A personal assistant isn't just for wealthy entrepreneurs anymore.A personal assistant can help anyone with their day-to-day tasks.It can help to cut down on stress and give you more time to focus on your projects.Pick out what you need from a personal assistant.You can find the right person for the job by looking into local errand services or posting your own job ad.
Step 1: For one week, make a list of all the tasks you do.
This will help you figure out where your time goes and what you can delegate to a personal assistant.How much time you spend on each task should be included on the list.You can add items to the list that you don't get around to doing.To list what the task was, use an abbreviated form.For example, if you spend an hour posting on social media to promote your business, then you might list that as, "Social media posts -- 1 hour."If you are unsure, you can give an estimate for how long these tasks will take.
Step 2: There are tasks that could be delegated to someone else.
After you have a list of everything you did in a week, highlight items that you could delegate to someone else.These are things that you feel take too much of your time.If you don't want to pay someone else your hourly wage to do it, then it may be better to delegate it.
Step 3: If the tasks need to be done in person, consider it.
Determine if the person who does the tasks needs to be physically present to do them or if you can work with a virtual assistant after you identify what could be delegated.Since virtual assistants don't need an office space to complete their work, this is often more cost effective.If the majority of the work you need help with can be done online, then you might consider hiring a virtual assistant.
Step 4: How much do you have left over to pay someone?
Once you have decided what you want to delegate and how long it will take, you need to think about how much you can pay someone.More experienced personal assistants usually charge more for their services, and the price may vary depending on the type of tasks or tasks you will be hiring someone to do.A simple errand, such as picking up dry cleaning, shopping for groceries, and getting your oil changed in your car, will cost around $20 per hour.If you need someone to perform skilled tasks, such as posting to social media to promote your business, or contacting clients to confirm meetings, you may need to pay someone upwards of $30 an hour.
Step 5: For help with day-to-day tasks, check with an errand service.
Helping with simple day-to-day tasks can help to save you time.If you want to hire someone local to help you with things like shopping, picking up prescriptions, or even taking your dog to the vet for a checkup, check to see what errand services are in your area.Call to find out if this is a good option for your needs.If you're looking for someone to take over your grocery shopping once a week, you should let them know how much they'll charge and ask how long the errand will take.
Step 6: You can post an ad for a personal assistant.
The minimum level of qualifications you are seeking should be included in the job description.The ad should be short, concise, and simple.Be specific about your needs and the type of worker you are looking for.You can post the ad on job websites or online classified websites.List any specific duties or responsibilities the job will involve along with any special licenses or certifications the applicants must have to be considered.If you include a special instruction in the job ad to determine if candidates are detail oriented, you could get better results.Please write "Application for Personal Assistant" in the email subject line when you submit your resume.
Step 7: The candidates should be narrowed down based on their experience and skills.
To help you narrow down your choices, remind yourself of the tasks your personal assistant will need to perform.It will be easier to choose someone than it is to interview everyone who applies for the job.If you are looking for someone who can type more than 65 words per minute, then you might want to look at candidates who have experience with transcription.If you are looking for someone who can run an errand for you, you may want to consider candidates who have their own transportation or have experience running other people's errand.
Step 8: The person's qualities will be revealed by the interview questions.
Once you have narrowed the candidates down, call them to set up interviews.You can interview on the phone or in person.You could interview your top choice in person if you start with phone interviews.To find out if they can handle the tasks you need them to complete in a timely manner, select questions.Ask the person you are hiring if they have done previous work on audio files.If you are hiring someone to do your shopping, ask them how long they spend on it.
Step 9: If the person has access to your finances, you should run a background check.
If you are going to hire someone, you should run a background check on them first.If the person has access to your finances, this may be beneficial.You can run a criminal background check on someone through the police station in your state, or you can also purchase a full check that will include things like the person's driving record and credit history.You can ask the person to give you the documents you need, such as a driving record, credit report or criminal record.
Step 10: To find out about the work history of the applicants, check their references.
Call the person's references to make sure they have the skills and experience that they claim to have.Ask about the person's work ethic, efficiency, and demeanor when you call their references.You could ask, "How would you describe Charlie's work ethic?" or "Did Sandra get along well with her coworkers?"
Step 11: You will find the right candidate.
If you want to hire someone to be your personal assistant, make them a job offer.It is important to be clear about the details of the job offer, such as their rate of pay, start date, schedule, and responsibilities.When you need an answer, let the person know.The candidates that you did not hire should be thanked.If there is another opening in the future, you may want to keep their information on file.
Step 12: A person needs to sign an employment agreement.
It is important to get the person to read and sign your employment agreement before they start working for you.They will be aware of what is expected of them.Work schedule, late policy, and days off are some of the things that are detailed in this contract.
Step 13: The person you hired should have a personnel file.
You should put all of the documents you created into a personnel file once you have completed the hiring process.Everything pertaining to your new employee will be kept in this location.Job description Application, resume, and cover letter are examples of things to place in the file.
Step 14: If you want to handle finances, consider using a fiscal intermediary.
If you don't want to pay your personnel assistant on your own, you might consider contracting with a fiscal intermediary.An employment agency that handles payments, tax forms, and other legal aspects of employment for you is a separate entity.They will make payments to the person as you instruct them to, if you transfer funds into an account.Verifying employment eligibility, purchasing liability insurance, drawing up employment agreements, and creating a monthly financial report are some of the things that a fiscal intermediary can handle.
Step 15: Train your employee.
If you want your new personal assistant to do the work you need them to, make sure they do it in a professional manner.Make your expectations clear and establish yourself as their boss with this.It is important to correct your employee if they make a mistake or do something that is not good.To help them understand why it is important to do it properly, explain to them how that mistake affects you.If your personal assistant arrives late to pick up your dry cleaning, you might say something like, "You're 15 minutes late, which is going to make me late."I want you to arrive on time or early.