gold standard" for references would be to have them printed on company letterhead and signed in wet ink.
Will the personal assistant be a cultural fit for your office?
Last, but certainly not least, is the cultural fit for your organization. On paper, everything might look great with the candidate, but hiring an assistant on a whim could be bad for your company. Make sure there is a cultural fit.
Again, this isn't easy to measure, but be sure to probe by asking the right questions. Don't just gloss over this part of the interview. A good amount of time should be spent asking about various scenarios that the PA might face.
Again, this isn't easy to measure, but be sure to probe by asking the right questions. Don't just gloss over this part of the interview. A good amount of time should be spent asking about various scenarios that the PA might face.
