As a PA recruitment agency in the capital, we often speak to those doing PA jobs in London. We love chatting to them and getting insider info on what it’s like to be in their shoes. This helps to inspire future candidates and helps you decide whether this is the career for you. Today, we spoke to top PA Kat:
What type of PA job in London do you do?
I’m currently a PA to two main directors, but I also support the entire board. This is within the financial sector and based in the City.
How did you find this role?
I came to this role through doing temp work in London (through Love Success). However, this was the first time I found a position this way. I’m now on a permanent contract.
What are your daily duties as a PA?
I do a lot of different things each day. Diary management is a big part. I spend quite a bit of time arranging meetings and conferences and all that entails. I handle most of the correspondence for the directors. There are a large number of admin tasks including filing and photocopying. I keep the office organised and this involves everything from organising supplies through to some facilities management. I handle all travel organisation for the directors, both within the UK and overseas.
I also line-manage two junior PAs. It’s their role primarily to answer and make calls, and monitor emails. However, I get involved where needed and give them direction. I create PowerPoints as needed and help the directors prepare for presentations. I oversee their management of expenses. I also greet clients and guests and ensure they’re looked after.
What skills are important to your role?
I’m very experienced as a PA, having worked in PA, executive assistant, and office support roles for many years. It’s vital that my computer literacy skills are top-notch. I am the office Excel guru! My PowerPoint skills are also very important.
Communication skills are crucial too. My telephone manner must reflect the professionalism of the business and the directors. This also needs to be the case in all emails, letters, and documentation. As my role has developed to manage two other PAs, I needed to develop my own managerial skills to ensure the smooth and friendly running of our team.
Organisational skills are an absolute must for a Personal Assistant. Even when the directors are painfully disorganised, it’s our job to create order!
What personality traits do you think help you as a PA?
I’m a very energetic and proactive person. I think that really helps in the environment I work in as it’s so fast-paced, especially as I’m supporting a number of people, not just one. As part of this, I’m very self-motivated. I’m also a stickler for detail.
Despite my energy, I’m also very consistent. I don’t get into a flap when deadlines are pushing down or something goes wrong. I just get on with it. This is vital and comes from being confident in what I do and how I interact with other people.
I also think it’s important to be diplomatic. Sometimes there are competing demands on my time, yet I also need to be able to act with sensitivity and discretion.
Would you recommend being a PA in London to others
Sure! I love what I do and who I work for.
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