How to Choose a Personal Assistant

Hiring a personal assistant can be a tricky processyou decide what qualifications and previous work
involving much trial and error. Not every employerexperience your PA should have, but writing a job
is the same, and a personal assistant should notdescription will also help you to develop some of
only fit the employer's needs but also his or herthe questions you will ask during screening and
personality. This article offers a few ideas on howinterviewing. From the perspective of the
you can eliminate some of the stress of hiring aapplicants, the job description serves as a guide in
personal assistant (PA).helping them to know exactly what you are
When you are first looking for an assistant, it islooking for and to make them understand that
important to equally weigh all the facets you willthis is a serious position. A clearly written list of
look at. Although skills and employment historyneeds tells applicants that you, the employer,
are important factors, employers must alsohave your head together and know what you
consider an applicant's personality and lifeneed and that all the PA has to do is follow your
experiences. Chemistry, an intangible quality mostdirections and provide the help.
often discovered during an interview, is the mostWhen writing your description, consider how much
important factor in determining the success oftime you want to spend training your new hire. If
this employer-employee relationship.you write a well-defined job description, you will
Qualified applicants should beo organizedomake it easier on yourself in determining how
detail-orientedo confidential/privateo able tomuch experience a person really has.
prioritizeo responsibleo professionalo personableoWhen written for a PA position, a comprehensive
resourcefulo dependableo prompto able tojob descriptions has at least six standard parts: (1)
delegateo resiliento a self-startero motivatedoJob title; (2) Nature of work; (3) Qualifications and
loyalo a team playero honesto trustworthyo ablequalities of employee; (4) Duties to be performed;
to anticipate and plan ahead(5) Work schedule and comments; and (6) Salary.
The fastest and easiest way to get the applicantsNot every PA will be ideal. But following the above
you are looking for is to write a descriptive andsuggestions will see you better on your way to
detailed job description. To you as an employer, afinding a personal assistant who fits your needs
job description helps you to clearly define theand can give you the help you're looking for.
type of person you would like to hire. Not only will