Top personal assistant skills to look for in candidates
1. Communication skills
Included in 28.22% of personal assistant job postings
Since personal assistants perform tasks for another person, communication is essential for understanding expectations. Requiring and assessing communication skills during the interview process helps ensure the selected candidate has active listening skills and can respond appropriately in conversations.
Job description example: Strong written and verbal communication skills
Assessing the skill: You can assess verbal communication skills during the interview through responses to scenario-based questions.
2. Caregiving
Included in 24.39% of personal assistant job postings
For personal assistants who support care needs, caregiving experience can show an understanding of the job duties. Some specific caregiving skills include empathy, patience, flexibility and problem-solving. You might ask for experience with types of caregiving, such as offering companionship or grooming assistance.
Job description example: Caregiving experience, including assistance with daily grooming tasks and mobility
Assessing the skill: In addition to reviewing the job duties of previous caregiver roles on applications, ask candidates about their caregiving style, use situational interview questions and have them describe instances where they demonstrated caregiving skills in a professional setting.
3. Microsoft Excel
Included in 13.68% of personal assistant job postings
Personal assistants in office settings perform a variety of clerical tasks, often requiring the use of software. Microsoft Excel is a common option for creating spreadsheets to track and calculate data. Decide on the level of proficiency you need based on the types of Excel functions your company uses. Finding someone with extensive Excel experience can increase the accuracy of your spreadsheets and productivity.
Job description example: Intermediate Excel skills with experience using calculation, filtering and sorting functions
Assessing the skill: Set up an Excel task for candidates to complete during the interview or choose an online Excel assessment.
4. Microsoft Office
Included in 11.49% of personal assistant job postings
Beyond Excel, the Microsoft Office suite includes other commonly used software programs, including Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. Depending on the duties in the personal assistant job description, the candidate might need experience with Access for database management, Publisher for desktop publishing tasks and other programs. When writing your list of personal assistant skills, include the general Microsoft Office suite or individual programs.
Job description example: Expertise in using Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher
Assessing the skill: Create mock tasks in the specific Office programs you want to test based on work duties for the role.
5. Personal assistant experience
Included in 11.2% of personal assistant job postings
While personal assistant jobs may require no previous experience, some companies or individuals may prefer previous work in the field. Candidates with personal assistant experience typically understand what it takes to support a professional and anticipate their needs, allowing you to assign tasks sooner.
Job description example: Two years of experience as a personal assistant in a fast-paced office setting
Assessing the skill: Review previous job experience on resumes and ask targeted interview questions to evaluate prior experience.
6. Organizational skills
Included in 11.17% of personal assistant job postings
Organization is an essential soft skill of a personal assistant. The job often involves managing a person’s schedule, travel plans, messages, appointments, correspondence and other essential components. If the candidate is highly organized, it may help them complete all necessary administrative tasks on time and minimize the risk of errors.
Job description example: Strong organizational skills with the ability to organize multiple tasks at once
Assessing the skill: Ask personal assistant interview questions related to organizational strategies.
7. Time management
Included in 10.03% of personal assistant job postings
Personal assistants often juggle multiple tasks for their employer. Effective time management helps them complete tasks efficiently to meet project deadlines. A candidate who implements time management strategies, such as time blocking, to-do lists and goal setting, may be more productive.
Job description example: Effective time management strategies
Assessing the skill: Include time management interview questions to assess candidates.
8. English
Included in 9.87% of personal assistant job postings
Fluency in a particular language is often important for effective communication between the personal assistant and the person they support. Specify the type and level of fluency required for the position.
Job description example: Fluency in verbal and written English
Assessing the skill: Administer a language test to assess fluency.
9. Microsoft PowerPoint
Included in 9.12% of personal assistant job postings
Personal assistants who help develop presentations may need Microsoft PowerPoint skills. The program includes many advanced features that take presentations to the next level. Hiring someone with strong PowerPoint skills can help you maximize the creativity and appearance of your presentations.
Job description example: Advanced Microsoft PowerPoint skills
Assessing the skill: Have each candidate create a PowerPoint presentation based on your specifications.
10. Computer skills
Included in 5.84% of personal assistant job postings
Office-based personal assistant jobs often rely heavily on computer work, such as handling correspondence, managing digital files and building online schedules. Make sure to specify what level of computer skills (beginner, intermediate, advanced) that best suits your needs.
Job description example: Strong computer skills using various software programs
Assessing the skill: Administer a computer skills test for each candidate.
11. Microsoft Word
Included in 5.36% of personal assistant job postings
Personal assistants might use Microsoft Word to develop documents. Depending on your business needs, you may need a personal assistant with more advanced knowledge of the program to create detailed documents.
Job description example: Intermediate Microsoft Word skills
Assessing the skill: Schedule time in the interview for each candidate to create a Word document that aligns with your directions.
12. Customer service
Included in 4.69% of personal assistant job postings
Personal assistants sometimes serve as their employer’s first point of contact. They may receive in-person visitors, answer phone calls or respond to emails. Customer service skills help personal assistants handle those tasks successfully and foster positive customer relationships. Part of exceptional customer service is strong interpersonal skills to interact with people.
Job description example: Ability to provide exceptional customer service through strong interpersonal and communication skills
Assessing the skill: Ask scenario-based questions during the interview, such as, “How would you handle a difficult customer interaction?” or “Tell me about a time when you successfully resolved a client issue.”
13. Spanish
Included in 3.82% of personal assistant job postings
A personal assistant may need to speak Spanish if their employer is a Spanish speaker. Fluency in Spanish is also helpful if the person will assist Spanish-speaking customers and clients. Consider adding this requirement to your list of personal assistant skills.
Job description example: Fluency in spoken Spanish
Assessing the skill: Require a Spanish language test to assess verbal and written fluency.
14. Administrative experience
Included in 3.74% of personal assistant job postings
Administrative experience is a commonly required skill for personal assistants. Personal assistants often share similar job descriptions as administrative assistants. Their duties may include answering phones, scheduling appointments, handling communications, managing customer accounts and filing paperwork. Candidates with administrative experience can typically handle job responsibilities quickly.
Job description example: Previous administrative experience
Assessing the skill: Ask candidates to describe their administrative experience, including their comfort level handling specific administrative tasks for your company.
15. Google Suite
Included in 2.97% of personal assistant job postings
If your organization uses Google Suite, hiring a candidate who’s familiar with these programs can maximize their productivity and what they can do with them.
Job description example: Intermediate skills using Google applications
Assessing the skill: Require Google assessments that ask questions about the programs or require each candidate to complete a task within a Google program.
16. Management
Included in 2.88% of personal assistant job postings
Personal assistants often handle many tasks throughout the day, so having prior management experience can be beneficial. You might also have a personal assistant who supervises other assistants in the office. With management skills, they can help supervise, train and mentor those staff members to improve overall operations.
Job description example: Proven ability to manage and lead a team, including experience in supervising, training and mentoring staff to enhance operational efficiency.
Assessing the skill: Ask candidates to describe their management experience and style during the interview. Encourage them to explain how their approach to leadership aligns with your organization’s culture and goals, and how they’ve successfully managed teams or projects in the past.
17. Bilingual
Included in 2.65% of personal assistant job postings
Personal assistants might interact with different colleagues and customers who speak a language other than English. Including a bilingual requirement in the job description can help improve communication and customer service.
Job description example: Bilingual in English and Spanish
Assessing the skill: Require each candidate to take a language test in the applicable languages.
18. Senior care
Included in 2.61% of personal assistant job postings
Personal assistants who provide health care support often work with seniors. Understanding the unique needs of older adults can better prepare them for the job.
Job description example: Ability to provide compassionate care to seniors, with an understanding of their unique needs and challenges
Assessing the skill: Confirm the candidate’s application reflects their experience with seniors.
19. Microsoft Outlook
Included in 2.58% of personal assistant job postings
Communication in office settings often takes place through Microsoft Outlook. It offers contact management, calendar and email tools that help personal assistants manage correspondence.
Job description example: Familiarity with Microsoft Outlook
Assessing the skill: Set up an activity where each candidate creates a contact and schedules a calendar event through Outlook.
20. Executive administrative support
Included in 2.54% of personal assistant job postings
Personal assistants often have job responsibilities that closely relate to those of executive administrative assistants. They work for employees at various levels, not just the executive team, so consider candidates who are able to communicate with people of all levels within a company.
Job description example: Previous executive administrative assistant experience
Assessing the skill: Review applications to look for relevant job experience.
21. Social media management
Included in 2.48% of personal assistant job postings
Some personal assistants manage social media posting for their employer. They might create posts, monitor post comments and engage with followers. Tailoring content for social media requires an understanding of different platforms and what resonates with specific audiences.
Job description example: Previous social media management experience
Assessing the skill: Ask for links to social media content each candidate has created. You can also create a mock project and ask them to create social media content.
22. Care plans
Included in 2.47% of personal assistant job postings
If you’re hiring a personal assistant to care for a loved one or client, knowledge of care plans is a valuable skill. These plans detail the patient’s medical and personal needs, as well as how the caregiver should support them. Candidates familiar with care plans and the common tasks involved can likely carry out these duties effectively.
Job description example: Experience following patient care plans
Assessing the skill: Ask candidates to create a sample care plan based on an example scenario
23. Home and community care
Included in 2.32% of personal assistant job postings
Personal assistants for older adults often provide in-home care and assistance with community errands, such as grocery shopping. Having prior experience in these areas equips candidates with the necessary tools to care for individuals safely and appropriately. Additionally, they are likely to be familiar with assisting clients in daily activities, coordinating appointments and ensuring their overall well-being while navigating different environments.
Job description example: Previous experience in home and community care
Assessing the skill: Review resumes for evidence of this type of work responsibility.
24. Nursing
Included in 2.3% of personal assistant job postings
You might look for a personal assistant with nursing experience to care for your loved one, especially if they have advanced medical needs. A nursing background can also help them respond to various emergencies and provide care until medical support arrives.
Job description example: Licensed nurse and six months of nursing experience
Assessing the skill: Verify nursing licensure and look for nursing experience on resumes.
25. Home health
Included in 2.07% of personal assistant job postings
Another possible requirement to include in your list of skills of a personal assistant is home health care. This experience equips candidates with an understanding of medical terminology, personal care assistance, medication supervision, vital signs and other basic health needs. It helps ensure they can provide safe and effective care for the person they’re assisting.
Job description example: Previous home health care experience
Assessing the skill: Check resumes for home health positions or duties.
Other top personal assistant skills in-demand
Here are an additional 25 personal assistant skills that are common in personal assistant job postings on Indeed:
26. Medication administration: Included in 2% of personal assistant job postings
27. QuickBooks: Included in 1.88% of personal assistant job postings
28. Writing skills: Included in 1.77% of personal assistant job postings
29. Cooking: Included in 1.56% of personal assistant job postings
30. Google Docs: Included in 1.51% of personal assistant job postings
31. Office experience: Included in 1.45% of personal assistant job postings
32. Patient care: Included in 1.43% of personal assistant job postings
33. First aid: Included in 1.37% of personal assistant job postings
34. Typing: Included in 1.33% of personal assistant job postings
35. Data entry: Included in 1.26% of personal assistant job postings
36. Leadership: Included in 1.22% of personal assistant job postings
37. Editing: Included in 1.15% of personal assistant job postings
38. Grocery store: Included in 1.14% of personal assistant job postings
39. CPR: Included in 1.09% of personal assistant job postings
40. Sales: Included in 1.06% of personal assistant job postings
41. Marketing: Included in 1.03% of personal assistant job postings
42. Computer literacy: Included in 1% of personal assistant job postings
43. Cleaning: Included in 0.97% of personal assistant job postings
44. Phone etiquette: Included in 0.97% of personal assistant job postings
45. Project management: Included in 0.91% of personal assistant job postings
46. Working with people with developmental disabilities: Included in 0.85% of personal assistant job postings
47. Driving: Included in 0.82% of personal assistant job postings
48. Dementia care: Included in 0.76% of personal assistant job postings
49. Accounting: Included in 0.74% of personal assistant job postings
50. Resident’s rights: Included in 0.74% of personal assistant job postings
¹Indeed data (US), January 2023 – Dec 2023
