How to Write a Resume for a Personal Assistant Job

Writing a resume for a personal assistant job can be a challenge, but here are step-by-step instructions that will make it easier. Once you've completed these steps, your resume will be ready to submit, and you'll be on your way to getting that personal assistant job!

Things You'll Need

• Past employment specifics (employer name, contact information, dates worked)
• Positive emails or written references from past employment
• Education, certification, and association membership specifics

Instructions

1. 

   BASICS
   When creating a hard copy of your resume, use white or off-white resume quality paper. Use a standard font (nothing showy) with a 12 pt. font. Leave enough space between sections to make it easy to read at a glance. Keep your resume to no longer than two pages.

   Whether hard copy or online, only include information that is relevant to the position. Quality is more important than quantity.

   Proofread your resume. Save it, walk away for 15 minutes, and proofread it again. No spelling errors (spell check is only your first step). No grammatical errors. As a personal assistant you will be called upon to manage personal correspondence and your resume must be impeccable.

2. 

   CAREER OBJECTIVE
   Your career objective is a mini cover letter letting your potential employer know what you bring to the table. Avoid using "I" or "my" in the objective and instead make it more employer-centric. For example:

   DON'T write:

   I am looking for a position as a personal assistant where I can apply my knowledge and past experience and advance in my career.

   DO write:

   Successful personal assistant with 10 years' experience seeking position with individual or family. Offering impeccable background and references, excellent computer, bookkeeping, and communication skills, and clean driving record.

3. 

   EXPERIENCE
   Starting with the most recent, list your employment history, including duties performed. Unless you've been with one employer for the past 20 years, don't include more than 20 years' worth of employment history. Only list positions that apply to this field. If you have gaps in the industry or in your work history, you may want to consider writing a skills-based resume rather than a chronological resume.

4. 

   SKILLS
   List any skills that could be useful in this particular position. For instance, if you are applying for a personal assistant to a business executive, you'll want to focus on your computer, communication, and travel-booking skills. If you are applying for a position that will include working with children in a family, you'll want to include any educator skills, language skills, or nursing skills.

   NOTE: You may have to re-write this section for each individual application.

5. 

   ACCOLADES, RECOGNITION, and RECOMMENDATIONS
   Here's your chance to showcase your success without appearing arrogant. Include any official recognition in the field, as well as any written recommendations from previous employers.

6. 

   EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, MEMBERSHIPS
   List only secondary education, unless you don't have a college degree. In that case, list your highest level of education, including graduation year.

   List memberships and positions held in related associations, such as New York Celebrity Assistants, Celebrity Personal Assistants, or Impresario Lifestyle.

   List certifications you have received in the field.

7. 

   REFERENCES
   "References available upon request." In the personal assistant industry, this section can make the difference between whether you are considered for a position or not. As a candidate for a personal assistant position, you should list names and contact information of at least three professional references.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to click on the links around this page for more information on resume writing tips.

• If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to link it to your blog or email it to your friends!

• Before listing someone as a reference, be sure to check with him or her.

Resources

• How to Write a Great Career Objective for Resumes
• Personal Assistant Pro
• New York Celebrity Assistants
• Celebrity Personal Assistants Resume Writing Service
• Impresario Lifestyle