You’ve always dreamt of being a personal assistant. You’ve imagined yourself working at the best company in the world, assisting the CEO, and getting paid millions for it.
But when you look at all those other people who do what you want to do, you feel like your dream job is just out of reach – either because of lack of time or lack of confidence.
The truth is that anyone can land their dream job if they’re willing to put in some effort and take some risks along the way!
Takeaways |
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Develop strong organizational and time management skills to excel as a personal assistant. |
Effective communication is essential in this role, both in written and verbal forms. |
Acquire proficiency in relevant computer software and tools commonly used in administrative tasks. |
Building a professional network can open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable support. |
Seek out internships, volunteering, or entry-level positions to gain practical experience as a personal assistant. |
Continuously update your skills and stay updated with industry trends to remain competitive. |
Showcase your problem-solving abilities and adaptability in various situations. |
Maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality in handling sensitive information. |
Take initiative and anticipate the needs of your employer to provide exceptional support. |
Demonstrate attention to detail in all aspects of your work, from organizing schedules to managing documents. |
Be Specific About What You Want To Do When You Grow Up
Define Your Goals
Before you start, it’s important to define the problem. This will help you make more effective plans and stay focused on what matters most in your life. Make sure you are clear on what you want to accomplish by setting specific and measurable goals that are realistic.
For some people, this might mean losing weight or eating healthier foods; for others, it may be saving money or buying a house. Whatever it is that’s keeping you up at night, think about how much time it would take (in months) for these things to happen if all went according to plan.
This will give you an idea of whether or not they’re realistic goals for someone who has limited experience with personal assistance jobs like yours
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Focus On Doing Something In Particular For At Least 2 Years
One of the most important things you can do to land your dream job is to focus on doing something in particular for at least 2 years.
This will allow you to get the experience you need to get the job you want, as well as put yourself in a position where others notice your work and recommend it.
The more highly recommended your work becomes, the more likely it is that someone will take notice and offer you a job but only if they know who you are!
Don’t Settle For Any Tasks, Or Your Feelings Will Change When You’re Getting Paid To Do Them
You don’t want to take on any tasks that you don’t feel confident doing or will be good at. If you are not qualified for a task or have no experience with it, then you might want to let your boss know that.
If he or she is still insistent on having it done, then consider taking some online courses or even just googling the subject.
You may also want to think about how much time this new task will take up in your schedule and whether it will interfere with other things that are important to you (ex: spending more time with family).
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Stop Thinking Of How Much Money You Want To Make As An Option
The biggest mistake people make when they’re looking for a career change is thinking of it as a financial decision.
While this may be true in some cases, it’s not always the case, and focusing on how much money you want to make can sometimes lead to poor decisions that don’t align with your values.
When considering your ideal career, there are five things to consider: what you love doing; what you’re good at doing; how happy the job makes you;
Whether or not it will fulfill any personal goals (like helping others) and how proud of the work that drives home at night would make you feel.
Find A Role That Has Always Fascinated You And Seek To Become It Later
The best way to find a job you’ll enjoy is by following your passion and interests, even if it seems unrelated to the present situation. For example, if you’re interested in music and want to work with an artist or producer, look for jobs at record labels.
Or if artsy is more your thing and working as an assistant at a gallery appeals to you, go for it! If nothing else, being passionate about what you do will help keep the job interesting day after day and who knows?
Your passion may even lead to opportunities down the road that wouldn’t have been possible without first landing the right position.
Think Like A CEO And Look At Your Business
The first step to landing your dream job as a personal assistant is to think like a CEO. This means taking control of your own business, which in this case is your brand.
Your “company” consists of everything that makes up who you are and what others perceive you to be: your reputation, skillset, personality traits, interests, and more.
Your brand is ultimately how you want yourself and others to view and perceive you. It’s important because this perception creates opportunities for success in both your professional life and personal life.
It can also help shape the way others interact with you based on their own experiences with other people who have similar brands (or lack thereof).
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Show People What A Great Personal Assistant Looks Like
As a personal assistant, it’s your job to make sure that your boss has everything they need to get their work done. But how do you show people what a great personal assistant looks like? You can start by being one.
First, be aware of what it takes to be a good personal assistant and make sure that you’re doing all of those things. This means knowing the ins and outs of your company, including who your boss reports to and what their daily tasks and responsibilities are.
It also means knowing how other departments operate within the company and having relationships with them as well. In short: know about every aspect of the business before applying for an opportunity as someone’s PA/EA!
Research The Industry, Companies, And Clients That You Wish To Work For
Researching the industry, companies, and clients that you wish to work for is an essential step in your application process. It will help you understand what they do, who they work with, and what they value.
You will also need to learn what their expectations are when looking for a personal assistant. These basic questions should be answered before you even think about applying:
- What does this company do?
- Who do they work with?
- What is their overall goal?
Network With The People Who Are Already Doing What You Want To Do
If you’re serious about landing a job as a personal assistant, there’s no better way to do it than by networking. If you don’t have connections in the industry, ask someone who does!
This might mean asking your trainer at the gym or calling up that guy who always asks if he can borrow your stapler at work. Who knows? He may be able to help you out!
Once you’ve identified someone who might be able to help, make sure you’ve got something of value to offer in return for their time and expertise. They’re going to want some kind of compensation for their advice so give them an incentive to meet with you (ideally money).
If they’re not interested in cash (or if they are), maybe offer up something else: tickets to their favorite sporting event; tickets for another concert;
Or even just a meal together over dinner where they can pass along some tips on how best to get hired as a PA…or even how to get promoted once hired!
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Keep A List Of Jobs That Could Be Related To Or Be Something Similar To What You Want To Do
To land your dream job as a personal assistant, you’ll need to have a list of jobs that could be related to or be something similar to what you want to do.
For example, if you want to work in fashion PR and don’t have much experience in the field yet, look for jobs that will allow you to learn more about it while building a network.
Or if all you know is that you love helping people with their social media presence (and have some experience with it), look for careers where those skills would be valued and where they can help grow your resume.
You Don’t Have To Be Perfect, Just Improve Incrementally
One of the most important pieces of advice I can give you is that you don’t have to be perfect to land your dream job as a personal assistant. It may be easier for you if you do not strive for perfection.
Instead, your goal is simply to improve incrementally over time. So if your friend has been doing this job for five years and knows how everything works, but she makes mistakes all the time because she doesn’t know much about computers or technology; then what would YOU do?
Would YOU make mistakes? Or would YOU just learn from her mistakes and improve on them?
That would be my strategy! That way when an opportunity came along where there was an opening in their department (or even better yet: yours).
Then they could recommend you with confidence because they already knew that there were times when they needed help with certain aspects of the job.
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Conclusion
Here you go! With these tips in mind, you’ll be on your way to landing a dream job as a personal assistant.
We hope this article has helped you understand what it takes to be a successful PA, as well as given some valuable advice for finding and applying for jobs with the best companies out there. Good luck with your journey!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources and guides that you may find helpful:
How to Land Your Dream Job as a Personal Assistant: Learn about the essential skills, qualifications, and tips for becoming a successful personal assistant in this comprehensive guide.
How to Become a Personal Assistant: A Step-by-Step Guide: This guide provides a step-by-step approach to becoming a personal assistant, covering everything from acquiring relevant skills to finding job opportunities in the field.
How to Become a Personal Assistant: Tips and Advice: Discover valuable tips and advice on how to become a personal assistant, including insights on education, skills, and career advancement.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about becoming a personal assistant:
What qualifications do I need to become a personal assistant?
To become a personal assistant, formal qualifications may vary depending on the employer and industry. However, having a high school diploma or equivalent is typically the minimum requirement. Some employers may prefer candidates with additional certifications or relevant coursework in areas such as office administration or business management.
What skills are important for a personal assistant?
Effective communication, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills are crucial for a personal assistant. Additionally, proficiency in computer software, multitasking abilities, adaptability, and attention to detail are highly valued in this role.
How can I gain experience as a personal assistant?
You can gain experience as a personal assistant through internships, entry-level administrative roles, or volunteering opportunities. Networking within your desired industry or seeking out mentorship can also provide valuable connections and hands-on experience.
What are the typical job responsibilities of a personal assistant?
Personal assistants often handle various administrative tasks, including managing calendars, organizing meetings and events, making travel arrangements, screening calls and emails, and maintaining files and records. They may also handle personal tasks for their employer, such as handling personal correspondence or managing household affairs.
How can I advance in my career as a personal assistant?
Advancement opportunities for personal assistants may include taking on higher-level administrative roles, such as executive assistant positions, or specializing in a specific industry or niche. Continuously updating your skills, networking, and seeking professional development opportunities can help you progress in your career as a personal assistant.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.