What is a Personal Assistant?

A PA is a Personal Assistant, who can help ease their manager's workload by providing secretarial support and deal with a range of clerical duties.

A PA works closely with their manager and can be expected to carry out an extensive list of day to day tasks. Some of these task include taking and making telephone calls and email, organising the managers diary, producing letters, organising hospitality; making travel and accommodation arrangements and taking minutes at important meetings.

A PA also needs certain strong attributes: discretion, assertiveness and confidence, amongst other things.

Why become a PA?

Although it can be very hard work, with your boss relying on you heavily, being a PA can be very rewarding and enjoyable. Two days are rarely the same.

You can work in all kinds of industries and you may be able to further your CV by working towards an advanced qualification whilst you are employed.

How can I become a PA?

The qualifications need to become a PA can vary from employer to employer. Some employers will require a recognised qualification, for example NVQ level 2 in administration.

Generally, you will need a good standard of English (GCSE A-C) or a qualification of a similar level.

PA's need a good business sense and know their organisation well. You will need to be computer literate and have proven experience in administrative work. Some extra skills like shorthand can also be very useful.

I would like to become a PA. How much can I expect to earn?

Starting salaries for a PA are around £18,000 to £25,000 a year, although it depends on the industry.

In larger organisations, more senior PA jobs can reach £35,000 a year.