How to Become a PA?
Do you feel passionate about helping someone else with their daily routines? If you are selfless enough to sacrifice your time and energy in making another person’s life great, and ensuring their office and professional activities are organised, then a PA job role will be perfect for you.
A PA or personal assistant can be described as someone who is hired to help an individual with the management of their daily life. The PA is responsible for scheduling meetings, taking notes, and answering calls among other duties. They are required to offer secretarial and administrative support to managers, companies and any other individual who needs assistance.
The responsibilities of a PA vary from one company to another. It mostly depends on who you work for, their line of work and the tasks they want you to handle.
Qualifying To Become a Personal Assistant
There is no specific degree or certificate offered just to people interested in becoming personal assistants. PA jobs are mostly provided to people who have studied other courses related to business and management and also have experience in the field. Nonetheless, possessing a degree can go a long way in helping you stand out from other people applying for the same position.
But, what are the required skills? Okay, we are going to answer the question by outlining some of the required skills expected of a Personal Assistant or PA.
Organizational Skills
Great organisational skills create the perfect foundation for any PA. This is because these skills are put to use every day. You will be required to organise documents, schedule meetings, book business trips, answer calls, send and respond to emails and do many other duties.
Time Management Skills
Being good at keeping time is also very important if you are to become an excellent PA. You are responsible for your boss’s schedule, and this means that you should always be on time. By being an excellent keeper of time, you ensure that your boss’s day goes smoothly, all meetings are attended and appointments are attended to.
Good Written and Verbal Communication Skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential and will be used in your career. You need to be able to converse clearly and efficiently in the written word or spoken word. Remember that you represent your boss. You need to be articulated in written and oral communication.
Excellent IT Skills
You are required to be able to use a computer and other gadgets that require IT knowledge. You need to be proficient in Microsoft Office packages such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. You are also required to know your way around email clients, how to use the internet and even how to use an electronic calendar.
Fast Learner
When working as a PA, you are coming into an environment where you are expected to blend well with your boss’s everyday life. For this reason, you are required to be a quick learner. Within the first few days of your appointment, you need to be able to plan your boss’s schedule throughout the day.
Presentable At Work
As a PA, you need to remember that you represent the company and your boss. Therefore, you need to look at the part. You need to dress well, look good and feel good about yourself and your job. Self-confidence can go a long way when you are a PA.
Good Team Player
A personal assistant should be able to work with a team. As much as your focus is mostly on your boss, you need to be able to work with other people in the office to complete tasks efficiently. Being a team player will go a long way in making your work easy.
PA Courses
With the above skill sets and the right qualification, you will be able to become the best PA anyone can have. Stop whatever you are doing right now, and start investing in your career as a personal assistant. At IEAA we have several training providers that deliver our PA Certificate Course – Level 3 and our PA Diploma – Level 3. Please have a look at the pages for more information, if you would like to qualify as a PA.
