duties and responsibilities

Some of the duties and responsibilities of personal assistants include: managing and organising diaries: As a personal assistant, you must organise diaries and schedule appointments, meetings and events for managers and other executives. Since you plan the work schedule, you remind them of the next appointment and arrange the logistics required. acting as the first contact person: As a personal assistant, you are the first point of contact between the manager and internal or external clients. You greet clients and visitors and direct them to their appointments. You are also the first person people call or email when looking for a company executive. taking meeting minutes and dictation: During company meetings or events, you take minutes and ensure the executive has all the documents required for the meeting. Hence, it would help if you were good at transcribing dictations to ensure you send valid emails and letters to clients. You also take hand dictations from managers and help them write documents or reports for various projects. organising events and conferences: As a personal assistant, you assist executives or managers in planning company events or conferences. You source vendors for various services and present them to the management for approval. You also prepare the attendance list and send out invitations. During the event, you ensure guests are well taken care of and organise accommodation and other facilities for speakers. organising office documents: As a personal assistant, you prepare reports, briefs and presentations. It would help if you were good at Microsoft Office to prepare PowerPoint presentations. You also maintain databases and ensure the filing system facilitates easy retrieval of company documents. bookkeeping: As a personal assistant, you collate and file managers' or executives' business expenses. You ensure the travel expenses are accounted for and keep receipts and other financial documents in order. You also provide the office equipment, and costs are handled on time to avoid disrupting office activities.

Most personal assistants work in an office environment, but there are exceptions. Construction contractors sometimes employ PAs to help with paperwork and interface with clients. This requires travelling to work sites, working with labourers and meeting with clients. Personal assistants who work with wealthy families, politicians or celebrities often work in homes rather than offices.

who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include executive assistants , accountants and receptionists. You might also be working close to office administrators and managers , as well as other specialists that could consist of but are not limited to janitors, secretaries and security guards.

Most PAs work regular business hours. However, it would be best if you were flexible when deadlines loom or during peak seasons for your manager. Many employers offer flexible time and work-from-home options. There are also some part-time opportunities in this field. Sometimes, you must accompany the executive to overseas meetings and conferences, which require an overnight stay. However, employers usually indicate the amount of travelling involved during the hiring process.

Many companies are replacing PAs with roles of administrative assistants who support a team of managers. Despite this trend, your job future and potential will be promising if you are hired as a personal assistant. Experience and dedication often lead to advancement for good PAs. In some positions, you manage the staff and organise the manager's business. Many personal assistants ultimately advance to other higher-paying positions within a company.

advantages of finding a personal assistant job through randstad

Finding your assistant job through Randstad provides essential advantages such as: a wide variety of training and development opportunities an experienced contact person to provide help if needed a range of options in your area get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job temporary and permanent contracts Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a personal assistant is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent career. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

what exactly does a personal assistant do?

A personal assistant provides individual support to another person, such as an executive, celebrity or politician. In this position, your role is to keep your manager on schedule and handle time-consuming administrative duties for them.

what qualifications do you need for a personal assistant?

There are no standard degrees required to become a personal assistant. However, most companies will look favourably at candidates with qualifications. If you want to become a personal assistant, it's good to have administrative skills and experience.

is personal assistant a good career?

Being a PA is a rewarding and often exciting career. In this position, you will have a direct positive effect on your manager. If you love working with people, enjoy multitasking and don't mind the stress of deadlines, you will love this position.

what skills do you need to be a PA?

Skills like knowledge of a foreign language, shorthand and audio typing will help you get an edge on the competition. Inside a specific industry or field, experience in it can also be very useful.

does a personal assistant perform the same duties as an executive assistant?

A personal assistant performs administrative and clerical duties for a specific manager. However, an executive assistant has more responsibilities, including hiring workers and managing other teams on behalf of the executive they work for.

how do I apply for a personal assistant vacancy?

Applying for a personal assistant job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our personal assistant job offers . Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

Personal Assistant

what is a personal assistant?

There's an indispensable, dynamic personal assistant behind every successful manager or company executive. In this role, you provide valuable administrative support to an individual. Unlike a traditional administrator who works for a team, a personal assistant works closely with one person, usually a top executive or manager. The PA creates an administrative support system that allows managers to use their time best. With you handling organisational and administrative tasks, your manager has more free time to perform strategic duties.

As a personal assistant, you need a deep understanding of the organisation and know who the key personnel are since you represent senior executives. Personal assistants work across various industries, from financial services to health and manufacturing companies. Therefore, your daily tasks can vary depending on your company and the managers you work with. For instance, you could be assisting with market research today, and you plan business trips tomorrow. Most personal assistants work in the corporate world, but some work in public administration.

personal assistant jobs

1

average salary of a personal assistant

A personal assistant in New Zealand earns an average salary of $55,000 annually. If you are new to the role, your average annual salary is $50,000. As your skills improve and you work for high-profile managers, the salary increases to over $90,000.

Personal assistants receive various benefits since they take up many responsibilities. Some employers have higher overtime hourly rates, while others provide bonuses and an expense account. Personal assistants may also enjoy benefits like car and house allowances.

ways to boost your personal assistant salary

Your earnings as a personal assistant depend on the company and business sector you work for. For instance, a personal assistant working in the corporate world is likely to earn more and receive additional benefits than those working in public administration. Private companies can afford to pay more due to the unlimited resources, while government jobs often have fixed salaries.

The location also affects your remuneration. When you work in large cities, you are likely to earn more due to the high demand for personal assistants.

two smiling females working on their laptops

2

types of personal assistants

Some of the types of personal assistants include:

administrative assistants: as an administrative assistant, you support other employees and manage business communications at the workplace. For instance, you direct phone calls, manage meeting schedules and respond to various inquiries. You also perform clerical tasks for multiple departments.
executive assistants: you support business executives to achieve business goals as an administrative assistant. You can work in a large company where you assist in optimising business functions. Sometimes, the role involves hiring and firing other workers.
chief executive assistant: as the chief of staff, you handle minor responsibilities that an executive would do by managing the day-to-day activities. You also provide vital information to the company executives to help them strategise and make decisions.

3

working as a personal assistant

If you're interested in a dynamic career and working with senior management in the top echelon of a company, you should consider becoming a personal or executive assistant. Your decision-making skills will be challenged as you juggle keeping your employer on schedule and working with company staff, clients and suppliers on multiple projects and events.

duties and responsibilities
Some of the duties and responsibilities of personal assistants include:

managing and organising diaries:
- As a personal assistant, you must organise diaries and schedule appointments, meetings and events for managers and other executives. Since you plan the work schedule, you remind them of the next appointment and arrange the logistics required.
acting as the first contact person:
- As a personal assistant, you are the first point of contact between the manager and internal or external clients. You greet clients and visitors and direct them to their appointments. You are also the first person people call or email when looking for a company executive.
taking meeting minutes and dictation:
- During company meetings or events, you take minutes and ensure the executive has all the documents required for the meeting. Hence, it would help if you were good at transcribing dictations to ensure you send valid emails and letters to clients. You also take hand dictations from managers and help them write documents or reports for various projects.
organising events and conferences:
- As a personal assistant, you assist executives or managers in planning company events or conferences. You source vendors for various services and present them to the management for approval. You also prepare the attendance list and send out invitations. During the event, you ensure guests are well taken care of and organise accommodation and other facilities for speakers.
organising office documents:
- As a personal assistant, you prepare reports, briefs and presentations. It would help if you were good at Microsoft Office to prepare PowerPoint presentations. You also maintain databases and ensure the filing system facilitates easy retrieval of company documents.
bookkeeping:
- As a personal assistant, you collate and file managers' or executives' business expenses. You ensure the travel expenses are accounted for and keep receipts and other financial documents in order. You also provide the office equipment, and costs are handled on time to avoid disrupting office activities.
work environment

Most personal assistants work in an office environment, but there are exceptions. Construction contractors sometimes employ PAs to help with paperwork and interface with clients. This requires travelling to work sites, working with labourers and meeting with clients. Personal assistants who work with wealthy families, politicians or celebrities often work in homes rather than offices.
who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include executive assistants, accountants and receptionists. You might also be working close to office administrators and managers, as well as other specialists that could consist of but are not limited to janitors, secretaries and security guards.
work schedule

Most PAs work regular business hours. However, it would be best if you were flexible when deadlines loom or during peak seasons for your manager. Many employers offer flexible time and work-from-home options. There are also some part-time opportunities in this field. Sometimes, you must accompany the executive to overseas meetings and conferences, which require an overnight stay. However, employers usually indicate the amount of travelling involved during the hiring process.
job outlook

Many companies are replacing PAs with roles of administrative assistants who support a team of managers. Despite this trend, your job future and potential will be promising if you are hired as a personal assistant. Experience and dedication often lead to advancement for good PAs. In some positions, you manage the staff and organise the manager's business. Many personal assistants ultimately advance to other higher-paying positions within a company.
advantages of finding a personal assistant job through randstad
Finding your assistant job through Randstad provides essential advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of options in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract?

A temporary job as a personal assistant is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent career. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

4

education and skills

Formal educational requirements are not necessary for personal assistants. However, completing coursework on business administration can help you stand out from your peers and gain practical skills for building a professional network.

Most personal assistants complete a Level 3 or 4 New Zealand Certificate in Business (administration and technology) or a Diploma in Business, which helps them develop the business acumen necessary for running office functions. You also need work experience to increase your chances of landing a job. You can try entry-level reception jobs or become an office secretary to learn relevant skills in the role. The more experience you acquire, the easier it is to move into higher positions.

skills and competencies

In addition to administrative experience, specific skills, talents and natural abilities work in favour of successful PAs. They include:

Organisation: most PAs are required to multitask. Being able to prioritise is an important skill. Multiple projects in various stages of completion require organisational ability.
Flexibility: things rarely go as planned. This is true in business as well as in life. As a PA, you need to be able to think quickly and make decisions to keep projects on track.
Tact and discretion: not all managers are easy to work with. It can be tempting to vent frustrations to co-workers or on social media. However, it is always best to refrain from discussing the negative aspects of your job except with the most trusted individuals.
Oral and written communication: Your instructions to junior staff, clients, and suppliers must be clear and concise. This is important whether the instructions are spoken or written.
Discretion: as a PA, you are often privy to confidential information. It is vital for senior management to feel comfortable that intimate minutes or client meetings will be kept private.
Time management: to be a successful personal assistant, your manager must trust that any assignments will be completed on time, efficiently and thoroughly. One of the main reasons managers employ PAs is to avoid getting bogged down with administrative duties.

5

FAQs about working as a personal assistant

Here are the most asked questions about working as a personal assistant:

what exactly does a personal assistant do?

A personal assistant provides individual support to another person, such as an executive, celebrity or politician. In this position, your role is to keep your manager on schedule and handle time-consuming administrative duties for them.
what qualifications do you need for a personal assistant?

There are no standard degrees required to become a personal assistant. However, most companies will look favourably at candidates with qualifications. If you want to become a personal assistant, it's good to have administrative skills and experience.
is personal assistant a good career?

Being a PA is a rewarding and often exciting career. In this position, you will have a direct positive effect on your manager. If you love working with people, enjoy multitasking and don't mind the stress of deadlines, you will love this position.
what skills do you need to be a PA?

Skills like knowledge of a foreign language, shorthand and audio typing will help you get an edge on the competition. Inside a specific industry or field, experience in it can also be very useful.
does a personal assistant perform the same duties as an executive assistant?

A personal assistant performs administrative and clerical duties for a specific manager. However, an executive assistant has more responsibilities, including hiring workers and managing other teams on behalf of the executive they work for.
how do I apply for a personal assistant vacancy?
Applying for a personal assistant job is easy:
1. create a Randstad profile and search our personal assistant job offers.
2. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter.
Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

personal assistant.