Find out everything you need to know about becoming a Personal Assistant.

Job Title - Personal Assistant

Description

A Personal Assistant (PA) is usually called the "right-hand" of a person in a senior position. The job of a Personal Assistant is to support the employer’s in their daily duties and ease their workload. They are the main point of contact and respond on behalf of the employer. Personal Assistants are entrusted to handle highly confidential information and correspondence. If the employer is away, a Personal Assistant is able to competently handle projects, routine duties, and situations that may arise.

For some public figures, Personal Assistants may have to assist in managing both their employer’s professional and private lives.

Typical Job Activities

Checks and responds to employer’s email
Screens phone calls and takes messages
Schedules appointments and manages employer’s diary
Types reports and correspondences
Makes travel and accommodation arrangements
Attends meetings as the employer’s representative
Supervises office staff
Organises conferences, company meetings etc.
Organises team-building programmes
Arranges catering for meetings
Organises corporate gifting and incentives etc.

Does this sound like a career for you? Browse jobs in the office industry here.

Related Occupations

Administrative Secretary
Correspondence Assistant
Executive Assistant
Private Secretary

Educational Requirements

Most TVET (FET) colleges and other training institutions offer some sort of admin / secretarial courses. Look into studying Certificates or National Diplomas.

What natural skills and/or aptitudes do I need for this occupation?

Be a strong verbal and written communicator
Be efficient
Be extremely organised
Be discrete
Be a multi-tasker
Be able to be adaptable and flexible
Be self-motivated

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Employment Opportunities

High

Market Competitiveness

High

Income Potential

Moderate

Self-Employment Options

Low

International Employment Market

High

Possible Employers

Government
Big private companies
Medium or small Companies

Browse companies hiring now.

Relevant Contact Details

False Bay College
www.falsebaycollege.co.za

Skills Academy
www.skillsacademy.co.za

South Africa Secretaries and PA’s Association
www.saspa.co.za

Career Progress and Path

Further Studies in the specific career field
Further studies in related fields
Experience in specific field
Work performance
Experience in related fields
General management studies

Possible Career Paths

Management positions in the specific field
Management positions in related fields
General business management
Executive positions

Employment Stability

Very stable

Reasons to consider this career

A job in government
A job in private companies
A stable job
To be of service to people
To work with people
To not have to study theories
To work fixed hours