How To Become An Assistant
As an aspiring assistant, there are several things you can do to prepare yourself for the role. First, it’s important to understand what an assistant does. Assistants are responsible for handling tasks that help their managers or executives get their work done. Assistants can work in a variety of industries from health care to retail and more.
The best way to become an assistant is by gaining experience in an entry-level position at a company where you are interested in working. This will allow you to learn about the industry and gain more knowledge about how businesses operate. It’s also important to take any classes or certifications related to your chosen field. Certifications will show employers that you are committed to learning new skills, which can make it easier for them to give you responsibilities and promotions later on down the road when they need someone with specific knowledge or skillset as part of their team.”
The most important thing you can do to become an assistant is to be organized. Being organized means being able to prioritize, multitask, and work under pressure.
Next, you should learn how to communicate effectively. It’s crucial that you can communicate with your boss in a way that they understand what you’re saying, and vice versa.
You’ll also need to learn how to manage your time effectively so that you can get everything done without sacrificing quality or speed.
How To Become An Assistant
Personal assistants are a vital part of many executives and other professionals’ work lives and are necessary for ensuring proper scheduling, organization and planning. A personal assistant is responsible for various administrative tasks that directly support an office or individual and can work in a business setting or remotely.
In this article, we explore what a personal assistant is and their duties, the average salary for personal assistants, how to pursue this career and frequently asked questions about a job as a personal assistant.
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What is a personal assistant?
A personal assistant, also known as a personal secretary or personal aide, is a professional who performs a variety of administrative duties for another professional or organization. Personal assistants may be responsible for personal tasks, business duties and other assignments that directly support a specific person.
There are a few different types of personal assistant, with the most common being:
- Real estate personal assistant: This type of personal assistant is one that assists a realtor or other real estate professional.
- Administrative personal assistant: This type of assistant most often works in an office setting and supports an employee or several employees within the organization.
- Celebrity personal assistant: A celebrity personal assistant is a professional who directly reports to a celebrity and performs various personal and business-related tasks.
- Executive personal assistant: This type of personal assistant provides services to an executive-level employee in a company.
- Personal concierge: This type of assistant is one that typically works on a part-time basis and runs errands or performs tasks for several people rather than being hired by and reporting to just one individual.
Personal assistants can work part time or full time and may work independently, as part of a personal assistant agency or as an employee of an organization. A personal assistant’s goal is to relieve stress related to their employer’s professional and/or personal life by performing various duties that reduce the employer’s overall daily responsibilities.
What does a personal assistant do?
A personal assistant will have various duties based on their specific employer. Common duties that personal assistants are responsible for include:
- Screening and answering phone calls and taking messages for the recipient
- Creating and overseeing office systems that include filing and managing data
- Performing various chores and errands for employers that may include shopping, ordering groceries, cleaning and preparing meals
- Greeting visitors
- Performing research related to an employer’s project or needs
- Scheduling meetings and appointments for the employer
- Responding to emails, letters and faxes on behalf of the employer
- Arranging travel plans and traveling with the employer when necessary to provide support and general assistance
- Overseeing accounting and budgeting tasks for an employer
- Preparing briefs, reports and documents for the employer or on behalf of the employer
Read more: Learn About Being a Personal Assistant
Average salary for personal assistants
The average annual salary for personal assistants in the United States is $39,722 per year. This salary can vary greatly depending on the professional’s place of employment, geographic location and experience.
For example, in New York, NY, personal assistants make an average annual income of $57,670, while those in Memphis, TN, make around $36,016 per year.
Common benefits that personal assistants enjoy include:
- Flexible schedules
- Free meals
- Health insurance
- The ability to work from home
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Referral programs
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Gym memberships
- Loan forgiveness programs
Related: 25 Types of Employee Benefits
How to become a personal assistant
The following are steps you can take to pursue a career as a personal assistant:
1. Obtain a high school diploma
This first step to becoming a personal assistant is to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent. This is typically the minimum requirement for most personal assistant positions. If you have not completed your high school diploma, a GED certificate will suffice in its place.
2. Pursue a bachelor’s degree
If you want to really set yourself apart in the world of personal assistants, consider pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or a related field. This type of degree will teach you several soft and hard skills, such as budgeting and office management, that will support your career as a personal assistant.
3. Hone your skills
There are many skills required to be a successful personal assistant. Some of the most important skills you should possess include trustworthiness, organization, communication skills, interpersonal skills, time management skills and flexibility. Take time to regularly practice these skills so that they become second nature to you.
4. Gain experience
Before you’re able to be considered for a full-time personal assistant role, you’ll likely need to gain some experience first to attract employers. Administrative positions are a great way to get hands-on assistant-related experience and will show hiring managers that you have the skills needed to be a personal assistant.
5. Take an online course or obtain certification
There are several available online courses for aspiring personal assistants that provide ample opportunity to learn about this career and the skills required to be successful in it. You can also obtain a Certified Administrative Professional certification through the International Association of Administrative Professionals or a related certification to set yourself apart from other candidates.
6. Apply for jobs
Once you’ve obtained the necessary experience, you can now begin applying for jobs as a personal assistant. If you are new to this career, it’s important not to give up when looking for jobs and to continue applying until you find a position that best suits your skills and interests.
Related: How To Get an Administrative Assistant Job Step by Step and Best Tips
Tips for becoming a personal assistant
Here are a few key tips to keep in mind when pursuing and participating in a career as a personal assistant:
Make soft skills a priority
While being a personal assistant does require some hard skills depending on your place of employment, most personal assistants must possess several soft skills regardless of where they work.
These soft skills include communication, problem-solving, customer service and attention-to-detail skills. Having these skills will support you throughout your career as a personal assistant and help you stand out among other applicants when applying for jobs.
Practice being proactive
Most employers who employ personal assistants look for employees who can meet their needs without being asked. For example, rather than wait for your employer to ask you to prepare a document that you know you’ll need to prepare eventually, you could have the document ready before the employer even asks.
This proactivity is highly sought after by employers and can help you land and hold a job as a personal assistant.
Be open to new tasks and roles
A personal assistant often plays many roles for an employer. The better able you are to remain flexible and open to new assignments the more likely you will grow in your position.
Don’t forget your own needs
Being a personal assistant often means tending to the every need of an employer, and it can be easy to lose yourself in this type of job and look over your own needs. While you should prioritize your employer’s needs while at work, you should also make your own needs and well-being a priority both during and after work hours to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
