Professional CV Advice For Securing A Family Office PA Role

Your CV is the first opportunity you get to make a positive impression on any potential new employer, particularly when looking to work as a Private PA for a family. So, it is vital it is well written, accurate and reflects you. If you are looking for advice on how to write a CV for a Family Office PA role, you are in luck. Below we look at how to construct your CV to ensure you are represented in the best possible way to secure a Family Office Personal Assistant role that meets your salary goals.

Tips for writing a stand-out Family Office PA CV

Structure

A CV needs to be easy to read and understand. Keep it concise, relevant and to a maximum of two A4 pages. Less is more and we advise to keep the format simple, using a traditional font and in black. Do explain all gaps in employment and make sure it is in chronological order with the most recent role, at the top.

We also advise that CVs remain in a standard Word document without too many images, logos or colours which will only distract from your experience.

Bullet point your experience

Your employment experience is the most important section of your CV and must be listed one role at a time. Employers in fast-paced roles often only have time to quickly scan CVs for relevant work experience, so it is helpful to show your duties in bullet point format to make them easier to read. For example:

Oriel Partners (Recruitment)

PA, Family Office: July 2018 – Present

• Planned all travel arrangements for business and private travel, including arranging visas, travel, accommodation and restaurants, entertainment as required. This included private jet and yacht management for the wider family.
• Day to day diary management and coordination of meetings and calls, often over several time zones, and ever-changing diaries.
• Liaised with the Charities Aid Foundation regarding charitable trusts.
• Liaised with Accountants, Finance and Legal representatives on the principals’ behalf.
• Oversaw the maintenance and refurbishment of all properties across multiple locations in liaison with household staff and chiefs of staff.
• Updating the company website and providing ad hoc administrative support and executive assistance to high-level senior management as required.

Highlight progression

Too much movement on your CV doesn’t create a good first impression, so if you have worked in several roles within one company it is a good idea to list each job title under the one company name. This also shows you have progressed internally which is also a good sign to future employers. For example:

Oriel Partners (Recruitment)

Family Office PA: June 2018 – Present

Family Office Team Assistant: January 2015 – June 2018

Make your interests interesting!

This is especially important if you are at the start of your career and do not have a huge amount of PA work experience to show. Your interests can be a section of your CV which stands out from others and it can become a good talking point at an interview. Socialising or partying should not be included! Examples include sporting achievements that show leadership and team playing skills, or awards won in the workplace. Perhaps any voluntary work you have carried out, or challenges you have succeeded in.

Professional qualifications

If you have completed a specific Family Office PA course or studied for another professional qualification, Business or Administrative, which is relevant to the role you are applying for, insert here.

Things to avoid when writing an executive assistant resume

A generic personal statement

Personal statements are a very good way to make your CV stand out. This should include a brief overview of your skills, experience and what you are looking for in your next role. Don’t make it too chatty and make it relevant to the type of roles that you are applying for. There is nothing worse than a CV saying the candidate is looking to work in the creative sector when they are applying to a corporate role. To help make sure your CV is adequately tailored, refer to a job description for a role that is similar to the roles you are applying for.

Spelling mistakes

An experienced interviewer will easily be able to spot any discrepancies on a CV. Make sure the format is consistent all the way through and double-check there are no spelling and grammatical errors, you will be surprised how many typos even the most professional PAs forget to correct.

Missing off your contact details

Importantly, your CV should have all of your personal details on it – name, address, contact number and email address, so companies can quickly see how to contact you and see your location. It is also important to ensure you have a working voicemail when you are actively job hunting, to ensure you don’t miss that all-important call!

Too much detail

Try to avoid listing every qualification you have ever received or part-time role you did when you were still in education if they are not relevant to your job search. You want to ensure the reader's eye is focused on the most relevant roles which will help you to secure that all-important next position.

Embellishing the truth

Your CV needs to be completely accurate, including dates, duties and qualifications. Either at the interview stage or during the referencing process, any untruths will become obvious, so it is important you represent yourself accurately. Employers and recruiters will not take kindly to false information and it is better you secure a role through your own merits.

Check out a stand-out CV template

For more information on how to layout a stand-out CV, please download our Family Office PA CV template.

Download Your CV Template Here