Could I become a PA, do you think?

[GettingStuffDoneInSlippers]

The job appeals to me.

At a glance, I entered into admin in a private dental surgery and within 6 months was made 'head of admin' - Doing everything and anything under the sun, the surgery moved from private to NHS and they didn't bother to recruit anyone else more experienced than me when the former 'head of admin' resigned. So I was thrown into the deep end, as such.

Then a new dentist joined and used me for personal duties too, on the side (more money for me). His personal finances, holiday researches, bookings, etc

Left there April last year after being there for 4 years.

I then went to work as a Medical Secretary for two Drs - so audio typing, minute taking, diary management, post/letter management etc.

I'm technically still there, due back from Maternity in July.

Would I be an okay candidate to perhaps start at the bottom PA wise, in a private sector/corporate environment?

DH thinks not (he works in properly management and insists they'd all be looking for much more than me). I'm also aware many PAs/EAs are degree educated and I am not.

He insists I'm overestimating my own skills within my work - I am not! It's full on, but then again NHS often is

Thanks all for any replies or advice

It sounds to me like you are already doing a lot of a PA's job so yes you can do it.
It's a bit worrying that your husband is being so negative about your skills. Why would he want to try to stop you going for a job you want?

Of course you could be a PA!

With the experience you already have I know that you would have been a potential candidate to be a PA at my previous employer (a charity paying PAs roughly £28k so not mega bucks).

There are some more demanding PA jobs where you'd need previous PA experience but you have a lot going for you in terms of applying for many PA jobs. You can put a lot of emphasis on the things that working for the NHS has given you experience of: working in an environment where confidentiality is imperative, having to prioritise workload, working under pressure etc.

Your dh doesn’t sound very encouraging. You sound like you’re doing marvellously. The only thing I’ve found is that it can be hard to get a foot in the door and show how good you are. To give you an example I was a pa in a commercial insurance company - when I was made redundant an agency wouldn’t put me forward to interview for a pa in commercial property because the client wanted someone who had worked in that exact area (and could get them). I do have a degree and an MSc, but I am an under achiever for various reasons, so I’m not sure this is any indication of what you need.

your husband doesn't sound very supportive - is that normal for him?

But back to the PA question - you sound like you could definitely do it - but perhaps take a read through this thread for some experience on the other side
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/employment_issues/3174044-PA-boundaries-and-admin-support?msgid=76200840#76200840

Wow! Why is your DH being so discouraging?! My husband is by no means perfect, but one thing I will grant him is that he is always my biggest cheerleader. What a shame that your DH seems to be talking down your skills.

What skills or experience in particular does he think you are lacking? Can he be specific?

All PAs have to start somewhere, and a solid admin background would be very useful.If it's what you want to do, why not go for it?!

Thank you, very helpful replies!

Indeed, there is a lot of emphases within the NHS on time management and confidentiality... Although I can't manage my own time all that well because I'm always staying late Some things are just impossible to get on top of When departments are understaffed and pleading for help with extra workloads from various sources

You don't need a degree to be a PA!

As for DH, I think he's worried I won't be here for our DS as much and answering emails in the evening

The former isn't true, going back to any type of work will obviously mean less time with DS. The latter probably is but all we do in the evenings is sit on our mobiles after dinner so I can't see how it'd change much

He also reasons that the NHS aren't corporate and are much more 'slack'

I'm a PA, not degree educated and my role before my current job was office manager.

You can definitely do it with your background and transferable skills, you should go for it!

I second those that have called out your DH for being unsupportive. You're not underestimating yourself - your DH is underestimating you.

My reply took ages to type, just noticed the link posted above. It's worth reading and being aware that some organisations/people are unpleasant to work for. However, that's true of all jobs.

I thought long and hard before becoming a PA, as I knew I couldn't gamble and work for just anyone (i.e. someone I'd end up hating). I interviewed my 'boss to be' just as much as he interviewed me and I made sure to meet the other directors that I'd be working closely with. I only accepted the job once I knew we clicked!

Make sure to get a good grasp of the role, office/team/company culture and expectations before accepting an offer. Due to the 'one to one' nature of most PA roles, it's vital that it's a good fit for both parties.

Make sure you write your CV in skill-set style, showcase yourself and turn every negative into a positive and yes I think you'll be more than successful at being a PA. Now I apologise for what I'm about to say if it offends anyone but I can only speak for my own personal experience. I've spent some time (albeit brief over the entirety of my career so far) working in the public sector and I can honestly say that (as far as office staff go) there is no go in 90% of them. There is a massive chasm between public sector "oh it's nearly 5pm, I'll get my coat and start that tape tomorrow" and private sector, "it's 4.45 I'll make a start on that tape now, answer a few questions from a salesman, end up writing a letter that needs to go tonight, oh and it's suddenly 6pm turned". Take from that what you will, there's nothing specifically wrong with either type of environment it's just they both suit certain types of people (be that because of their lifestyle and commitments outside of work, or their personal approach).

The only thing I would say from experience is work out where you are willing to draw the line and stick to it. That may be with regard to what services you are willing to arrange, whether you are willing to work outside the normal 9 to 5 etc. That is the only thing I would caution you on, in my experience I was always expected to be available. Work till gone midnight on a tender, yes; answer random calls on a bank holiday because your boss has had a fight with his wife and gone into the empty office (and doesn't know where a thing is)...

The only other thing I will say is that a good PA needs balls. You can't be afraid to step up and say no, point out errors, and admit mistakes (and resolve them) promptly. It is not for everybody, and anyone that thinks it's the same as a secretary is very, very wrong. A PA is much more than a secretary and certainly more than an administrator.

Best of luck!

Poppins Thank you, Congratulations on your new job. Do you enjoy it?

Office manager sounds more credible and higher ranking than my title, Associate Medical Secretary, doesn't it?

That's not to say I'm unsuitable but perhaps your previous role fits better since management and dealing with those around you on a senior level was more in the job spec?

Annie Thank you for your reply. I agree - From what I can grasp as an outsider who's taken on 'PA skills' within the years I've been working

My aunts was an EA, she found the job incredibly demanding but loved the feeling of being needed and making plans, meeting deadlines etc

DH says he wouldn't do it because the PAs he knows are always somebody's dog body

You don't need a degree but it's useful. When I started working I only knew one other university educated PA but it's more common now. Personally, I think good organisational skills and good English are more important. You sound more than capable of doing the job. I've been a senior PA for years and I'd say you're doing a lot of the work already.

Incidentally I've worked in both property management and development in the past and don't know what your husband is on about. I've worked in several industries and the work was no more difficult than others (although the people were) and the PAs no more qualified.

Go for it, you'll be fine!

DH says he wouldn't do it because the PAs he knows are always somebody's dog body

That was my experience of property companies, which is why I left. They just weren't nice people, frankly.

Just don't take a job in property

My boss is a CEO in an international organisation and I have a good work/life balance. It depends on the industry and the boss. Although when I'm on holiday he does tend to flounder.

@GettingStuffDoneInSlippers

I've been in my 'new' role for almost 2 years now (sorry, I should have been clearer! ).

I love it, I feel fulfilled and enjoy being in charge of my own workload. My boss is great to work for and we get on well. I'm feeling a little sad that I'll be going on maternity leave in September... I have yet to break the news to my boss.

In terms of skill set, I'd say to ignore job title. A job title is purely a label, future employers will look at your (transferable) skills. As an 'Office Manager' I was doing a mix of HR, invoicing, building maintenance, admin, general 'keeping everybody organised', some PA/travel/'looking after the director' activities, etc.

As 'PA' I work directly for the managing director. I do HR, some finance/admin work, building maintenance, travel, diary management, proof reading, 'big ad hoc projects', have input into certain business decisions, organise everything under the sun and keep people in check/on track for deadlines. There's a lot of variety. I'm currently coordinating an office move!

As you can see, it's really all about transferable skills, which you have in bucket loads.

A PA job can be great if you work 1:1 or 1:2 but these days it is often the office dogsbody.

As someone above said, read my thread:-

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/employment_issues/3174044-PA-boundaries-and-admin-support

I am mid-forties now and have been a PA since my late 20s. It used to be great when there were lots of PAs and admin staff back in the day. Now it just seems to be massive workloads of rubbishy admin work. It is stressful and thankless.

I've got another job and I'm going in a completely different direction.

Think long and hard about becoming a PA.

Thank you for the input, I think I'll definitely be keeping away from property!

My aunty was an EA (now retired at 45, lucky woman). I think I mentioned this already? Anyway, she has advised that it is very much 1:100 instead of 1:1 or 1:2 like it was for her, as she has many good contacts and friends still in the job or using PAs

I really feel it'll be the role for me so I'm certainly going to give it a go.

Thanks again!

If it's 1:100 you will need the hide of a rhino!

Good luck!

I went from being an NHS medical secretary to a PA in banking (London) on 35k plus bonus, healthcare etc.

I can’t say I would really advise anybody to be a PA/EA. It’s not the most interesting or challenging role and you are often treated as an admin dogsbody.

There is a massive chasm between public sector "oh it's nearly 5pm, I'll get my coat and start that tape tomorrow" and private sector, "it's 4.45 I'll make a start on that tape now, answer a few questions from a salesman, end up writing a letter that needs to go tonight, oh and it's suddenly 6pm turned"

Where I work, you could walk in maybe an hour or more after going home time, and there will be non- clinical staff still working. That has been the case in every NHS organisation I've worked for. No lunches down the pub or early finishes for socials in the way I've enjoyed in the private sector.

Going back to the OP, you'd definitely be able to do it with great transferable skills. Go for it and ignore your 'D' H.

There is pretty much no 9 to 5 anywhere. Private sector and public sector is like the SAHM and WOHM debate.

Everybody is working really hard. Not sure many people have time for lunch down the pub anywhere.

For me the distinguishing skill of a great PA over a secretary or office manager is the ability to anticipate the needs of the person/people you’re working with. My best PAs have been able to join the dots on what I’d need for meetings, information I’d need to know, when I would want prep time and recovery time for certain meetings etc.