Personal assistants are highly valued in the business world as they have a diverse set of skills that are utilized by managers. They provide support in office and administrative tasks, and even take on aspects of business administration.
Personal assistant positions require a variety of skills depending on the industry, but there are six universal skills that are commonly listed on job descriptions. These skills include communication, time management, organization, problem solving, attention to detail, and technological proficiency. Prospective personal assistants should display these essential competencies on their resumes to land their next job.
Skills required for personal assistant
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to listen actively and empathize with others, are necessary for success in this role. Clear and timely communication ensures that tasks are completed efficiently, priorities are aligned, and relationships are maintained.
- Personal assistant are expected to interact with various individuals and carry out secretarial tasks, as well as gain knowledge about their employer’s private life to meet their needs in different situations. Hence, they should possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills to manage diverse stakeholders and perform their duties effectively.
- Personal assistants must possess the crucial skill of organizing and planning to efficiently allocate time amongst various tasks. Ensuring effective time management for both themselves and their superiors is vital to effectively completing business duties.
- Personal assistants prioritize organizational skills, demonstrating adaptability to adjust schedules according to business priorities. They possess natural organization capabilities and can craft impeccable filing systems and databases.
- Personal assistants are responsible for a wide range of duties, including administrative tasks, scheduling, answering phone calls, and organizing meetings. They must possess strong multitasking skills to be able to handle these responsibilities effectively.
Being a great personal assistant
To become a great personal assistant, one must learn to delegate, develop exceptional communication skills, be proactive, exhibit good time management skills, prioritize tasks, exhibit discretion and a keen sense of judgment, and maintain a positive attitude.
- Personal assistants must also possess a wealth of general knowledge, excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, and exhibit a high level of professionalism to support their managers effectively.
- As a personal assistant, it’s essential to prioritize your manager’s needs. Maintaining their schedule and keeping them informed is crucial. Developing a system to prioritize tasks daily, weekly, and monthly can help. It’s wise to collaborate with your manager to create a system that works for both of you.
- Knowing your manager’s personality and work style can be advantageous. If they struggle with remembering details, ensure they are fully informed before meetings and events. If multitasking is not their forte, limit their interruptions during designated core task time.
- Be proactive as the first point of contact for your manager. Don’t rely on them to provide information when people contact you with questions. Learn as much as you can about new clients. Stay on top of incoming calls and emails to ensure prompt and accurate handling of inquiries. Be ready for an expected rush of tasks to help your manager better manage their workload. Being proactive will make you a valuable asset to your manager and the team.
- To excel in your role, it is important to consistently update your skills and knowledge. This proactive approach involves learning new skills and sharpening existing ones to improve your efficiency and productivity on the job.
At last
A Personal Assistant, also known as Personal Executive Assistant, assists senior-level staff members with clerical duties such as answering emails and phone calls, scheduling meetings, and making travel arrangements. Their role is imperative in streamlining administrative tasks and ensuring that the executives can focus on their core responsibilities without distractions.
Personal assistants possess diverse skill sets that range from office management and administrative support to handling various business functions. Their proficiency and expertise make them valuable contributors to organizational growth and success.
