A personal assistant is one of the most crucial roles within a company – they are the person that you will rely on to do so many important little tasks for you. There are plenty of great people out there who can say they are looking for a PA job but how do you search through those who want to just Get a PA Job and find the perfect PA for you?
Preparation
Before you put up a single advert or discuss the role with anyone, you need to do some serious preparation. At the heart of this is deciding what you will want the PA to do – compile a list of their duties and responsibilities. If you have it clear in your mind what you want them to do, then you can communicate this to them and ensure you get someone who is up for the job. Do you want them to answer your phone, book hotel rooms for business trips, remind you to pick the kids up from school? All of these things need to go onto the list.
Also, think about the type of personality you want for the role. You are going to spend a lot of time with them, sometimes more than with anyone else. You want to go for someone who complements your style. Maybe you are a no-nonsense type who likes to get on with it and keep things professional. Or maybe you are a bit of a joker who likes to pull a prank on employees and have the workplace be fun. Use these concepts to help choose a complementing PA.
Specialist knowledge
Another area to consider is any specialist knowledge you need in your PA. Most PA training courses will educate students to a high standard and ensure they are ready for the day to day life as a PA. But sometimes your role or your company type might mean you need someone with specific knowledge or experience to fit in. Make sure you detail this in the advert.
The same applies to computer programs, software and other equipment they may be required to use. If you run your computer system on Windows, then the vast majority of PAs will adapt to it instantly. But if you use a bespoke system then you may need to factor in some training. Or if you use an industry-specific program or equipment, you may want to see if you can find someone who can already handle this.
The Application
As you start to receive applications for the role once you have laid out all the specifics of the job, make sure you follow up on references. Okay, it is only a personal opinion but by talking to people who have worked with the individual, you can get good input about them. You don’t need references for everyone you receive an application for but all the opens you are seriously considering should involve contacting their references.
You can even ask them to get involved in a short-term project to see how it works. You will need to pay them, but it is like a working interview, a common tactic in many other industries. It allows both parties to see how things work and if you gel as a team before any commitment is made.
Conclusion
When you do make an offer, don’t be offended if they want to consider it. That means they are making a considered decision and are less likely to change their mind a few weeks down the line. Be ready to bargain a little on benefits and salary as it is a competitive market and you will need to pay for that perfect PA.
*This is a collaborative guest post*
