ADD ADVICE TO FAVPersonal assistant (PA)
Personal assistants provide administrative support to a senior manager or executive. They often act as a manager’s first point of contact with personnel inside and outside the organisation.
What personal assistants do
- screen telephone calls, e-mails and faxes and deal with them if they don’t need to be referred to another individual or department
- keep an appointments diary
- organise meetings
- arrange travel and accommodation
- take notes at meetings and assist during presentations
- take dictation for correspondence
- may deputise for the manager in their absence
- recruit junior staff and delegate work to them
- devise and maintain office systems to deal with the flow and storage of files and information.
Key skills
- discretion and confidentiality
- organisation
- communication skills, both written and verbal
- reliability
- initiative
- IT skills
- additional skills required vary across industries.
Training to become a PA
A degree in business or management may be useful, or a diploma in secretarial studies. Part-time courses in specific skills and full-time courses in general secretarial skills are available.
Most posts require two years’ experience, which may be gained while temping.
Salaries
Salaries start at around £15,000 to £19,000. Top positions in London can command salaries of £21,000 to £32,000. High flyers may earn around £45,000.
Skills such as shorthand or audio typing can boost salaries.
