Personal Assistants

  • The Job
  • The Facts
  • Related Courses

What the job involves

  • Liaising with other staff on matters relating to the organisation's operations
  • Researching and preparing reports, briefing notes, memoranda, correspondence and other routine documents
  • Maintaining confidential files and documents
  • Attending meetings and acting as secretary as required
  • Maintaining appointment diaries and making travel arrangements
  • Processing incoming and outgoing mail, filing correspondence and maintaining records
  • Screening telephone calls and answering inquiries
  • Taking and transcribing dictation of letters and other documents
  • May supervise other secretarial and clerical staff

Key values of workers in Personal Assistants

  • Support

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

  • Working Conditions

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

  • Achievement

    Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

  • Independence

    Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

  • Recognition

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Top skills required for workers in Personal Assistants

  • Active Listening

    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Speaking

    Talking to others to convey information effectively.

  • Writing

    Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

  • Service Orientation

    Actively looking for ways to help people.

  • Coordination

    Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.