How to be the best PA a boss will ever have

Own up to your mistakes, keep your boss’s private information confidential and never stop learning – these are just some of the pointers you should keep in mind if you’re aiming to hone your PA skills and seriously impress your exec.

According to business etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, making an excuse instead of having the guts to admit any mistakes you make on the job is one of the worst things you can do, as it’s a sign that you are not willing to take responsibility for your actions, making you a less reliable employee. The best thing to do when you make an error is apologise and suggest how you plan to remedy it.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that it is considered highly unprofessional to divulge any private phone conversations, bank balances or medical history that you may have come across in the course of your work. This will tarnish your reputation and damage your credibility, says Gottsman.

Keeping on top of your skills set is another sure-fire way to propel you to the top of the career ladder. Improve your social media expertise, create an updated PowerPoint for your boss’s next presentation, or research some new data for the company newsletter, suggests Gottsman.

Her other tips to ensure you shine in the office include taking an interest in your manager’s likes, dislikes and personal preferences; keeping your boss in the loop at all times so they don’t look ill-informed; making sure to take notes so you’re on top of the latest projects; keeping a close eye on your executive’s schedule in order to be able to provide intelligent input into their agenda; and watching and learning from your manager’s own leadership and business skills.

Read this and other blogs at dianegottsman.com