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From Humble Beginnings to Executive Success: Lessons and Values That Have Shaped My Journey
In the early days of my life, my parents instilled in me a fundamental lesson that has guided me not only in my...
Personal Assistants
Everything you need to know.
From why to hire a Personal Assistant and how much a PA costs to what PAs are looking for in an ideal employer.
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How to Hire Your Perfect PA
Everything you need to hire your perfect PA.
What is a Personal Assistant?
When considering personal assistant hire, many think of purely administrative and transactional tasks. However, the role of a Personal Assistant has evolved significantly, with many Pas, especially Senior PAs, taking on more strategic duties typically associated with Executive Assistants. Whether you're looking for a personal assistant for personal or business support, or seeking help from personal assistant recruitment agencies, the role can be invaluable.
A PA helps to streamline daily tasks, manage schedules, and handle crucial business responsibilities, allowing the principal to focus on what truly matters. A Personal Assistant is responsible for ensuring smooth operations and reducing time pressure on executives and business leaders. The PA or EA debate often arises as their duties overlap, but both roles are pivotal.
Personal Assistants typically manage diaries, book travel, handle emails and calls, conduct research, and provide general administrative support. Whether you're in an office, home, or remote setting, private PAs can be instrumental in ensuring efficient operations. If you're looking to hire a PA, this role can be transformative, offering essential support to boost productivity.
What is the difference between a Personal Assistant (PA) and an Executive Assistant (EA)?
The line between Personal Assistant and Executive Assistant roles has blurred over the years. With technological advancements, PAs and EAs have become more strategic, often crossing over in their responsibilities. If you need a personal assistant who handles everything from managing personal affairs to business operations, or you're considering private PAs, the distinction can sometimes be minor.
A PA traditionally manages personal and administrative duties such as, diaries, meetings, and travel arrangements. In contrast, an EA typically plays a more proactive role in decision-making and strategy. While job titles vary between industries, someone in a PA role may perform the duties of an EA, depending on the organisation's needs.
You can read more about the role of an Executive Assistant (EA) here.
Why Hire a Personal Assistant?
If you're an executive or entrepreneur with a packed schedule, hiring a personal assistant can help you regain valuable time. A PA helps maximise productivity by managing tasks like travel arrangements, meeting coordination, and email triage, freeing you up to focus on business growth. The benefits of a personal assistant hire extend beyond just time management, they also help streamline processes and act as a critical support system.
For those who need a personal assistant to ensure smoother business operations, consider reaching out to PA recruitment agencies that specialise in finding the perfect match. The right hire can add significant value to your day-to-day operations.
"If you don't have an assistant, you are an assistant."
Jeff Hoffman, Founder of Priceline.com
The benefits of hiring a Personal Assistant
Here are just some of the benefits we believe there to be when hiring a Personal Assistant:
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To add strategic input and help to grow your business
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To build relationships
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To give you time back in your day
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To keep you organised
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To solve business problems
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To act as a decision-maker
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To strengthen your culture and brand
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To boost your productivity
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To enable you to have work/life balance
Whilst it can be difficult or challenging to quantify the value that a Personal Assistant adds to the bottom line, one way to view it is as a percentage of the time, and therefore the salary, of the executive or executive team that they support. Senior Personal Assistants can give executives up to 80% of their time back to focus on other imperatives to enhance the business – how much do those initiatives add to the bottom line, too?
In that sense, you could view the Personal Assistant role not as a gatekeeper of people, but of time. The right Personal Assistant hire can give you back your time and maximise your return on investment to the business. When you consider that executives spend, on average, 58% of their time on emails, a simple email triage system implemented by even the most junior of Personal Assistants can reduce the time spent on emails to circa 12%. Instantly, an executive has 46% of their time back, to add value elsewhere.
Of course, facilitating business growth is just one element of the role. When you add in the cost savings that a commercially astute Personal Assistant can bring in terms of travel, events, and leveraging technology to enhance and streamline processes and procedures, the financial benefit for the business grows exponentially.
"The manager and the assistant do the same job, they have the same objectives, they simply carry out different tasks to achieve those objectives."
Heather Baker, Founder of Baker Thompson Associates
When you hire a PA, the benefits are clear: time savings, increased productivity, and strategic input that can help you grow your business. A personal assistant can handle administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on key business decisions. Additionally, they can act as a decision-maker in your absence, manage relationships, and ensure seamless operations within your company.
For anyone looking for a personal assistant, a PA hire will ensure that your workload is efficiently managed. With strong organisational skills and the ability to handle everything from time-sensitive travel arrangements to meeting preparation, the right PA or EA will strengthen your business and allow you to focus on core responsibilities.
The right personal assistant recruitment agency will help you find a PA who understands your needs and is an asset to your organisation. Whether you're looking for a personal assistant for personal or business support or seeking a private PA to handle more confidential tasks, the right hire will enhance your productivity and organisation.
Why You Should Consider a PA Agency
A PA agency can streamline the process of finding the right personal assistant for your business. With their expertise in matching candidates to client needs, personal assistant recruitment agencies ensure you find the best talent to support your executive or business operations. Whether you’re looking to hire a PA for day-to-day administrative support or need someone with more strategic capabilities, working with a PA recruitment agency is a sensible move.
Every executive or entrepreneur who wants to maximise their productivity should consider hiring a personal assistant. By delegating tasks such as diary management, travel arrangements, and meeting coordination, you can focus on high-level business strategy. In turn, a personal assistant will handle the minutiae, allowing you to make better use of your time.
Hiring a PA is not just about having someone handle your schedule; it's about having an individual who can anticipate your needs, streamline your processes, and ensure that your focus is always on what's important. Whether you're looking to hire a PA or curious about what differentiates a PA from an EA, the right assistant can make a significant impact on your productivity and overall business success.
Starting Your Search for a Personal Assistant
If you're looking for a personal assistant or exploring personal assistant hire options, it’s crucial to understand what top PAs are seeking in a role. Knowing what Personal Assistants value will help you stand out when working with personal assistant recruitment agencies, ensuring your role is attractive to the best talent.
When you hire a PA, it’s essential to offer a competitive salary. According to our Salary & Market Insights Survey, two-thirds of Personal Assistants would consider leaving their current role for a 5% pay rise. 54.3% said an annual bonus would make them stay in a role longer, with another 32.4% saying it may influence their decision. For companies looking for a personal assistant, offering competitive pay and benefits is essential to attract and retain top-tier talent. Consider incorporating annual salary reviews and discretionary bonuses to remain competitive in the market.
Flexibility is a key factor for many private PAs and personal assistants. Offering remote or hybrid working options can significantly improve work-life balance and job satisfaction. Companies that offer flexible working environments will have an edge when attracting top candidates.
A positive company culture is another essential factor when you’re trying to hire a PA. 58% of Personal Assistants in our survey said they have left or would consider leaving a job due to negative office politics or an unhealthy work culture. When looking for a personal assistant, emphasising your company’s positive and inclusive culture can help you attract high-calibre talent. Make sure your job descriptions, website, and social media reflect your values and work environment to stand out from other companies.
Training and development are critical when you're thinking about how to hire a PA. More than half of the professionals we surveyed felt their employer needed to offer more training and upskilling opportunities. If you can provide avenues for growth, such as extra training or skill development, you will appeal to top candidates and show them that you're invested in their long-term success. Consider partnering with our sister company, eavolve to enhance your training offerings, ensuring that your PAs have access to the tools they need to excel in their roles.
Once you've considered what Personal Assistants want, you're ready to begin your search. Crafting an enticing job description and ensuring your salary offer is competitive are both key. Whether you choose to hire a PA through a PA recruitment agency or directly, your job listing should be clear, informative, and appealing.
For more tips on how to write an effective job description, download our free guide on how to hire a PA below. We've also created a Personal Assistant Job Description template for clients which you can assess here.
The recruitment process
After creating a well-structured job description, the next step is to refine your recruitment process. While industry-specific experience can be beneficial, cultural fit and attitude are often more important. A great Personal Assistant can quickly adapt to a new industry. It’s easier to teach specific skills than to train for attitude, as Simon Sinek famously said: "You don’t hire for skills, you hire for attitude."
The final hurdle in your search for a personal assistant is the interview process. The goal is to ensure the candidate is a good fit for your company, both in terms of skills and personality. Here are some strategies:
CV-Based Discussion
Use the candidate's CV to dig deeper into their experience and skills. Ask specific questions like:
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Who did you support in your previous roles?
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What was your biggest achievement?
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What transferable skills did you gain?
These questions help ease the candidate into the interview and let you explore their experience.
Cultural Fit and Personality
A good cultural fit is key when you're looking for a personal assistant. Ask questions like:
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How would you describe your ideal work environment?
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What has been your favourite role and why?
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How would your manager describe you?
These questions provide insights into whether the candidate’s working style and personality align with your company.
If you’re deciding between several strong personal assistant candidates, you might want to include some form of testing. Testing can add objectivity to the decision-making process, helping you find the best fit.
Psychometric Testing: This can provide valuable insights into the candidate’s personality and work style.
Software Skills Test: Assess their proficiency with programs like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Prioritisation Exercise: Provide a list of tasks and ask the candidates to order them by priority. This helps gauge their decision-making abilities.
By integrating testing into your recruitment process, you can feel confident in your personal assistant hire.
If you're considering hiring a PA or exploring the difference between a PA or EA, make sure your recruitment process is structured, thoughtful and designed to find the best fit for your business. For more detailed advice on how to hire a personal assistant, download our guide below for expert help.
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How to hire your perfect PA
Everything you need to hire your perfect Personal Assistant.
Personal Assistant Salaries: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Assistant (PA)?
When considering Personal Assistant salaries, it’s essential to understand that compensation varies based on location, responsibilities, and experience levels. In London, the average salary for permanent Personal Assistants ranges from £45,000 to £60,000 per annum, with contract rates typically between £20 and £26 per hour. In Manchester, permanent PA roles generally attract salaries of £30,000 to £40,000 per annum, with hourly contract rates of £15 to £20. Across the UK, permanent PA positions average £30,000 to £40,000, with similar hourly rates for temporary roles.
While Personal Assistant salaries are typically lower than those of Executive Assistants, the specific responsibilities can vary significantly across different organisations and sectors. In fact, PA salaries are increasingly reflecting responsibilities traditionally associated with Executive Assistants, although this trend varies by industry.
As the demand for hybrid support roles, such as PA/Office Manager positions, continues to grow, traditional one-to-one assistant roles are becoming rarer. In sectors like financial services, Personal Assistants often support multiple principals of varying seniority levels, which can lead to increased responsibilities and higher salaries.
Recent trends indicate a shift in Personal Assistant roles from traditional legal secretary positions to more dynamic and strategic roles within legal firms. Major companies are leveraging technology to pool administrative resources, presenting PAs with opportunities to add value beyond conventional administrative functions.
Importance of Regular Pay Reviews
Regular pay reviews are crucial for retaining top talent in the competitive Personal Assistant recruitment market. While salary remains a critical factor for PAs, a comprehensive benefits package is essential to attract and retain high-calibre candidates. Flexible benefits solutions are increasingly popular, allowing employees to choose perks that suit their needs or opt for cash equivalents, enhancing their overall job satisfaction.
Future Predictions for Personal Assistants
Recruitment trends suggest that Personal Assistants and Executive Assistants within the financial services sector will continue to support multiple principals, often commanding higher salaries than their counterparts in other industries. Our research indicates that Executive Assistants who provide comprehensive, strategic support for a single principal typically earn higher salaries. This trend suggests a growing demand for the Executive Business Partner role as the responsibilities of experienced EAs evolve, indicating a shift in the landscape of Personal Assistant recruitment.
For more insights on how to hire a Personal Assistant and current salary benchmarks, please visit our resources or contact us directly. Our expertise in PA recruitment ensures you find the right talent for your business needs.
Personal Assistant Training and Development
Our annual salary surveys consistently show that the ability to progress or upskill is the most sought-after factor for the majority of Personal Assistants in the job market. This desire for professional growth is the primary reason many candidates seek new opportunities: they feel there is no room for advancement in their current roles. Furthermore, a staggering 82.7% of secretarial and support staff actively seek personal development options, making this a crucial differentiator for businesses aiming to attract top talent.
As an employer, offering your Personal Assistants opportunities for additional responsibilities, training, and upskilling can significantly enhance employee retention. Promoting clear career progression pathways not only fosters loyalty but also results in lower attrition rates and higher engagement levels. When employees see a future with their company, they feel supported and valued, which, in turn, boosts productivity. Research indicates that employees are more likely to invest their efforts in companies that invest in their growth.
Encouraging progression within a Personal Assistant role empowers PAs to take ownership of tasks and projects, allowing them to engage more deeply with various areas of the business. By investing in your Personal Assistants and challenging them to step outside their daily responsibilities, you enable them to become more strategic contributors, driving the business forward. For further training options and professional development programmes, consider partnering with Eavolve, where we specialise in providing tailored training solutions designed to enhance your team's skills and career progression.
Ask the expert
We asked Emily Mills, Director of eavolve, what advice would she would give to employers looking to attract and retain top Personal Assistants in today’s competitive market:
"One of the most effective strategies is to prioritise professional development. Personal Assistants are eager for opportunities to grow their skills and advance their careers. By offering training programmes and clear pathways for progression, employers can demonstrate their commitment to their staff's long-term success. This not only helps retain top talent but also creates a more motivated and engaged workforce.
Additionally, encouraging PAs to take on new responsibilities and projects can help them feel valued and integral to the company’s success. It's about creating a culture where learning and growth are embraced, and employees are empowered to take ownership of their roles."
Personal Assistant Recruitment Agencies
When an employee leaves due to resignation, holidays, maternity leave, illness, or retirement, finding suitable temporary or permanent staff can be a challenging and time-consuming task. Many companies may feel hesitant to use recruitment agencies if they’ve had negative experiences in the past. However, partnering with the right Personal Assistant recruitment agency can save you time, effort, and money, while ensuring that you find the best candidate to suit your needs.
At Lily Shippen, we have partnered with clients across various industries in the UK and internationally, providing them with exceptional PA recruitment services. Whether you need cover for a day, a week, or a permanent Personal Assistant hire, our specialist recruitment services can support your requirements.
We understand that choosing the right Personal Assistant recruitment agency can feel overwhelming. To help, we’ve highlighted key things to consider when selecting the best PA recruitment agency to meet your business needs.
Choose a Specialist PA Recruitment Agency
When recruiting for a specific role like a Personal Assistant, it’s vital to work with a specialist PA recruitment agency rather than a general one. A specialist agency focused on secretarial recruitment, will have a deeper understanding of the role and the specific skill sets required.
Personal Assistant roles vary widely depending on the company or individual being supported. A specialist PA recruitment agency will understand these nuances, ensuring that your unique requirements are met and helping you find the best talent.
Specialist agencies also tend to have a more extensive database of high-calibre candidates. They often receive higher quality CVs than those gathered through general job boards or agencies, as they take time to thoroughly vet each candidate, assessing their skills, experience, motivations, and expectations. By working with a Personal Assistant recruitment specialist, you can streamline the recruitment process and secure the ideal candidate faster.
Check Reviews and Previous Partnerships
When considering a PA recruitment agency, take time to review client testimonials, candidate feedback, and case studies. Positive reviews from other Personal Assistants and businesses can give you confidence in the agency’s reputation and their ability to deliver high-quality candidates.
A PA recruitment agency with glowing reviews and a strong track record of successful partnerships is likely to deliver excellent service and results, making them a trustworthy choice for your business.
Evaluate Company Values
Understanding the values of a secretarial recruitment agency is essential when choosing the right partner. Look for an agency that clearly lists its values on its website, as this can provide insights into their ethics, commitment, and how they operate with both clients and candidates. Their mission statement should align with your company’s goals and values, helping to foster a successful, long-term relationship.
Review Social Media Activity
A Personal Assistant recruitment agency that actively engages with its community on social media often goes the extra mile. Look for agencies that share valuable content, such as advice for Personal Assistants, workshops for candidates, or additional services such as free replacements if a candidate leaves within a certain time period.
Active social media presence and regular updates show that the agency is passionate about the Personal Assistant profession and committed to adding value to its network. Such agencies are likely to go above and beyond to find the perfect PA hire for your business.
Ask Your Network
Sometimes, the best way to find a reliable PA recruitment agency is through recommendations from your professional network. Peers or other hiring managers may have already worked with the agency you are considering and can offer first-hand insights into their experience.
Many Personal Assistant recruitment agencies also maintain a strong presence on platforms like LinkedIn, where you can check their endorsements, client testimonials, and reputation. Asking around can help confirm whether the agency is a good fit for your company’s recruitment needs.
At Lily Shippen we are proud to say that 83% of our business comes from client referrals, demonstrating our strong reputation in the Personal Assistant recruitment sector.
Schedule an Introductory Meeting
Before committing to a recruitment agency, it’s a good idea to arrange a meeting, either in person or virtually. This gives the agency an opportunity to present their services, explain their recruitment process, and highlight how they can meet your specific needs. A strong presentation shows that they’ve done their homework and are committed to finding the best Personal Assistant for your business.
At Lily Shippen, we prioritise meeting clients face-to-face, whenever possible. This helps us gain a deeper understanding of your company culture, expectations, and the exact type of PA you need. By building this relationship, we can ensure that the Personal Assistant hire we recommend will seamlessly integrate into your team from day one.
By following these steps, you can confidently select the right Personal Assistant recruitment agency to support your business. Whether you're looking for a private PA, an Executive Assistant, or any other secretarial recruitment need, partnering with a trusted specialist agency can help you find the perfect candidate quickly and efficiently.
For more information about our PA recruitment services or to discuss your specific requirements, contact Lily Shippen today.
Why partner with Lily Shippen?
Since launching in 2016, we have established ourselves as the leading specialist in connecting start-ups, high-net-worth individuals, and blue-chip companies with exceptional Personal Assistants and business support professionals – both in the UK and internationally. Our tailored recruitment solutions, offered from our offices in Manchester and London, are designed to meet your company’s specific needs. We also provide training and qualifications to upskill the talent you employ, ensuring your team remains competitive in today’s fast-paced environment.
Founded with a vision to build meaningful, long-term relationships with clients and candidates alike, we adopt a proactive, personal approach to connecting exceptional PAs and business support professionals with outstanding employers.
Our expertise in recruiting top business support talent is unparalleled. With nearly thirty years of combined experience, our team excels in sourcing Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants, Virtual Assistants, Chiefs of Staff, Receptionists, Executive Business Partners, Office Managers, Celebrity Personal Assistants, and private household staff, among other roles. We offer bespoke recruitment solutions tailored to your needs, ranging from one-day temporary cover to maternity leave replacements and permanent contracts.
Our service is driven by deep industry knowledge. As a boutique human resources and business support agency, we possess an unrivalled understanding of what excellence looks like across all levels of the profession. From front-of-house temporary roles to permanent Chiefs of Staff, we ensure that our candidates are thoroughly vetted and well understood, allowing us to customise our recruitment service effectively. This commitment helps you secure the best talent for your business, guaranteeing success in your hiring process.
