Are you searching for a talented personal assistant to help you with your admin tasks such as managing schedules, taking phone calls, and much more? Finding the best PA talent involves a strategic and thorough recruitment process, as it can take time to find the right person for the job.
Since PAs are trusted with sensitive information and often take care of crucial admin tasks, many employers want to be sure that they’re hiring the right candidate for the role. In this article, we will be discussing the steps and tips to help you identify and hire a qualified PA that’s right for your business.
Work with a Reputable Recruitment Agency
The best way to find the right pool of candidates is to work with a recruitment agency specialising in matching businesses with PA talent. These recruitment agencies offer a variety of services such as rigorous screening interviews for potential candidates. Thes agencies can then provide you with a shortlist of candidates that meet your requirements. Having a tailored list is incredibly helpful and time saving for you and your business.
Be Clear with Your Requirements
Personal assistants roles are incredibly varied and differ from business to business. With that being said, it’s important that you clearly outline the role responsibilities as well as the skills required for this PA role. This way, you’ll attract candidates that have specific experience in your laid out requirements.
Consider outlining the specific tasks such as admin support, calendar management , and travel coordination and any industry specific knowledge and experience needed.
Network and Referrals
Utilising your professional network can be a great way to locate PA talent. You should consider asking for referrals from industry contacts and trusted individuals. Word-of-mouth recommendations can often lead to finding highly qualified candidates.
Platforms such as LinkedIn are great for this, as many talented candidates frequent the website looking for the right opportunities.
Utilise Online Job Platforms
Another great way to source PA talent is to explore online job platforms (as mentioned above) such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and other industry-specific websites. These platforms often attract a diverse pool of candidates with varying levels of experience.
Posting to these platforms can be very useful in helping you find the best PA talent.
Conduct thorough Interviews
Whether you have an internal recruitment team or a specialist recruitment agency has provided you with a shortlist, it’s important to screen candidates yourself. Screening candidates through thorough interviews is the best way to assess their compatibility with the role. You should assess their communication skills, professionalism, and to see if they are a cultural fit for your team. Interviewing gives you insight into how candidates handle specific situations and challenges.
