I want to transfer my skills and become a personal assistant how can I do it?

Question

I have worked in the customer service industry for a number of years, and want to transfer them to another industry. I would really like to be a Personal Assistant. How do you suggest I do it?

Answer 1

Definitely sell your communication and people skills during the interview process. Emphasize the number of words per minute you type and computer software programs you know (microsoft word, excel, powerpoint.) The number of people you interacting with on a daily basis would also play a role. These are the areas you need to emphasize on your resume and during the face to face or phone interview.

Answer 2

Setup some interest interviews with other PA's and get their advice. Ideally the PA's you want to talk with are those that work in what you perceive to be the top companies, you feel you can access. The higher up in the company the better. They will know more than those who have only been on the job a year or two. Ask them how they went about getting their first PA position. Find out what they feel are the most important skills needed for that position. Ask them who else they would suggest you talk to about this, either in their company or other companies. Your goal is not to ask for a position but find out as much as you can about how to go about getting this type of position and referrals to others you can talk with about it. This will get you in front of people that can potentially hire you. You will be a rarity and they will take note of your initiative and possibly offer you a position. Take their advice and use it. Be sure and send them a thank you card. You never know, they may know someone who is looking. Good luck in your search!

Answer 3

I would join a temp to hire agency. Working temp jobs will get you the experience you need and learn a lot on the way. The other thing about a temp agency is that you aren't stuck in a job you don't like, you can work as much as you want and take off as much time as you want. Once you've done a few temp positions and you feel the time is right, only take temp to hire positions. Then after the allotted time, the company has the right to offer you a position without any fee to them.

Answer 4

a personal assistant is a private secretary. So, of course you'd need to type at a good speed and probably be a Notary Public....you can get an idea from the following (taken from a school's courses) as to what you might be required to know:

http://www.harpercollege.edu/catalog/2001/career/admin/sec.htm

so you might need a school certificate or a CPS rating or certificate, or may even need a degree. Maybe look up "personal assistant" jobs on the internet and check the requirements..

Answer 5

Learn to use an electronic and a paper based diary as PA's need to have great diary management skills for their boss. You will also need to know how to make travel arrangements. Organisation and time management is key. Discretion is also highly valued. Just apply for a PA job!

Answer 6

search for a job in the field of your interest advertising for "assistants"!