Personal assistant: Employers and vacancy sources

Personal assistants (PAs) work in a range of large, medium-sized and small organisations across all sectors. Positions can be found in:

• corporate business and business consultancies;
• finance;
• law and related work;
• accountancy;
• health, social, medical and related services;
• the arts, entertainment and leisure;
• retail;
• marketing and advertising;
• education;
• hospitality and catering;
• property;
• security and protective services;
• media and communications;
• manufacturing and industrial organisations;
• science-related organisations;
• agriculture, horticulture and related industries;
• charities and the voluntary sector;
• local/central government departments, including working for members of parliament (MPs).

Sources of vacancies

• National press, including Guardian Jobs  and The Times Jobs  
• Executive PA  
• Local press.

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Gordon Yates  and Secs in the City  and online jobsites such as Secretarial Careers  commonly handle vacancies. Larger and more general agencies also handle PA vacancies and are a good way of finding temping opportunities. For a list of relevant member agencies, search the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)  consultancy finder.

Look out for special events aimed at personal assistants, for example Office  - an annual exhibition and conference aimed at PAs, executive assistants and officer managers.

Get tips on job hunting, CVs and cover letters and interviews.