Pa Jobs Forum

This Forum has been created for sharing knowledge, experiences and opinions between users and for professional growth.

• PA requirements Sonia Last updated by Sonia: 24-Apr-2017 View last comments

  I've been teaching since I graduated and I'd love to make a career change. I've been thinking about trying in the field of PAs. When you look at job ads, the list of requirements is soo long, and also it changes from offer to offer. Can anybody help me with what the basic requirement would be? Also, does anybody have the experience of trying to go into an assistant job without specific training? Thanks!

  Add comment
  • Lucy:

    You'll be expected to have good organisational, written, spoken, computer and administration skills, good at time management, a professional manner, discretion, among many others, I would consider these as the essential ones in the role.

    20-Apr-2017 Reply to Lucy
  • Anne:

    You must be good at organising yourself your tasks and your time. Computer literate. Very good at written and spoken communication. Autonomous and with initiative. The pay you can expect as a starter will probably be between 18k and 25k.

    20-Apr-2017 Reply to Anne
  • Sonia:

    Thank you both for your comments. Have you got much experience in the field? Do you come from a different sector like me or have you always worked as a PA?

    20-Apr-2017 Reply to Sonia
    • Lucy:

      I finished my secretarial studies a couple of years ago and I've been on and off, but always in secretarial jobs.

      20-Apr-2017 Reply to Lucy
    • Anne:

      I’ve always worked as a PA, can’t help much with advice about the change. I’ve worked with people who came from different professions and honestly, they never seemed to have any problems. The only thing is that if/when competing with a specifically trained person you’ll have a slight disadvantage, but that’s all. Best

      24-Apr-2017 Reply to Anne
    • Mary:

      I’m trying a career change too! I’m a bit nervous about it, but I think I can make it. I’ve been working as an accountant for the past few years. I think that although they’re different roles I think that they have many things in common, like capacity to organise your tasks and time and to follow up on different issues over time.

      24-Apr-2017 Reply to Mary
    • Julia:

      I was a teacher too, and started working as a PA a couple of years ago. My contract is over now, but I’m confident I’ll get a job again.

      24-Apr-2017 Reply to Julia
  • Sonia:

    Thank you guys! This is so encouraging. I've applied to an opening - more will follow . Wish me luck!

    24-Apr-2017 Reply to Sonia
  Add comment