How to Become a Better Personal Assistant
In the 1994 film "Swimming with Sharks," a seething personal assistant, played by Frank Whaley, ties his boss, Kevin Spacey, to a chair and tortures him with paper cuts as revenge for his employer's nasty treatment of him. While not all personal assistant jobs end this badly, assistants sometimes feel overlooked and undervalued. If you focus on doing your best at your day-to-day tasks you'll not only be a better personal assistant, but you probably won't be an assistant very long, as your positive attitude, intelligence and talents will shine through in everything you do.
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Instructions
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Put a smile on your face. Being a personal assistant is hard work, and sometimes it's easy to get discouraged or feel resentful. You might do much of what you consider drudge work, such as setting appointments, picking up dry cleaning or walking your boss's dog, but you're working as an assistant not only to advance your career but to help someone who's hired you exactly to do these tasks. Don't get into the trap of feeling you're doing menial work. If you have a cheerful attitude, you'll enjoy your job much more and you'll be more productive and efficient.
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Have a cordial phone demeanor. Over the phone, people can usually tell if you're angry, upset or bored, which won't benefit you or your employer. Be friendly, polite and upbeat during telephone conversations. Research has shown that if you're smiling, people on the other end will hear it in your voice, according to the Discovery Channel.
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Get organized. If you're sloppy or careless with your boss's schedule, your work area or haven't cleared out your email in weeks, you might miss an important date, communication or phone message. For example, if your boss misses a sales convention due to your lack of organization, you're sure to hear about it. Get a smartphone to help you stay in contact with your boss and clients. Organize important papers in labeled files and arrange your work area for easy access.
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Show up early and stay late. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. Stay late to show you're willing to work hard to get the job done. Don't go overboard, however. If you're not getting attention or acknowledgment by staying several hours late, reel it in so that you have time for yourself. Get enough sleep every night so you can be productive in both your career and personal life.
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Anticipate your employer's needs. If you notice the ink toner is getting low, don't wait until it's completely dry before you buy a new cartridge. In November or December, get your boss a new day planner for the following year. When you think ahead, you show you care and that you're paying attention. You'll also circumvent any potential problems.
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Stay abreast of the industry news and developments. Read websites, newspapers and magazines in your field. Ask to attend conferences, conventions and social functions with your boss. Remember key names and faces. Learn as much as you can about your industry to help you perform your job better and advance in your career.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Businessman and female assistant working on laptop image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
