How to become a personal assistant
If you've always wondered how to become a personal assistant, then you're in the right place. Our company founder, Brian Daniel, is a former celebrity personal assistant to A-listers, billionaires and royalty, so he knows the ins and outs of the industry.
Do personal assistant jobs have a good career path?
Personal assistant jobs have a great future
Yes, absolutely. As with any profession, starting with an entry-level position is often required; but you can get promoted to more advanced positions if you have great time management skills.
Many personal assistants go on to become superlative administrative professionals making very high salaries, especially if they have the right certifications. The most important thing for personal assistants to do is engage in professional development to gain important skills for the job.
Many personal assistants go on to become superlative administrative professionals making very high salaries, especially if they have the right certifications. The most important thing for personal assistants to do is engage in professional development to gain important skills for the job.
What personal assistant skills are needed for the industry?
Even if you don't have previous experience as a personal assistant, you probably already possess the hard skills and soft skills learned from your current job. When interviewing at a company who wants to employ personal assistants, then make like comparisons from your current position using the job description. Some of the duties and responsibilities will include:
It goes without saying that the personal assistant skills needed are much more extensive than those listed, but any personal assistant can count on a lot of business administration tasks like refining office systems for your employer.
- Administrative support: scheduling meetings and event planning
- Communication skills: phone calls and emails
- Travel arrangements: booking private jets and 5-star hotels
- Interpersonal skills: Daily responsibilities include managing domestic staff
It goes without saying that the personal assistant skills needed are much more extensive than those listed, but any personal assistant can count on a lot of business administration tasks like refining office systems for your employer.
Personal assistants should develop a professional network
Build your personal assistant network
Landing the perfect personal assistant job isn't going to happen overnight. In fact, about 85% of the best jobs in any industry exist in the "hidden job market," which means they are obtained through networking. Personal assistant jobs are no different.
You could, for example, join an international association for personal assistants so that you can network with other candidates in the field. By meeting the right people, you will get access to roles not posted on job boards.
You could, for example, join an international association for personal assistants so that you can network with other candidates in the field. By meeting the right people, you will get access to roles not posted on job boards.
How much money do personal assistants make?
The salaries for personal assistants vary depending on many factors. There are many considerations for calculating pay with personal assistant jobs. Some of the variables include:
The average salary for a personal assistant with a high school diploma is $50,000 on the low end. Personal assistants with a college degree and experience working for celebrities or billionaires would be $150,000 on the high end.
- Any specialized skills and certifications (like medical assistant experience for older employers)
- If a personal assistant has a bachelor's degree, that certainly increases the compensation
- Having specific personal assistant skills, like MS Office certification, is a big plus
- Becoming a personal assistant for top employers usually means free accommodation in a mansion
- Having executive assistant experience also increases the pay scale
The average salary for a personal assistant with a high school diploma is $50,000 on the low end. Personal assistants with a college degree and experience working for celebrities or billionaires would be $150,000 on the high end.
How to become a celebrity assistant
Life as a celebrity personal assistant
If you live in a major city, then becoming a "celebrity assistant" may be an option. It's important to know that celebrities are just movie stars; they take all kinds of forms: professional athletes, book authors, high-profile CEOs, and industry titans.
If the personal assistant job is in a specific field, then having a bachelor's degree in the field is recommended, but it's not a deal breaker. The most important consideration for becoming a celebrity PA is being able to accomplish your day-to-day tasks with flawless professionalism.
If the personal assistant job is in a specific field, then having a bachelor's degree in the field is recommended, but it's not a deal breaker. The most important consideration for becoming a celebrity PA is being able to accomplish your day-to-day tasks with flawless professionalism.
How can I apply for personal assistant jobs through a staffing agency?
Getting PA jobs through a staffing agency will be difficult if you don't have prior experience. Certain skills need to be present for hiring managers to have confidence in you. Candidates should gain experience before approaching a staffing agency because the competition is stiff.
If you're going to approach a personal assistant agency for a job, then be prepared to demonstrate the following:
This list isn't exhaustive but should be used as a guide for understanding how personal assistants work in the industry.
If you're going to approach a personal assistant agency for a job, then be prepared to demonstrate the following:
- Know the personal assistant job market for your city
- Have a realistic career path mapped out (just explaining career progression isn't enough)
- Show that you have professional development like online courses in the field
- Have an outstanding cover letter and personal assistant resume ready
- Rehearse your answers so that they are second nature
- Be able to demonstrate how your existing skills can fit the needs of their clients
This list isn't exhaustive but should be used as a guide for understanding how personal assistants work in the industry.
How can I get my own clients as a personal assistant?
Build your PA clients
Becoming a personal assistant isn't easy at first because you must build up your clients. In fact, you may need to work several part-time jobs first.
Senior managers are usually cautious of hiring personal assistants who don't have deep experience. When looking at job boards, apply for the following positions:
It's not recommended to do PA jobs that work remotely. If you work independently doing simple tasks like conducting research in your own time, then employers won't be so impressed.
Senior managers are usually cautious of hiring personal assistants who don't have deep experience. When looking at job boards, apply for the following positions:
- Roles with administrative tasks like arranging meetings and sending marketing emails
- Jobs that require problem solving and administrative duties that are complex
- Challenging positions that show you can improve the daily lives of the employer
- Any position to run errands, especially of you are required to perform many tasks
It's not recommended to do PA jobs that work remotely. If you work independently doing simple tasks like conducting research in your own time, then employers won't be so impressed.
Final thoughts on how to become a personal assistant
You should consider getting some personal assistant coaching to get a better understanding of the career path. Learning from an expert like Brian Daniel will help grow your professional network and be able to land a role with a quality work environment.
Not all PA jobs have the flexibility to make your own schedule like a virtual assistant, so be aware of that. Know how to land a position that will bring you a lot of job satisfaction.
Not all PA jobs have the flexibility to make your own schedule like a virtual assistant, so be aware of that. Know how to land a position that will bring you a lot of job satisfaction.
Filed Under: How to become a personal assistant, business administration, research jobs in your spare time, communication skills, soft skills for personal assistants
