If you’re new to this form of assessment, the idea of being ‘psychologically tested’ may be a bit daunting, especially if you’re unsure of exactly what this means and what it will entail. Here, PA Life outlines the basics Traditional recruitment and selection procedures are a familiar process for most of us and when applying […]

Setting boundaries in the workplace is one of the key issues faced by PAs today – you want to show your boss you’re flexible and ultimately indispensable, but where do you draw the line? The PA Life training day session conducted by the directors of website PA Access All Areas will outline appropriate methods of […]

As the spring and summer holiday season is right around the corner, here are some top tips to keep you in control while your manager is away for some much-needed rest Sometimes the boss being on holiday can actually help you get things done and do your job better. However, out of sight is rarely […]

Modern work practices have dramatically changed the way many companies think about staffing needs. With technology advancing by the day and the internet available just about anywhere in the world, the ability to work remotely is being used more and more, as is evidenced by the growth in interest in the market for virtual assistants. […]

Another week has passed and that means it’s time for another round-up of all manner of weird and wonderful goings-on within the PA community. Romance seems to be in the air for Oscar-nominated actor Josh Brolin, who has been seen squiring his personal assistant around town. The town in question is Rome, where Josh is currently […]

It’s easy to find yourself worrying about what others think of you – your manager, clients and colleagues, even friends. But one opinion matters even more than these – yours We think about how others perceive us when we get ready in the morning, at meetings and interviews and in almost any social situation. Self-confidence […]

Just 10 months after its launch, the Bristol PA Network has experienced phenomenal growth and highlighted an appetite amongst PAs and support staff for training and development. The group recently announced a partnership with Bristol-based corporate event planning specialist Glow. With free membership and quarterly after-work events, the network fills the gap left by recession-led […]

In these days of constant connectivity, social media and instant messaging, it’s all too easy to become distracted from the task in hand. Follow these handy hints to avoiding workplace interruptions – they’ll help you focus on your job and your souped-up efficiency is bound to impress your boss into the bargain. Try building a […]

Supporting a director and the logistics of managing their affairs requires a lot of attention. Janet Ashford and Paul Munden discuss the five things every assistant should know about their boss and the board What kind of leader is your director?Running a business in today’s complex corporate world requires strong leadership. There is a range […]

We’ve come across a variety of timesaving technology tips, apps and devices which we thought we’d package together into one cut-out-and-keep page Prepare “ready responses”Answering the phone and dealing with email enquiries can take up a lot of time, especially when you’re dealing with the same thing more than once. Create a template in Microsoft […]

As businesses around the world are recovering from the financial crisis, roles that were eliminated to save money are now becoming the focus of an increase in recruitment. In New Zealand, it would appear that experienced executive assistants are back in demand and can expect an average pay rise of 7.8% as a result. Several […]

Networking is one of those buzz words that resonates within the PA community, but it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s an excellent reason to sign up to the Little Black Book coaching session presented by celebrity PA Donna Coulling at the PA Life Training Day. Donna will talk delegates through the […]

With a growing number of assistants deciding to set up on their own as VAs, working remotely from your boss is becoming increasingly common. Here are a few pointers to follow to make a long-distance professional relationship work. First off, remember there’s little about working face to face that you can’t replicate online or on […]

A new study shows employees across the UK have been committing astonishing acts of revenge on their colleagues and customers. From harmless pranks to stunts that cross the line of legality, anonymous workers have confessed their sins in a tell-all survey. The research, conducted by national health and safety consultancy protecting.co.uk, compiles a list of […]

Personal assistants write hundreds of emails to their bosses every week and often correspond with clients on their manager’s behalf. If the goal of a message is to inspire someone to take action it’s important to focus on the psychology of the reader. Here are some tips for writing more effective emails. Consider the circumstances […]

Sewing your boss’s trousers. Not exactly the kind of daily duty you’d expect today’s high-flying PAs to be doing. But is there anything they can do about it? In a recent survey, recruitment company Crone Corkill revealed the extent of the problem. Despite executive assistants being hired for their secretarial and organisational abilities, almost half […]

Delegates at this year’s EXECSec Summit will be able to pick up some vital tips to help them do their jobs more effectively, including maximising their brainpower, becoming a PA brand ambassador and setting boundaries in the workplace. Author and international trainer Sue France kicks off the proceedings with a presentation on neuroscience that looks […]

We all know that having strong team and work relationships makes your job more enjoyable. One particularly rewarding aspect of a team situation can be the opportunity to coach. The ability to unlock a person’s potential to maximise their own performance through guiding rather than teaching is an excellent skill to develop.   Whether you are […]