what's it like being a personal assistant
Everyone. I’ve worked for some people and felt like I was helping make the world a worse place. It's not hard to do exactly what you need to do to get by as an assistant. If your boss has taken the meeting and said you need to do X, Y, and Z better and that burns, know that it means that she thinks you are totally capable of doing it and she wants to help you get there. A great personal assistant has excellent time-management skills and is confident in his or her ability to organize and prioritize urgent assignments. Assisting is stressful and exhausting and blah, blah, blah. My boss and I will talk about holiday bonuses for the staff, and I’ll say, “How much did we give the housekeeper last year?” Later I’ll think, Oh my god, it’s crazy that that’s a normal thing for me to ask. 3. But it’s also … 13. Gone are the days when PAs worked exclusively for one manager. Benefits of Being a PA Some personal assistants are organizers who help people better manage their personal time and energies. How did your boss become who she is? I’ve worked for some people and felt like I was helping make the world a worse place. Loyalty is huge. Your questions aren't stupid. Being a virtual assistant helps curb that craving and makes me an all-around happier person! If she took you on as an assistant, she thinks you have the potential to follow in her footsteps. Check the date on your boss's return flight before she actually leaves for her business trip! Low woman on the totem poll runs shit one day? I like being the go to person who knows a bit about lots of different departments. Delegation of Smaller Tasks. There is nothing better in the world than one of these: 6. If your boss is up brainstorming ways to change the world at 1 a.m. and she needs you to schedule a meeting immediately so she can make it happen, you (absolutely should) do it. Previously the tasks and capabilities of PAs/EAs were limited to gatekeeping, diary management and basic communication/correspondence. She doesn't need to know you are stressed (implying that she is stress-inducing) or busy (implying that you can't handle her stress-making tasks) or that you got stuck in traffic (implying that you don't plan ahead well). Everyone fucks up. email every three-ish months or so, and she never has turned me down. Lady's busy, she doesn't have time for your stories. Checking in to see if you're doing a good job is important — it shows you want to do better and lets her know that you have The Future and Next Steps on the brain. You know that, right? You’re placing her in control of everything in your life. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Make it clear that you have a plan and that other people want you to work for them. Being an assistant means your time is not your own. 10. Now I work for a famous writer in San Francisco. Your boss doesn't care about your excuses. Be smarter than me! Ruthless Prioritization. It is a role where you can make as much or as little of it as you want. We recommend our users to update the browser. Triple-check your work. 14. That’s why we’ve asked Adam Pike, CEO of SuperCarers to talk you through what you should expect from a personal assistant and how to find the very best. Be your trusted eyes and ears: Personal assistants can provide insight into what’s happening with individual family members at home and at school. If my job is to scrub a toilet every day, I will… Unless there is something terrible happening (like a death in the family or a medical issue), there is no reason why you shouldn't get your work done. You “Get” To Organize The Next Conference – It’s possible that you love event planning. If it’s basic administrative tasks like managing phone calls as a personal assistant, you’d be paying around $15-25/hour. I am a people person. Oftentimes in an assistant-type role, you become every higher-up's assistant by default. But you know what, a job is a job. I crave freedom. I felt guilty about that. When it came to looking for a new role, it was really challenging and I ended up finding, interviewing and accepting a personal assistant position to the director of a small company based in Essex. When people ask me what my occupation is, I think of the most non-belittling way to put the following; executive/personal assistant or ASS-sistant(my boss literally uses this to describe anyone in my same position). Qualified Personal Assistants are irreplaceable assets to any executive office. In some cases, personal assistants must work odd hours to support the needs of the employer, especially during busy seasons or special projects. 1) I have freedom. A lot of my job is doing frivolous and superfluous tasks like “Oh, can you book the tickets to Dubai?” My wife and I feel that between her job and mine, it’s a comfortable equality for our family. 2. No matter where you are in your career, your boss will always notice when you put in extra effort. Tess Koman covers breaking (food) news, opinion pieces, and features on larger happenings in the food world. When everyone needs you to do everything, remember that your boss and her priorities are your priorities. The work varies a lot. See above. To ensure that this rewarding career is right for you, you’ll need a clear understanding on what exactly it involves. That's overwhelming! Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. She’s working to “save the people.” It evens out. How exciting is that?! I like to do things that make people feel good about their job and themselves. I really can't stress enough how important it is to not be a dickbag. Similarly, you're not going to get bigger opportunities in your career unless you ask for them. Everyone has to do office coffee runs at some point. See above. Freedom to: make my own schedule – I can work, take breaks, schedule personal appointments, take … Enjoy the best stories, advice & jokes delivered right to your inbox! A personal assistant keeps your family members on schedule and often transports family members to and from appointments and events. It's smarter to ask a million questions so you get something right the first time. When she was your age, your boss fucked up too. Personal Assistants are calm under pressure and capable of thinking on their feet in a crisis. Pay attention to detail. Good things don't come to those who wait — they come to those who work really hard in the beginning. When you're working … It is hard to make time to go ~*above and beyond*~. When it comes to more complex skills such as digital marketing, that rate may jump to $50/hour. She also knows that they aren’t any happier than we are. My wife, who works in nonprofit to support homeless and low-income families, makes less. Personal assistants often spend the majority of their working hours doing personal errands for their employers. Flexibility and the ability to adapt are key traits for a successful personal … Don’t get me wrong—I can see the perks of throwing money at something. PAs and executive assistants (EAs) are at the heart of organisations, working side-by-side with chief executives and leaders, playing a key role in supporting decisions. Some assistants, like Engstrom, are lucky to have bosses that foster their talents and skills—She is also the co-head of the digital team and oversees Berkus' website and social media. You're likely working for someone you want to be someday, so ask her bigger-picture questions too. Ultimately, that ability doesn’t outweigh the benefit of having time with the people who love you for you, not because you’re famous. My clients have ranged from Hollywood screenwriters to surgeons and entrepreneurs. A personal assistant is primarily designed to aide people with personal and professional tasks. No matter where you are in your career, your boss will always notice when you put in extra effort. If you're leaving at 5 p.m. every day after a solid day's work of the bare minimum, she knows. I will never forget a wise coworker telling me exactly that toward the beginning of my first position. The hours for personal assistants are inconsistent and fluctuate based on the employer's needs. Qualities an assistant should have: Someone who's nice, personable, funny, takes their job seriously, and isn't a dickbag. Your job will always be to make your boss's life easier. When your boss takes the time to give constructive criticism, it means she thinks you're worth it. Everything else is secondary. The spending thing is more confusing for my family than for me. Delegation is a miracle for entrepreneurs, but one they're often most … 1. While such tales are entertaining enough, the reality for most personal assistants has changed vastly within the modern workplace. It's an intimate job with an unclear boundary when it comes … This could be in their own home, in … Again, you have to push through the awk and ask for bigger opportunities when you're ready. As a PA you'll work directly with one or more individuals to support them with varius aspects of their daily life. People respect when you ask for feedback. The Chief of Staff or The Executive Officer. It often takes a major mistake to realize it's so important to be diligent with your work. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Take advantage of it. Some positions are part-time, and others can exceed the 40-hour full-time work week. If you've taken the step of asking for feedback, you have to be prepared for what said feedback will be. Personal Assistants Working as a personal assistant (PA) can be a very rewarding career and there are lots of opportunities to progress. My family is kind of like, “What is this life that you live?” My daughter will say, “Why did they get to go to London over spring break, and we went to Nana’s house?” But I think she understands the concept that these kids live a different life from the one we do. 12. A related skill is being tactful, the ability to react gently or not at all to information that other people might find difficult or … They typically support senior managers, executives and teams. She knows. I really enjoyed the role as it gave me the opportunity to really get to know people at the top of the business, get my name out there and partake in a wide variety of tasks to do with the business. They Learn All The Celebrity's Secrets. As a personal assistant, you will frequently be exposed to sensitive material, from trade secrets to highly personal information that you will need to keep confidential. This is something you will learn the hard way. 8. Develop an Interest in Office Technology - In today's technologically advanced society, it is essential … Give her several flight options in advance of her trip, pitch her ideas after a meeting you were in just to take notes on, etc. It takes a village, and I'm SO glad that Tiegen is in mine!! Be upfront with your hopes and dreams. Finally we have the chief of staff - or, in the military, the … I come home with these crazy experiences: I took a new $90,000 BMW out for a spin. 5. It's … Would she maybe want to do coffee or lunch sometime to talk about how she got there? If your boss is having a bad day and takes it out on you, don't take it personally. That happened and we still get along great. Jobs are 9 to 5. Personal assistants are often in a position to interact with high-level executives, which can lead to an inside track on promotions or other job opportunities. It's also the best way to get your foot in the door toward your dream career. My yearly salary is in the $80,000 to $125,000 range, plus health, retirement, and bonuses. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Smart Strategies for Organizing Your Kid’s Closet, The 36 Best Graduation Gifts to Celebrate This Milestone, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Personal assistants often drive, walk or use public transportation to accomplish these errands. You cannot have someone in this position who doesn’t come with incredible recommendations, because she knows more about your investments than you do. What makes a good personal assistant? 7. She'll also always notice when you don't make an extra effort. Seriously. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Budget, 40 Money-Saving Tips to Help You Ball on a Budget, 35 Useful Money Tips from Your Fave TV Shows, Low-Key Smart Ways to Get Out of Working Today, What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Male Stripper. 8 Things I Learned From the Worst Boss Ever, 12 Life Lessons You Only Learn From Being a Camp Counselor, Blac Chyna's Assistant Dies After Brain Bleed, 14 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became an Investigative Reporter, 14 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a Nurse. We always say we actually do the same job. Back to the idea of EA as “gatekeeper.” While I definitely think this label is an … In fact, I would say my clients are usually less happy than anyone I know in my income bracket. You cannot have someone in this position — in positions like the ones I have nowadays — who doesn’t come with incredible recommendations, because you’re placing them in control of everything. Technology has … 4. Confront that deep-rooted Millennial fear that you are annoying or that your boss is mad at you. Loyalty is a big part of what my clients look for in an assistant. Promise. The prospect of finding and employing a personal assistant (PA) can be daunting. “An assistant's role is hybrid; you are wearing both the executive assistant and personal assistant hat. Careers are more than that. No, but you get it. These days Personal Assistants become right hand of the Executive and in some cases their Business Partners. What's the expression? I carry my clients’ credit cards and purchase all sorts of things on their behalf. Ask all the questions. Natural Self-Tanner = The Secret to a Safe Glow, Sophie Turner Stuns in a Sheer Black Bodysuit , Phoebe Dynevor Talks Daphne's "Sexual Evolution", The Definitive List of College Dorm Essentials, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. It’s normal for me to charge $6,000 or write a check for $400,000 and not even think about it. 11. But she does it for people with no money and no homes. Like that time I by accident stranded my boss in Texas for an extra day on a business trip. BIG thanks to Tiegen for joining me! There is no situation where it is smart to blame anyone else for a mistake you are responsible for. It's just a waste of time to resent your most menial assignments. She would much rather you just say you messed up and that you're sorry and that you have a brilliant plan to fix your mistake. Below is an overview of what the job entails, what skills you’ll need and what your working conditions will be like – including I always sent my boss a "Hey, can we catch up?" The duties vary wildly. But I’m never jealous of it. I felt guilty about that. She is managing your nannies or the people working on your house. Keep growing in your role. These errands often include everything from shopping for gifts and groceries to retrieving dry cleaning and meals to overseeing car repairs. That will never change. 9. You can even use being a personal … When you are stressed, know your hard work will be worth it. This depends on the movie star because there are some stars that are very nice and respectful and others who live with the biggest sense of entitlement and unleash cruelty as they deem fit. You can use it to jump start your career into another line of work. https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/personal-assistant THE PROS OF BEING A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT. Force yourself to ask all the questions you have upfront. If you've already noticed that your boss notices when you put in extra effort, you probably have already thought to ask for her feedback. Tech-savvy: This skill becomes more essential every day; you can no longer perform a personal assistant’s most basic duties without being well-versed in computer systems and programs. Customer service executives handling inbound calls can earn about $25-30/hour. If you are a great assistant, why wouldn't your boss want to keep you in her life as long as possible?