Finding yourself in the position of needing a personal assistant isn’t always a bad place to be. The fact that you need one must mean that things are going well for you right now.
However, it’s really important that you do not rush this decision, otherwise you might find yourself making some pretty avoidable mistakes.
The role of a personal assistant, either in a personal or professional capacity, touches every part of your life, so you need to make sure you’re a great fit before you commit to hiring someone.
Let’s take a look at some things to keep in mind when choosing your personal assistant.
Define Your Needs First
This has to be the first thing you consider when it comes to hiring a personal assistant. A personal assistant from a business standpoint will mean they’re taking on tasks that can be anything from calendar management to travel coordination and client liaison, which is vastly different from a personal assistant for your private life. Not all job roles will be the same, and not all personal assistants will have the same skill set.
The scope can, and does vary, and you need to be aware of this prior to starting your search. Write down the specific tasks you’ll need them to do or might come across within their job role with you. Note the frequency and volume of the work, as this will mean you’ll have a better idea of the candidates who fit this role when you get to the interview stage.
The Right Vetting Processes
Vetting your personal assistant can be time-consuming, and you need to get it right the first time.
This is where partnering with an expert staffing agency comes into the picture. They’ll know exactly what to look for, how to vet all candidates, and what makes someone unsuitable for your needs.
Working with an expert household staffing company means your personal assistant for your household or your business will be subject to agency pre-screening, their experience will be verified, and they’ll be matched based on your specific requirements, removing the need for you to sift through a stack of resumes.
Experience to Your Requirements
Ideally, you’ll want a personal assistant who is adept at working in the environment you’ll be putting them into. That’s not to say someone with no experience can’t rise to the challenge and fulfill the role perfectly. But in the first instance, you need to know they understand the environment they’ll be working in and have experience to match.
Will they be managing household logistics, meaning they’ll need experience managing different types of staff and schedules to get people where they need to be, as well as booking and managing appointments? Or will they be thrust into more of a creative business role where they need to think fast and be on the pulse of what is going on in the creative world right now? Experience matters here.
Their Communication Style
You need to be on the same page regarding communication. And this can often be one of the most overlooked aspects of hiring a personal assistant. They’ll be working closely with you, and this means you’ll need to ensure that you can both communicate clearly with each other. On top of this, you’ll also need to focus on how they communicate with others, too. Do they write an email as you would or how you prefer it to be sent? How do they handle difficult calls or situations? How do they represent you? This can initially be difficult to capture in the interview process, but asking the right questions and paying attention to their responses will give you an idea of whether or not they’re the right fit.
