Managing Your Personal Assistant Career
PA tips: How not to be stressed
When assistants work for celebrities, high-net-worth families, or high-profile executives, getting stressed under pressure is inevitable. Many assistants don't take the time to relax at work because of fear that some important duty will be missed or neglected.
The obvious first step is to take something off your plate and delegate it to a subordinate assistant. If you work alone as an executive assistant and you don't have the option to have someone help, then don't fret because there are small things you can do to stay healthy so that you can be on top of your game:
The obvious first step is to take something off your plate and delegate it to a subordinate assistant. If you work alone as an executive assistant and you don't have the option to have someone help, then don't fret because there are small things you can do to stay healthy so that you can be on top of your game:
Get Exercise
Staying fit isn't just for the body; it's for the mind, too. It's scientifically proven that exercise releases endorphins, nourishing your brain and body with the vital energy it needs. If you're a super-busy executive assistant and need more time to go to the gym, stop by your local store and get some small hand weights you can use when sitting at your desk. Also, get one of those exercise balls to sit on instead of your chair. This forces your core muscles in your back and stomach to balance your body, thus burning calories.
Eat well
Of course, eating healthy is easier said than done. Personal assistants working for busy executives usually work 10- to 12-hour days and don't normally have time to stop at a healthy restaurant, let alone prepare a nutritious meal. If you're in a bind and need your nutrition, then ensure you have energy bars. Do your homework and ensure you don't get any bars packed with too much sugar because then you're defeating the purpose of supplementing your diet with vitamins. Also, if you must stop at a fast-food outlet, ensure you get a healthy option like a sub sandwich or salad.
Take YOU time
A personal assistant's work is never done -- ever. So, working 12-hour days without taking a break doesn't help you or your boss. If you work yourself to the bone without taking some quiet time to de-stress, you'll likely get sick and miss work. If you find yourself anxious or too stressed out, listen to your favorite song and find a corner to stretch for 5 or 10 minutes. This will get your blood flowing and help you get energized. In needed, assign some tasks to other domestic staffing workers to take some duties off your plate.
Stay away from energy drinks
Personal assistants have become too reliant on energy drinks. Dozens of articles support the idea that they are bad for your health. Not only that, getting wound up on too much caffeine and vitamin B is going to cause you to crash -- then you're actually going backward. Instead, drink plenty of water and find an excuse to walk around the property with the estate manager to get your blood flowing.
Mistakes to Avoid When Asking for a Pay Raise
In this challenging job market, it can be hard to ask for a raise because so many assistants are just happy to have a job, so if you're going to ask for more money, then be sure to embrace the following:
Know the market rate for your position
Many candidates are entirely unaware of the "going rate" for their position. While it's true that the personal assistant profession can vary wildly, there are many factors to consider: your duties and responsibilities, the number of hours required each week (are you on-call 24/7?), and your length of time on the job. Don't just throw a six-figure number at your boss because that's what you think you're worth, and don't gauge your pay based on something you read in a blog.
Know How Much You Contribute
Once you've done your homework and feel confident that you know the going rate for positions in your city, you should do some careful calculations and understand your value to the organization. Just because other executive assistants in your field make $120,000 a year doesn't mean you should -- if you can't justify it. Showing ways to quantify your company contributions is a powerful negotiation tool when sitting down with your boss to discuss a salary increase.
Don’t Procrastinate or Be Afraid
Many assistants (executive, personal, administrative) never get raises because they don't ask. If you're waiting for your employer to step forward and volunteer more money because "it's the right thing to do," then you'll likely wait until the end of eternity.
Some candidates fear asking for a raise so much that they'd instead find a new job (that pays more) instead of just asking for more money at their current job. Take the plunge and be brave. Practice your pitch at home with a friend. If you go into a meeting very well-rehearsed, it can make a difference in obtaining your objective.
Some candidates fear asking for a raise so much that they'd instead find a new job (that pays more) instead of just asking for more money at their current job. Take the plunge and be brave. Practice your pitch at home with a friend. If you go into a meeting very well-rehearsed, it can make a difference in obtaining your objective.
How Social Media Can Destroy Your Career
For years, we've been hearing about "fired over Facebook" stories, yet an overwhelming number of candidates continue to ruin their careers by representing themselves poorly online -- this goes for men and women of all ages and career stages.
Suppose personal assistants and executive PAs hope to advance their careers. In that case, extreme caution must be embraced when managing one's image online. It seems exceptionally ridiculous that applicants say they have "attention to detail" when they engage in such destructive, career-ending behavior.
The Reppler Company conducted a survey of human resource professionals from various fields and published some alarming statistics -- namely that 91% of recruiters will check candidates' online presence at some point during the screening process.
Just some of the situations that recruiters see include:
While the internet can harm one's career, social media can also benefit a job search — if used properly. Using social media to land a job helps candidates tap into the hidden job market. If, for example, an executive personal assistant wants to work for a celebrity or high-profile celebrity, then LinkedIn will be a powerful tool because the best jobs usually aren't posted online. And if they are, then candidates will have to compete with hundreds of other applicants for the same position.
Suppose personal assistants and executive PAs hope to advance their careers. In that case, extreme caution must be embraced when managing one's image online. It seems exceptionally ridiculous that applicants say they have "attention to detail" when they engage in such destructive, career-ending behavior.
The Reppler Company conducted a survey of human resource professionals from various fields and published some alarming statistics -- namely that 91% of recruiters will check candidates' online presence at some point during the screening process.
Just some of the situations that recruiters see include:
- Social media updates saying you're hungover or hate your job/boss
- Ridiculous profile handles with racy or immature content
- Emphatic political rants (with or without profanity)
- Gossipy or pop culture updates about your favorite or most-hated star
While the internet can harm one's career, social media can also benefit a job search — if used properly. Using social media to land a job helps candidates tap into the hidden job market. If, for example, an executive personal assistant wants to work for a celebrity or high-profile celebrity, then LinkedIn will be a powerful tool because the best jobs usually aren't posted online. And if they are, then candidates will have to compete with hundreds of other applicants for the same position.
How to Avoid Derailing Your Career
Bad social media posts aren't the only way to hurt yourself at work. As executive personal assistants, we've all had less-than-ideal jobs that we'd soon like to forget, like working for a cranky boss or being surrounded by backstabbers and sycophants. Sometimes, work-related stress can get to us, and occasionally, we might lash out in a way we won't soon forget.
Always practice emotional intelligence and not do anything that could setback your career. Here is a list of practices assistants should avoid at all costs.
Always practice emotional intelligence and not do anything that could setback your career. Here is a list of practices assistants should avoid at all costs.
Not supporting your coworkers
Don't act petty and not support colleagues just because you don't like how they behave. Maybe they don't deserve the help but remember that only one thing matters at work: supporting the celebrity or high-net-worth individual you work for. Karma will probably catch up with your mean coworker, and they will get their comeuppance, but it's not your job to dish it out.
Not keeping your word
Personal assistants need to be true to their word. If you've made a personal or professional commitment to do something, stick to it and don't make excuses about why you couldn't do something. "I'm busy" just doesn't cut it because everyone else is busy too. If you're unsure whether you can do something by a specific deadline, give yourself a window to leave a little cushion in case you can't deliver on time.
Being impatient with your boss
Celebrities, billionaires, and high-profile executives can have very demanding personalities. They can be pretty eccentric. But that's no reason for executive assistants to lose their cool. Avoid playing any game in which you must prove to your boss they are wrong (even if they are).
Being unprofessional around coworkers
Sometimes, personal assistants become too comfortable at work and start picking up bad habits like bad-mouthing colleagues, being late, missing deadlines, or ranting in emails. Never become too cozy because your overconfidence is a career killer.
If you're telling friends or coworkers that "this place would shut down without me," then you're living in a delusional state. Rest assured, no matter how talented, influential, and hardworking you are, the company won't close if you're not there -- they can live without you! Suppose you make too many mistakes at work and do get yourself fired by your celebrity boss. In that case, you're sure not to get a valuable recommendation for the next job.
If you're telling friends or coworkers that "this place would shut down without me," then you're living in a delusional state. Rest assured, no matter how talented, influential, and hardworking you are, the company won't close if you're not there -- they can live without you! Suppose you make too many mistakes at work and do get yourself fired by your celebrity boss. In that case, you're sure not to get a valuable recommendation for the next job.
