Business leaders often rely on their personal assistants (PAs) to help them stay organised and take care of day-to-day tasks. If you plan to hire a PA, there are certain qualities to look for in a good one. After all, the most successful people hire excellent personal assistants they can trust and rely on.
From attention to detail to interpersonal skills and problem-solving abilities, this article explores the essential qualities of a great PA. You can find out what you should be looking for when hiring your next assistant so that you can always have someone around who has your back.
Ten skills to look for in a Personal Assistant
When it comes to hiring a good PA, there are specific skills that you should look for.
A good PA should be able to:
- Stay organised and keep track of important details
- Handle tasks independently and proactively
- Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Be adaptable and flexible to handle changes
- Use technology efficiently to help with work tasks
- Be proactive in being able to pre-empt the needs of the team or boss
- Work independently without being told what to do for every task
- Understand the importance of confidentiality
- Fit the personality of the team
- Have a good values fit with the company
These are just some of the skills that a good PA should have. If you can find someone with all these qualities, you are on your way to finding an excellent PA!
Soft skills to look for in a Personal Assistant
When hiring a PA they must have excellent soft skills to succeed. Here are some of the most critical soft skills to look for in a good PA:
Excellent communication skills: A good PA needs to communicate effectively with their boss, colleagues, and clients. They should be able to clearly convey instructions and information.
Strong organisational skills: A good PA needs to be highly organised to keep their boss on track and manage their time effectively. They should be able to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines without getting overwhelmed.
Flexibility and adaptability: A good PA must be flexible and adaptable to deal with last-minute changes or unexpected challenges. They should be able to think on their feet and come up with creative solutions.
Resourcefulness: A good PA must be resourceful to find information or resources when needed. They should know where to look for things and how to get them quickly and efficiently.
Attention to detail: A good PA must pay attention to detail to catch errors or identify potential problems. They should be thorough in their work and double-check everything before moving on.
Initiative: A good PA needs to be able to take initiative and not constantly wait for instructions.
Reliability: A reliable PA is worth its weight in gold. Knowing that a PA is conscientious and reliable allows a manager to hand over work and focus on key tasks.
PA’s are both thinkers and doers.
Why a PA is not just an administrator
There are many qualities to look for in a good PA, but one of the most important is that they are not just an administrator. A PA should be able to think on their feet and take charge when needed, but also know when to step back and let others take the lead. They should be organised and efficient, but also flexible and adaptable. Above all, they should communicate well and have excellent people skills.
A PA is not just an administrator because they need to be able to do more than manage schedules and paperwork. They need to be able to think critically and solve problems quickly. A good PA requires excellent people skills, as they often act as liaisons between different departments or individuals. They should also be a master of multitasking, as they will often have several tasks going on at once.
Want to hire a remote Personal Assistant?
If you feel overwhelmed with the tasks that need to be done and don't have enough time to complete them, then hiring an office-based or remote personal assistant could be the solution you're looking for.
Find out more about how we can help you streamline your processes, save time and money, and improve your overall productivity by hiring one of our office-based or remote-based Personal Assistants. We offer several solutions, including permanent hires, contracts and independent contracting to one of our trusted Personal Assistants.
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