Also known as an executive assistant, a personal assistant provides help and support to the upper management of a company. Some of their day-to-day duties often include replying to correspondence on behalf of executive team, preparing of meeting rooms for clients and providing directional assistance to other employees within the company. Some other duties involve the screening of phone calls, meeting and greeting visitors of all seniority, as well as making travel arrangements, such as booking hotels and flights.
A personal assistant is generally the first point of contact for a manager from both internal and external enquiries. The qualifications needed to become a personal assistant vary from job to job, while business training is definitely considered to be an advantage. Personal assistants are are essential to an executive team, and the ability to work unsupervised and use their initiative is highly desirable. The average salary for this position in the UK is roughly £18,000 per year.

• Multitasking
• Technology skills
• Discretion
• Enthusiasm and drive
• Initiative
• Professionalism
• Adeptness and reliability
• Listening and communication
• Organisation
• Good memory
• Flexibility

Personal Assistants may hold a number of qualifications. These may include a Degree in Business Administration or Management. Other acceptable certifications can be in secretarial, clerical or office studies. Employers may accept graduates who are new to the work force and have only GCSE qualifications.
Knowledge of a foreign language is also an asset. Other valuable training includes computer skills and project management. Valid certifications include City and Guilds, Education Development International LCCI diploma or certificate, NVQ/SVQ, BTEC, HND and OCR / RSA.