what is a personal assistant?

A personal assistant provides administrative support to a manager, executive, or individual employer. However, unlike other administrative assistants, you also complete personal tasks on behalf of your employer. As a personal assistant, you focus on one individual and help them with their routines. Personal assistants act as the first point of contact with other employees and relay information from a manager to a team.

As a personal assistant, your role is to handle repetitive tasks so that an employer can focus on strategic duties. You deal with phone calls and respond to emails on behalf of a manager or other professional. You manage schedules and organize meetings and appointments to control access to executives and managers. Personal assistants also relay information and prioritize correspondence.

Personal assistants often work for a company but can also work for private individuals to help them organize their schedules. When you work for an individual, you plan their professional and personal routines. Your duties extend to maintaining your employer's personal life, including hiring cleaners and home employees and scheduling home maintenance.

Whether you work for an individual or a company, the role requires irregular work hours, depending on the level of support the manager or executive needs. Working as a personal assistant requires excellent time management and organizational skills.

Would working as a personal assistant suit your time management skills? Then, read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a personal assistant role.

view jobs near you
1

average personal assistant salary

The salary of a personal assistant ranges from about $23,000 to $80,000 per year. Entry-level positions pay a lower salary of $23,300 annually, while personal assistants with experience take home over $80,000 yearly. The average salary is over $50,000 per year. Apart from salaries, some employers provide benefits and allowances to incentivize workers.

factors affecting a personal assistant salary

Personal assistants' salaries depend on several factors, such as the industry, credentials, and work experience. You would probably earn more when you have experience working in a specific industry. For example, if you work in financial services, for law firms, or consultancy companies, your compensation package is higher due to the complexity of the role.

Your education, skills, and experience also influence your earnings. If you demonstrate the ability to alleviate administrative pressures and anticipate the needs of employers, you can demand a higher salary.

Your location also influences your earnings. For instance, personal assistants in San Francisco or New York have higher salaries due to the higher demand and cost of living. Personal assistants who work in rural areas earn lower salaries.

Wondering what you can earn as a personal assistant? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a personal assistant is.

 

Male with glass and red blazer sitting in a green chair looking at a person
Male with glass and red blazer sitting in a green chair looking at a person
2

types of personal assistants

There are several types of personal assistants, including:

  • administrative assistant: As an administrative assistant, you provide administrative support to managers. However, your role focuses on helping manage office workers or the administrator's team. You handle phone calls and complete clerical tasks to ensure the office runs smoothly.
  • executive assistant: An executive assistant is a personal assistant with a more complex role. Unlike a personal assistant, who organizes schedules and meetings, an executive assistant has such responsibilities as hiring and firing employees. Executive assistants are also involved in developing strategies for running the office and managing other administrative assistants.
  • chief executive assistant: A chief executive assistant is like a personal operations officer for an executive. They know all the players in the business and advise managers on the best strategies to pursue. They also take meetings on behalf of senior-level executives and have more authority to make decisions.
3

working as a personal assistant

If you're interested in a dynamic career working with senior management in the top echelons of a company, you should consider becoming a personal or executive assistant. Your decision-making skills will be challenged as you balance keeping your employer on schedule and working with company staff, clients, and suppliers on multiple projects and events.

4

personal assistant skills and education

To become a personal assistant, you need the following qualifications:

  • education: Personal assistants usually have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate. Some positions require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business administration or related fields. To distinguish their skills, personal assistants also acquired certification from the International Association of Administrative Professionals.
  • work experience: Personal assistants often acquire some administrative work experience in entry-level jobs such as a receptionist or administrative assistant. You should have experience using computers, MS Office, printers, and copiers and working in an office environment. Work experience in a specific industry, such as public relations, is also a benefit when applying for a job in that field.

skills and competencies

Personal assistants require specific skills, talents, and abilities to become successful.

  • organization: Most personal assistants need to multitask and manage multiple projects in various stages of completion. Being able to prioritize tasks will help you succeed in this position.
  • flexibility: Things rarely go as planned. This is true in business as well as in life. As a personal assistant, you should be able to think quickly and make decisions to keep projects on track.
  • tact and discretion: Not all managers are easy to work with. It is tempting to vent frustrations to co-workers or on social media. However, it is always best to refrain from discussing the negative aspects of your job, except with the most trusted individuals.
  • written and verbal communication: Any instructions you provide to staff, clients, and suppliers should be clear and concise, whether the instructions are written or spoken.
  • attention to detail: Personal assistants make detailed plans related to schedules and travel arrangements. They also develop detailed presentations and documents for managers and executives.
  • time management: To be a successful personal assistant, your manager must trust that any assignments are completed on time and efficiently. One of the main reasons managers employ personal assistants is to delegate administrative duties. A primary responsibility will be effectively arranging your manager’s schedule.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also provides helpful information about pursuing this career and the required skills and qualifications.

male and female having a conversation
male and female having a conversation
5

FAQs about working as a personal assistant

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about working as a personal assistant.

thank you for subscribing to your personalised job alerts.