What does a Personal Assistant do?
A personal assistant is often appointed to assist a single personnel within the organization. The duties and tasks of a personal assistant will vary depending on the requirements of the employer. These include answering phone calls, recording notes and messages received, scheduling meetings, reserving venues, arranging travel arrangements and many more. The typical career progression for personal assistants is of an executive personal assistant role.
Although a high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum educational requirement to be a personal assistant, the majority of employers prefer candidates that possess a certificate from a secretarial school. Proven experience working as a personal assistant is also often required followed by a high proficiency in computer technology and excellent communication skills. Good candidates will also display strong multitasking abilities and organizational skills.
- Answer phone calls received and direct them appropriately
- Record notes and messages for the employer
- Schedule and arrange meetings and conferences
- Manage travel arrangements and itineraries on behalf of the employer
- Perform as a liaison between the employer and household staff as required
- Act as the first point of contact for the employer as necessary
- Manage the employer's calendar and appointment scheduling
- Read and write correspondence in mail or email form
- A certificate from a secretarial school preferred
- Proven experience working as a personal assistant required
- Proficient in computer technology especially Microsoft Office applications
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong customer service and social skills
- Exceptional organizational and time-management skills
- Follows instructions clearly and accurately within a timely fashion
- Proactive and enthusiastic about delivering positive results
- Able to sit, walk, stand for long hours at a time
Personal Assistant Salaries
Average Base Pay
Personal Assistant Career Path
Learn how to become a Personal Assistant, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Personal Assistant Insights
Accra“The pay is fair and the interactions I have had with others within the company have all been great.”
Loblaw Companies“Working with many passionate and friendly colleagues is the best part become a personal shopper.”
Hammoq Infosystems“such a good and load free company best for freshers as well as experienced person.”
MiPa“I was given my first client on my second day at work despite not finishing my ‘training’ which was very rushed and stressful.”
Shipt“When your rating stays at 5 stars they give you really good orders and you make really good money.”
“I love all my clients and Ashley is the best boss I could have asked for.”
“It is a good place to grow and develop your skills as well as your career.”
V1 Marketing and Training“Training was good and they made sure you get all the needed info before you get a client.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of personal assistants
A personal assistant, also called a personal secretary or personal aide, provides direct assistance to one or more people with personal or professional tasks. A typical day as a personal assistant can include a range of daily duties, such as managing schedules, arranging travel, taking notes, answering the phone, and producing documents.
Personal assistants often manage an array of tasks for the person they support, which makes the job more interesting. One of the best things about being a personal assistant is the ability to accommodate the needs of another person, which can provide the assistant with personal and professional fulfillment and satisfaction.
The average base salary for a personal assistant is $2,633 per year. Personal assistants to established and successful individuals often earn much more as they can afford to pay their assistants more. In exchange for a higher rate of pay, a personal assistant may handle more complex or challenging tasks.
Just like any other role, working as a personal assistant has its downsides. The role often involves handling potentially mundane or challenging tasks for another person. Work-life balance can be difficult in this role, especially when assisting someone who has a lot of personal needs outside of normal business hours.