How do I become a PA?

[ThirdNameChange]

I've been a Medical Secretary for 5 years now.

First at a dental surgery, then for the Orthopaedic Department in a London Hospital - I work for two Drs. I'm currently on maternity leave. I won't be having any more DC.

I have a lot of transferable skills, and I've tried focusing on these during interviews. However, I never hear anything back For any similar roles to my current one, I hear back within days usually (for interview).

I work for the NHS.

I'd like to branch out and become a PA for a more corporate field.

Transferable skills would be...

Organised
Highly reliable
Minute taking
Email
Scheduling
Post handling
Meet/greet
Fast typist, very accurate too.
Quick to spot mistakes
Good at using my own initiative
Good at prioritising workload
Complaint handling.
Good telephone/professional manner.
I would definitely say I 'look' the part.

I don't have dairy management experience as such, perhaps that is holding me back? I do however have experience managing meeting times, and slotting in patients, handling cancellations, etc.

Any advice? I would love to be a PA. How could I enter into this field and develop my prospects even further, into EA eventually?

Thank you Parker

Congratulations. Fingers crossed it works out and you get the experience you need and you never know...

Thank you! On way to interview now, it's at 11. I'll keep you all informed on how I think it went

Good luck! Remember, you can discuss and agree working hours if you are offered the role. Don't worry them asking about it now unless they bring it up.

I'm just waiting to hear back, they said they'd let me know by 4.

I think it went so well, touch wood

Fingers crossed for you :)

Your skills look great for a PA but I'd like to suggest:
"Quick to spot mistakes" - change this to "A great eye for detail" a it seems critical.
"Fast typist, very accurate too." change to Fast, accurate typist" (otherwise it sounds like accuracy is a bonus!)
"Complaint handling" - add something about successful resolution.
At the top of the list I'd expect to see more technical skills - MS Office (Powerpoint presentations, advanced Word, excellent Excel skills), GoogleDocs, OneDrive etc.
My own PA also has to book lots of flights/hotels so the ability to book flawless travel arrangements is a must. Additionally many PAs have a second langauge I believe (my own has Mandarin Chinese for tech meetings although I speak it too).
What does your CV look like? Are you confident it is perfect?

Brilliant news. Sounds very promising but be aware that events companies tend to have unsociable hours.

Arggh!!

Good luck op!!!

"Complaint handling" - add something about successful resolution.

I would phrase it as conflict resolution

You can also turn the complaint handling into gatekeeper experience.

I got offered the job!

I must say though, the team are very... blunt and look like they never smile.

I also haven't been called. I got an email about an hour ago saying "Hi Third, hope you are well. On reflection, we think you'd be a great member of the team. Please reply soon with a yes or no. Thanks"

The office looks lovely but the people in it seem very tense and I caught two people arguing about something or other in the corner just as I was leaving after the interview

Amazing!!! Even if you decide it’s not the place for you then it shows you can do it and the few tweaks to your CV were all you needed. Congratulations! Definitely worth considering though, you know it’s not forever as it’s a temp role and it could you give the right experience on your CV to go for something more corporate when it ends. The arguing is a little worrying though...

Well done!

Did they talk about working hours and pay at the interview?

so pleased. And also delighted that i didnt not shortlist you this weekend :)

If it is temp and it will give you the CV you want then perhaps go for it.. or maybe not if it is not giving you the vibe..

helpful

Congratulations!

I have to say that it all sounds very sudden - they found you, invited you in for interview and offered you the job very quickly. What’s your gut feeling?

Oh and can you put PA or secretary on your CV and leave off the medical bit? That’s what I did!