Everything You Need To Know About Becoming a Junior Personal Assistant
One of the first office jobs many people will apply for and start out in is that of a junior personal assistant. This kind of job is a great introduction into the business world and puts you in very close proximity to those in the greatest power. Assistant roles often lead to other roles in a company.
This article covers everything you need to know about becoming a junior personal assistant, where they work, how much they earn, what kind of skills you need and what you can do next.
What is a junior personal assistant?
Similar to a personal assistant or executive assistant, junior personal assistant’s are hired to offer direct assistance that extends beyond the workplace to a manager or high-level employee in the company. As the junior part of the role title suggests, this role is often offered at a lower pay rate to younger or more inexperienced applicants as a chance for them to learn and grow in the company.
Where do junior personal assistants work?
There are junior personal assistant roles in all different companies and fields. Many people who are looking to get their start in a specific career will seek out this role as a foot in the door to their dream career. You can work as junior personal assistant in the art world, in fashion, in sport or construction, education or even in the government.
What do junior personal assistants do?
Junior personal assistants can be charged with a wide range of tasks. Their objective goal is to provide support and assistance to the boss so this can look very different depending on the industry. You could be sent on a lunch run, in charge of managing the calendar for the boss, answering their phones and screening calls. You could be sent out to organise their laundry, collect packages or even do some specific shopping errands. The role can look different depending on who you work for and where you work.
How much do junior personal assistants make?
According to the Indeed website, junior personal assistants make an average yearly salary of $55,638, though this figure can go up or down depending on the role and the industry.
What do you need to study to become a junior personal assistant?
Junior personal assistant roles are intended for people who are just starting out and don’t have experience. But regardless of this, an understanding of administration and office workings will help you to get this job. The best course to do to give you a leg up for this role would be the Certificate III in Business with a specialisation in administration. This course can be completed entirely online, through self-paced study. You can start at anytime and study from anywhere Australia. In the course you’ll learn how to:
- Apply critical thinking skills in a team environment
- Support personal wellbeing in the workplace
- Participate in sustainable work practices
- Use inclusive work practices
- Assist with maintaining workplace safety
- Engage in workplace communication
- Use digital technologies to communicate in a work environment
- Write simple documents
- Organise personal work priorities
- Process financial transactions
- Maintain business resources
- Organise schedules
- Handle receipt and dispatch of information
You can learn more about the course here.
What skills do you need to be a junior personal assistant?
There are lots of different skills that will help you to excel as a junior personal assistant.
Communication
As a junior personal assistant, you’ll be the point of contact between your boss and their staff, outside contractors, other departments and sometimes even personal connections. Because you will often be in charge of managing their email communication and phone calls you need to have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to adjust your tone and approach depending on the context of the conversation and the recipient’s relationship to the boss.
Creative problem solving
Often times in a role such as this you’ll encounter problems that can’t be fixed with a phone call or email. You’ll need creative problem solving skills to be able to find a fix for an unusual or unprecedented problem.
Organistion
A meticulous nature and the ability to keep lots of balls in the air will be essential to succeeding as a junior personal assistant. There are many competing priorities, and you need to be able to juggle to keep everything running smoothly for your boss. You are often in charge of their calendars and ensuring they are not double booked, and enough time is allotted for travel and work between meetings as well as personal commitments, so organisational skills are key.
Attention to detail
A keen eye for detail could save the day in a job like this. As a personal assistant often responds on behalf of the boss (as the boss) it is paramount that you are dotting i’s and crossing t’s. This kind of job gives you very close and personal access to their lives and you need to be mindful that all details are doubled checked and everything is going where it is meant to.
Discretion
Because in this role you’re not just an assistant but a personal assistant you are going to encounter sensitive personal information, personal correspondence, and sensitive requests such as collecting prescriptions and buying presents. You’ll need to exercise some discretion and sensitivity in your dealings.
What next?
Working as a junior personal assistant can be a stepping stone to an administrative role or even an executive assistant role. There are so many options for levelling up in your career once you get your foot in the door with a role such as this.
Final Thoughts
If you are keen to move into the business world, there are few paths as simple and clear as becoming a junior personal assistant. This job perfectly suits a driven, organised person with a flair for multi-tasking and a passion for their industry.
You can learn more about educational pathways to this career here or get in touch with us. We’d be happy to help you find the right course for you!