Hiring
first personal business assistant is an exciting time for new business owners. It means that
business is doing well enough that
business owner can no longer keep up effectively with
demands of
new business. Sales are exploding, and time becomes of
utmost importance. Scheduling of business chores and personal chores can become very demanding and complex. This is
time new business owners often find themselves considering a personal business assistant.A personal business assistant differs from a clerical worker or secretary, as
duties are more diverse for a personal assistant. A personal assistant will do whatever is needed to make
business run smoothly and will do whatever is necessary to make
business owner's life run smoothly also. Although a personal assistant usually also performs clerical and secretarial duties, a personal assistant is more a "jack of all trades" than any other type of employee and
duties may include personal chores done on behalf of
employer.
The choice of a personal assistant therefore should be given
utmost of consideration. Here is a list of possible qualities to look for when choosing a personal assistant:
1. Flexibility of Schedule:
hours a personal assistant works can be very varied, depending upon
needs of
business owner. These hours can include some nights and weekends when social activities and business meetings may occur.
2. Flexibility of Personality: a good personal assistant needs a flexible, easy going personality, as
demands of
job can be quite stressful, as well as diverse.
3. Ability to Multi-Task: since
tasks are diverse, multi-tasking abilities are an absolute necessity.
4. Ability to Bond and Work Well with Others:
personal assistant will be exposed to everyone involved in many ways within
business, as well as
business owner and clients. An ability to establish relationships easily with others is mandatory.
5. Ability to Learn Quickly and Effectively: a personal assistant will need to come into a business and learn every duty quite quickly and effectively. There may be a large learning curve, depending upon
business and
needs of
business owner.
6. Knowledge of Office Procedures and Other Procedures Associated with
Business: without some prior knowledge of office procedures and routine procedures that are unique to
business hiring
assistant, problems usually occur.
7. A Good Work History: having a personal assistant that reports to work sporadically or is frequently late, with many absences, will only cause frustration overall for
business owner and create more work, not diminish
workload.