Top-flight PAs will soar to new heights
EMPLOYERS are fighting to recruit top personal assistants (PAs) especially in financial services.
‘Demand for highlyskilled PAs is electric, with engaged, high-calibre candidates receiving multiple job offers,’ says Lizzie Wylie, director at financial services specialist LMA Recruitment (lmarecruitment.com).
Today PAs are highly-prized members of the executive team.
‘It is an increasingly multi-national career with strong opportunities for progression and development,’ says Roger Tweedy of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo). ‘Languages, technology and IT skills are soughtafter. Many roles also offer flexible hours’
Emmy Richardson, 22, chose a PA career after an economics degree. She says: ‘Work experience in administrative roles in hospitality taught me secretarial and admin skills. Then I found this job as a PA at LBMA, the precious metals organisation. I am using my economics degree and LBMA has given me the opportunity to develop. The job is varied and fastpaced and I am constantly learning.’
Emmy advises people considering a PA career: ‘Be open to all opportunities. It’s a strongly administrative role, and you will learn so much from the people you meet and your team. If you work hard, it pays.’
Ed Blight, chief finance officer at LBMA, says: ‘A PA must have time management skills, energy, great attention to detail, excellent numerical skills and the ability to take accurate minutes as well as being a good team player.’
Candidates can give themselves the edge by researching the business prior to interview. A typical trainee starting salary is £28,000-£30,000 and senior level salaries can reach £80,000 in financial services.