We often hear from candidates who are interested in transitioning from nanny roles into family assistant or personal assistant positions. Being in business since 1958, we have had the honor of watching many candidates grow in their roles over time – starting as nannies, then moving into family assistant, personal assistant, and even estate manager positions! Growth in private service is absolutely possible!
There isn’t one roadmap for making this transition – it’s all about timing and building new skills with each role you take on and being thoughtful about how these new positions contribute to your long-term career goals.
Families hiring personal assistants often look for candidates with 2-5 years of direct PA experience. However, FA experience can be relevant depending on the scope of duties. Just like nanny and family assistant roles, PA duties can vary widely based on the principal’s needs.
In many cases, family assistant duties naturally overlap with personal assistant responsibilities. The primary shift is moving from a role that is centered around childcare to one with more admin and household support. This might include managing complex calendars, coordinating travel, handling correspondence, liaising with vendors, or overseeing household projects.
Our advice is to review PA job descriptions on our job board and assess where your current experience aligns – and where there may be gaps. When looking for your next role, focus on opportunities that allow you to hone those administrative skills. Small growth matter and demonstrating that you are proactively building relevant skills, expanding your scope of responsibility, and thinking ahead shows you are focused and dedicated!
