
How to become a personal assistant: 5 steps to get started
Updated February 2025
A personal assistant (PA) is a professional who supports an individual, often their employer, by managing their daily business and personal tasks. The purpose of a PA is to help the individual stay organized and efficient.
Think of things like scheduling meetings and managing travel arrangements—these are the kinds of tasks a personal assistant performs to keep things running smoothly.
This could be the perfect career path for you if you enjoy multitasking and staying organized to help others.
Let’s break down everything you need to know to become a successful personal assistant.
How to become a personal assistant
Becoming a personal assistant requires a mix of skills, training, and experience (like any job!) Follow these steps to get started:
Step 1: Understand the role
It’s crucial to understand the breadth of tasks a personal assistant might be responsible for. These can include:
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Managing schedules and calendars.
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Coordinating travel arrangements.
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Organizing meetings and events.
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Maintaining databases and filing systems.
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Running errands and managing personal requests.
This last bullet point reflects the variety of roles. The individual you are an assistant to will have a considerable effect on your day-to-day work. Picture the PA role as shown in The Devil Wears Prada, and you get a comical view of how your employer’s personality and profession will affect your daily workday.
Step 2: Develop key skills
Successful personal assistants excel in areas such as:
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Time management skills.
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Organizational skills.
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Administration skills.
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Interpersonal skills.
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Problem-solving abilities.
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Familiarity with tech tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams).
The Executive and Personal Assistants Online Certificate Course from Courses for Success is an excellent starting point to develop these skills.
Step 3: Gain experience
Experience in any admin role can provide a strong foundation for becoming a PA. Job titles like Office Manager or Administrative Assistant are related and will help you develop transferable skills. If you’re just starting out, internships or entry-level positions in office settings are suitable opportunities to gain experience and start building your expertise in administrative tasks.
What is key about this experience is that it should give you an appreciation for how the skills of a personal assistant help keep things ticking over for an individual; they are often the beating heart of a busy office.
Step 4: Choose a specialty
There are many types of personal assistant roles. Determine your preferred niche by considering your interests and strengths. A personal assistant for a human rights lawyer, compared to a bank manager, will deal with different things daily. The industry you land in can make a drastic difference to your day-to-day enjoyment of the role.
Step 5: Build a network
Networking often proves crucial in finding personal assistant jobs. This isn't surprising given the personal nature of the role and the close working relationship that develops. Many PAs rely on referrals to get an in-demand role.
Attend industry events, join professional associations, and leverage platforms like LinkedIn to connect with potential employers or mentors.
Personal assistant vs executive assistant
There is a significant overlap in these two roles. Yet, while they both involve supporting individuals, there are key differences.
A personal assistant manages a blend of personal and professional tasks for an individual, with the responsibilities outlined above.
An executive assistant, on the other hand, provides high-level admin support to senior managers. Their tasks include:
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Preparing reports
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Organizing meetings
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Managing corporate correspondence
Their primary focus is on professional and business priorities.
While personal assistants often support personal and even household needs, executive assistants don’t—they concentrate only on organizational goals within the corporate setting.
This distinction should help you choose your ideal path. If you have an interest in and an aptitude for business, an executive assistant role could be more enticing than a personal assistant role, where your duties would include much closer management of an individual’s personal life.
What are the different types of personal assistants?
Personal assistants work in various industries, each with unique requirements and responsibilities. The industry you work in will, therefore, have a great impact on the shape of the role:
1. Celebrity personal assistants
A celebrity personal assistant helps public figures manage their schedules, coordinate travel, and handle personal errands. Part of a celebrity personal assistant’s role may involve working closely with that celebrity’s PR team.
2. Corporate personal assistants
Not to be confused with an executive assistant, a corporate personal assistant supports executives in a corporate environment. A corporate personal assistant will assist with an individual’s personal arrangements in addition to any tasks associated with running the business.
3. Virtual personal assistants
A virtual personal assistant is a growing role that has become prevalent as remote technology has improved. A virtual personal assistant provides remote support for clients, focusing on admin tasks in which a physically close relationship isn’t needed. A VPA can help with scheduling, maintaining databases, and managing emails, all without ever meeting the individual face-to-face.
Is it hard to become a personal assistant?
Becoming a personal assistant can be challenging since the work can often look different day-to-day; the role requires a constant balancing of competing priorities, and you must adapt to the personality of the person you’re working for.
Yet, a strong grounding in the fundamentals should gear you up for success. This includes organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and proper training. With these competencies in your locker, you’ll likely find the role both achievable and rewarding.
Getting started is often the trickiest part. To learn those fundamentals, sign up for a relevant course and try to get some hands-on experience in an office context. When applying for jobs, ensure you demonstrate the skills you have learned that you can bring to the table.
What personal assistant courses are available for study?
Courses for Success offers a range of courses to help you excel, ranging from soft skills upgrades to more technical hard skills learning opportunities:
Armed with these skills, you should have everything you need to succeed in a PA role.
Career insights and advice
Personal assistants can earn competitive salaries. Higher earnings are attainable for more specialized roles, like those in the executive space.
According to Glassdoor, the median salary for a personal assistant in the US in 2024 is $59k/yr. The total pay range for personal assistants on Glassdoor is $44k-$81k/yr. This broad range reflects the variety of potential personal assistant roles.
Somebody just starting out in an entry-level role at a local company is going to command a significantly lower salary than somebody in contention for a role with a high-profile celebrity or the CEO of a multinational.
In terms of career growth, there isn’t a clear path for progression for personal assistants other than more high-paying roles for more important people as you gain more experience.
Tips for success:
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Stay adaptable to different personalities.
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Continuously upgrade your tech and organizational skills.
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Be curious about your industry: legal, financial services, management & consulting, etc.
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Build strong relationships with clients and colleagues.
Summing up
Becoming a personal assistant is a fulfilling career path that offers plenty of variety and challenges.
If you’re a people person, you get the chance to immerse yourself in a team and build relationships with your colleagues. This is even true for virtual personal assistants, who still need to develop bonds with fellow staff, often using tools like Zoom or Google Meet to chat with colleagues.
With the right training, you can thrive in this role. You’ll need to supplement your training with a drive to succeed and to learn the quirks of each individual and role on the job.
Start your journey today with the Executive and Personal Assistants Online Certificate Course from Courses for Success.
FAQs
What is the average salary for a personal assistant?
Salaries vary, but entry-level positions often start around $40,000, with experienced PAs earning upwards of $70,000 annually.
Do personal assistants travel with their employers?
Yes, sometimes. Many personal assistants manage travel arrangements. If needed, they may accompany their employer on work trips. It will depend on your specific duties and responsibilities.
What tools do personal assistants use?
Common tools include:
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Microsoft Teams or Slack (communication tools).
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Google Workspace.
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Project management software like Asana or Trello.
These tools help you as you go about your daily tasks, which is essential in many personal assistant settings.
Can I work as a personal assistant remotely?
Yes, virtual personal assistant jobs are becoming increasingly popular and allow for remote work flexibility.