Interested in pursuing a higher paying job or starting a new, fruitful career?
The following are the highest paying jobs in the UK (in 2022)
Everyone wants their monthly pay packet to contain a lot of zeros. We work hard, and when it comes time to get paid, we want to see our effort reflected in our wages. But that’s not always the case! Sometimes our paycheques can feel a pittance in comparison to the amount of labour we put in on a daily basis.
Well, now’s your chance to have a look at the highest-paying jobs in the UK. Have a look at this list and find out if your dream career is on the list of lucrative jobs.
As you can see, some of these financially rewarding careers require some specialised training or additional education. Of course, if you don’t want to head to the classroom, you’ll want to head down to the bottom of this list. There you’ll find our top-paying jobs that require no degree.
If you see a position you’re not qualified for, have a peek at our home learning courses. You’ll be able to see if you can gain the required training from the comfort of your sofa. You’ll be raking in the cash in no time at all.
Remaining at the top of our list for another year is the job of a chief financial officer. CFOs manage a company or corporations finances, ensuring that everything is reported and balanced correctly.
How Much Do They Get Paid?
What are the Entry Requirements?
As a CFO, you’ll need to have at least a BA level degree in maths, business, or economics. Shareholders in the business will expect you to have at least a decade of highly relevant experience, with a proven track record of profitability and success.
Although the top entry for our highest paying jobs may have remained the same, the rest have changed drastically! The first new entry is the role of Vice President of Sales. The Vice President of Sales monitors the sales teams and operations of a corporation. Their main aim is to support their companies sales efforts and ensure that sales targets are met to boost the profitability of the company. To excel in this role, you must be good with numbers and able to run a team successfully.
To become a successful Vice President of Sales, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a related field – commonly, this is finance, economics or marketing. Additionally, you’ll need a visible record of success. Because of this, many sales professionals start off as sales reps to earn promotions and move up in the company.
An orthodontist is a specialist dentist who focuses on problems with the jaw and straightening crooked teeth. Other problems you can expect to treat as an orthodontist include tooth crowding, palate expansion and the application of braces, retainers and orthodontic headgear. Although orthodontists can treat patients of any age, they often look after children and young adults whose jaws are still developing. As this job often requires working with children, you must be patient and able to deal with children in a calm manner.
A job in orthodontics requires an approved degree in dentistry, with high-grade GCSEs that must include chemistry and biology[i] . Following a successful degree, you will have to take a specialist course to become an orthodontist. Overall, this process can take around 10 years to complete.
A nephrologist is a medical specialist that focuses on diagnosing and treating kidney diseases. The conditions they treat include kidney stones, kidney cancer and kidney failure. Additionally, nephrologists can also expect to treat patients with conditions that could lead to kidney failure, such as high blood pressure and autoimmune diseases.
Becoming a nephrologist requires an in-depth knowledge of how kidney diseases can affect the rest of the body’s organs and functions, so you will have to complete medical school. However, in order to get to medical school, you must have a relevant bachelor’s degree. Some of the best subjects to take to nephrology include biology, chemistry, nursing and similar topics. Following a successful bachelor’s degree and the completion of medical school, you must complete a residency programme, until you are qualified to take the nephrology certificate exam.
Medical specialists have taken our highest paying jobs list by storm – and here’s another one! Ophthalmologists are medical doctors that specialise in treating diseases of the eye. These doctors are qualified as both physicians and surgeons, meaning they can also perform surgical procedures. Ophthalmologists can deal with a wide range of issues, like cataracts, eye injuries and squints, and surgical procedures, like oculoplastic surgery and corneal transplants.
Becoming an ophthalmologist first requires going through medical school, which you need at least A or A* passes at A level to enrol in. Following medical school, which typically takes between 4-5 years to complete, you’ll have to join a two-year foundation programme. This course requires you to work in six placements across different settings. Finally, after your foundation programme, you can apply for specialist training in ophthalmology.
Not everyone has the resources, time, or desire to go to Uni and earn a degree. Instead, these well-paid jobs don’t require a degree – you can often gain the experience needed on the job or in vocational training programmes.
MP’s may have rather a bad reputation depending on their constituency. But, maybe, you could be the one to change that! A member of parliament is a representative of the people living in their area, and they must act in the nation’s interest. To become an MP, you must belong to a political party and act in their interest.
The wage of a member of parliament remains the same no matter their constituency. Naturally, should you aim to move up higher in the government, this wage will increase.
Although you don’t need any specific qualifications or degrees to become a member of parliament, the appointment process can be tiresome. First, you must ensure that you meet the correct requirements. Then, you can declare your candidacy and submit the required nomination forms and deposit. However, once you’re up for election, the hard work is just beginning. You must show your community that you will stand for their rights and pledge promises that you are sure you’ll be able to deliver.
Another comeback on our list, albeit lower than last year, is the air traffic controller. If you’ve ever flown in an aeroplane, your life has been in an air traffic controller’s hands. This is one of the world’s most stressful careers, as they keep everyone in the skies and on the ground safe and sound. You’ll monitor the traffic in the skies, and guide and advise pilots on how to land safely and on schedule. It’s a big responsibility, but it pays extremely well.
Surprisingly, air traffic controllers are not required to have a degree. However, they need to have five GCSEs and a valid air traffic controller’s licence. To earn this license, you must pass the 3-year NATS vocational course. It’s an elite field – only 0.5% of applicants (that’s 15 out of 3,300) pass the course and get hired each year. Do you have what it takes?
Estate agents stand as a buffer between buyers and sellers, arranging negotiations for the purchasing and renting of property. If you consider yourself a people person with a good personality for sales, the role of an estate agent could be perfect for you. And, with one of the highest salaries you can achieve without a degree, you certainly might think so!
Although it isn’t essential to obtain a degree in a relevant subject, you do have the advantageous option. For example, you could complete a degree in business studies or estate management. However, it’s not essential. A non-degree approach to becoming an estate agent is to simply apply! By applying to become a trainee sales negotiator, an administrator in an estate agents company or a similar role, you can learn on the job and work your way up through the company. Alternatively, you may be able to go through an apprenticeship as a junior estate agent.
Children often dream of becoming a firefighter – no other job seems as heroic and exciting! Protecting your community while helping to prevent and put fires is certainly a noble occupation. It’s also a well-compensated career – station managers can earn more than £40,000 per year. However, a regular firefighter’s salary naturally starts a little lower than this! But, as you rise through the ranks, so too will your salary.
Every fire service sets its own entry requirements. Most will require you to have at least 4 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths. You’ll then need to undertake a number of written and physical exams. Make sure you’re in good shape!
If you love sports and fitness, then you could turn that passion into quite a high paying career through personal training. The job of a personal trainer is to use their knowledge and skills to advise clients on achieving their fitness goals. In some gyms, particularly those in and around London, you can expect to earn up to £60,000 a year through personal training! However, if you live outside of the capital, don’t worry – the career of a personal trainer is still a relatively high paying one.
Although you don’t necessarily need a degree to become a personal trainer, there are several college or online sports coaching courses you can take to get ahead. In order to enrol in these courses, you’ll need at least 2 GCSEs above a pass level. Alternatively, you could also enrol on an apprenticeship. However, if you want to get stuck straight in, you can apply to become a personal trainer straight away[v].
Now that you’ve checked out the highest paid jobs in the UK both with a degree and without a degree, are you ready to get started on your new path?
Glassdoor (2020). Broker Salaries in London Area. [online] Glassdoor. Available at: https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/london-broker-salary-SRCH_IL.0,6_IM1035_KO7,13.htm [Accessed 16 Dec. 2020].
McKeever, V. (2020). These are the UK’s best paid jobs in 2020, says Indeed. [online] CNBC. Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/08/these-are-the-uks-best-paid-jobs-in-2020-says-indeed.html [Accessed 16 Dec. 2020].
National Career Service (2019). Tram driver | Explore careers | National Careers Service. [online] nationalcareers.service.gov.uk. Available at: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/tram-driver [Accessed 16 Dec. 2020].
Payscale (2020). General Surgeon Salary in United Kingdom | PayScale. [online] www.payscale.com. Available at: https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=General_Surgeon/Salary [Accessed 16 Dec. 2020].
Prospects (2018). Air traffic controller job profile | Prospects.ac.uk. [online] Prospects.ac.uk. Available at: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/air-traffic-controller [Accessed 16 Dec. 2020].
Prospects (2020). Police officer job profile | Prospects.ac.uk. [online] www.prospects.ac.uk. Available at: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/police-officer#:~:text=The%20starting%20salary%20for%20police.
Robert Half (2019). Average finance director salaries in the UK. [online] www.roberthalf.co.uk. Available at: https://www.roberthalf.co.uk/salary-guide/accounting-finance/finance-director-salaries#:~:text=A%20finance%20director%20average%20salary [Accessed 16 Dec. 2020].
Thompson, S. (2020). What’s the Difference Between a Marketing Manager and a Marketing Director? [online] Work – Chron.com. Available at: https://work.chron.com/whats-difference-between-marketing-manager-marketing-director-7509.html [Accessed 16 Dec. 2020].
[i] https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/dentist
[iii] https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/members/pay-mps/
[iv] https://www.reed.co.uk/average-salary/average-estate-agent-salary
[v] https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/personal-trainer
If you have labelled 2018 as the year for a career change, you need to know if the job title you are hoping for is one that is in demand with employers.
Or if you are looking to take the next step in your career, you may be wondering what the best move is.
And with this in mind, we thought we could take a look at what are predicted to be the most in-demand professionals this year…
It comes as no surprise that the in the thick of the digital era, that at least one of the careers listed will be related to computers, computing and the like.
In fact, when we took a look at some of the most exciting new job titles, social media guru was one of those listed, along with lifestyle bloggers, two roles that require an in-depth understanding and a relatively high level of skill when it comes to computing and the online world.
It comes as no surprise that big and small companies are looking for computer software engineers and with big changes like GDPR causing headaches for businesses and organisations, you can see why a career in computing is still a great choice.
The UK, it is said, has an obesity crisis and as such, we are (slowly) beginning to realise the need to get fit and stay fit.
At one time, a personal fitness trainer was reserved for the rich and famous. More people are training as fitness trainers and as such, boot camps and individual fitness sessions are now far more commonplace than they were.
If you want to get yourself in great shape, shed a few pounds and tone up, it is not unheard of to hire your own fitness trainer or, better still, join in with a small group of other people for bespoke fitness sessions.
As well as employment opportunities with gyms and spas, many fitness instructors and trainers are starting their own businesses.
Up the stakes by running an online fitness blog and creating your own pick up a healthy lunch, and you can see the possibilities for a fantastic business.
Austerity is still biting in the UK and it is not just businesses and government departments that are feeling the financial squeeze.
Even though we are told the worst is over, many people are still struggling financially. Food banks, once unheard of in the UK, are now commonplace in towns and cities across the country and who uses food banks may surprise you.
Financial advisors, including debt advisors, are now in demand to help people get more from their money and to manage debt, something that more and more people are having to manage alongside their household budget.
This may surprise you to see it on the list but in some ways, it is part and parcel of the current attitude relating to work and health.
On one hand, we have reports that point to out unhealthy habits and high obesity rates but on the other, we have reports that highlight how we are living longer.
And this means an ageing population, some of whom have specific health and medical needs.
With the NHS buckling under the pressure, a more diverse approach is needed and, as a result, employers are taking more of an active role in helping their employees to be healthy and stay healthy.
Not all health concerns are related to work but with occupation health therapists in hot demand, if you fancy this line of work, 2018 could be the year to make your move.
Following similar lines is the fact that the NHS not only has a shortage of nurses but is also an entity that is always growing and developing.
In NHS England, only 1 in 400 nursing vacancies are filled and this means lives are at risk. And don’t just assume that the only options are nursing on wards.
There are opportunities to specialise in key areas of the healthcare profession and plenty of opportunities to expand your skill set which is why many choose to take on additional forms of education by completing courses like English, accountancy and psychology courses online.
There are other professions and job roles that are increasing in demand too, including nail technicians and beauticians too, and not just for female clients either! The job roles we see developing today are as a result of the demands and needs of the world we live – a place that looks very different from that of 20 years ago.
If you’re looking for a job and find yourself struggling to land one, then it may not be for the reason that you think.
When is the best time to find a job?
Even if you have a ton of great experience and have brushed up on your skills using online home learning courses, there are certain times of the year where it can be more difficult to land a job than others. This isn’t true for every single industry. Some places will hire as and when they require a new employee. Read on to find out about the worst (and best) times of the year to get job hunting.
The worst months for job hunting are November and December.
The holiday period from November to December isn’t the best time to look for a job. There are various reasons for this. First of all, most employees are feeling festive at this time and are more focused on enjoying the holiday period and wrapping up campaigns and work-related items. They are hardly in the mood to be scheduling interviews and posting up job vacancies. Many managers prefer to spend their year-end focusing on tying up any loose ends rather than making any fresh starts. Many people also go on holiday during the last two weeks of December, making it the worst month by far for hiring or interviewing new candidates.
June – August can be quiet for recruitment
The summer months are not the best time to kick off your job hunt. During this period, most managers are keen to get their holiday time in. With so many employees being away at any given time, it can be hard to get together the necessary team members for an interview.
Companies want to make sure that all the important decision makers are present and available before any new candidate is hired. This is less likely to be the case during the summer months.
Though it’s unlikely that there will be many jobs posted during this time, you can spend time refining your CV and embarking on home learning courses to add to your skill set. This way, you can still be busy working on preparing yourself for your job hunt without making applications.
The beginning of the year can be the best time to look for a job
If you’re looking to schedule your job hunt around the most effective time of the year, it’s advisable that you start looking in January and February. These two months are widely considered to be the two when the job market is most active. This means that you’re much more likely to be successful in landing a new job.
As everyone settles back into work mode after the holiday period, many companies will re-assess their team and workloads and decide how many new people they need to take on. A number of existing employees might decide to quit and have a fresh start, leaving their job roles open and ready to be filled by someone new. Some people also make it their new year’s resolution to quit their job, which means that, generally, there’s a lot of movement in the job market during this period.
The job market picks up during the autumn period
The months of September and October are also good months to start looking for a job. Again, most people will be back from their summer holidays. It’s much more likely that they’ll be available for interviews. There can also be a little more downtime before the company descends into the busy Christmas period. This makes it easier for managers to find the time to schedule interviews.
Although job hunting can be done at any time throughout the year, it makes sense to focus it around these two periods if you have the luxury to plan and choose when to do it. Of course, if you have no choice but to start looking, then the best thing to do is just to get going! Invest in some home learning courses to help your CV stand out and give yourself an edge over your competition.
With 2018 approaching fast, you may be searching for a fresh start. If you’re looking for a change of career, why not explore something a little different this year?
Changing Your Career
Even if you don’t currently have the skills for a new and exciting job that you’re looking for, you can always take courses or do some distance learning online.
There are so many jobs out there that have been recently introduced to the market, and now might be the time to go down one of these new and unusual paths. You could become specialised in something that not many others are before the market for that job becomes crowded and competitive.
It can be helpful to get some inspiration to help you think of jobs outside the box. We’ve compiled a list of exciting new jobs out there that are worth considering if you’re just starting your career or looking for a fresh start!
Social media guru
Who isn’t on social media these days? This is a communication channel that’s here to stay. The more time we spend on the internet, the more brands are realising that this is the ultimate place to target potential consumers. You could be someone who helps to make that happen. Social media management is a thriving industry to get into now. If you are used to using social media purely for personal purposes, then you can brush up on it with the various social media distance learning courses available on the Internet.
Organic consultant
How cool is that job title? Are you passionate about organic food and always encourage your friends and family to eat organic? This food trend is hugely popular, with many consumers choosing to go down the organic path only. And many food producers are opting to go down this route as well!
An organic consultant is someone who assists farmers and food producers on the more technical elements of organic production and farming. To get into this field, you will need a certain amount of experience working in the organic industry, as well as relevant qualifications. If this sounds exciting to you, then it’s worth checking out online courses and distance learning options to help you learn more.
Software developer
Though the job title isn’t the most exciting, this is a great time to get into computer programming. Anyone can be a software developer if they put their mind to it. Roles in this sector mean you are constantly learning and expanding your knowledge as the industry grows! This could be the dream job for those of you who are looking to join an industry that is fast paced and constantly developing. And your skills are bound to be valuable for a long time to come. If you specialise in developing a specific category, e.g. gaming development, then this can really be quite a lucrative career path to go down.
Crisis manager
Do your friends always tell you, “you’re good in a crisis”? Then crisis management might be the perfect job for you! You can be a crisis manager for a politician or a business. If you know how to put a positive spin on a negative situation or image, this can be an extremely exciting job to go for. And let’s face it, the job title sounds super cool!
Lifestyle blogger
Yes, some people are making insane amounts of money simply by sharing their lives on Instagram or YouTube. This is a job title that more and more of the younger generation are attempting to obtain. As a lifestyle blogger, you have the possibility to be your own brand. You must be comfortable with sharing your life and communicating to a large audience, even if it’s just online. The perks of being a lifestyle blogger are:
Pick your passion and start blogging about it! It helps if you’re a good photographer or know your way around filming equipment. It can take a lot to get the ball rolling and having your follower count increase, so you must be extremely committed to take on this role.
There are many more new and exciting job roles that you can take on- and new jobs are being created all the time! Why not start looking for your dream job today!
The jobs market is notoriously difficult to navigate and at times unpredictable thus, finding a stable career path is daunting. But with the right graduate career courses under your belt, there should be plenty of choice in your chosen field. We take a look at the top 10 graduate career choices over the year.
#1 Data Analyst
Number crunchers for Government and private business not only here in the UK but worldwide, have always been important. Gathering data can be simple enough but analysing and interpreting it so that it is understandable is the key for any successful data analyst.
If you have the desire to analyse in depth and securely store data, then you will be hot demand for Government departments and big business. It is also a constantly changing field and thus, with cognitive computing on the horizon, there is plenty to get your teeth into.
Great for people who love numbers, statistics and information in all formats. Consider courses in accountancy, as well as business management and administration.
#2 Technical Architect
The digital revolution has reached every part of every sector and industry. Within the field of architecture, software packages have become so much more detailed and advanced than a career as a technical architect is certainly a possibility.
As well as designing, technical architects are seen as highly skilled people to whom people look for solid leadership and management skills within a competitive and creative industry. Mastering the art of management will set you apart.
Consider graduate career courses in architecture backed with business administration and management, as well as leadership courses.
#3 Plumber
Surprised to see this on the list? For a long time, decades in fact, qualified plumbers have slowly been in decline – try to find one that can respond to your emergency call in an ‘emergency timeframe’ and you will know what we mean.
Like so many other vocations, it is not just a need for qualified plumbers but for people qualified in the widening sphere of gadgets and technology that is underpinning plumbing today. For example, homes and no longer heated by gas central heating with many of us choosing renewable energy options such as biomass heating systems. This is considered a specialist area of plumbing and thus, equipping yourself with these skills should mean you are in demand.
As well as an underpinning course in plumbing, consider specialising in up and coming areas such as ground source heat pumps and more.
#4 Customer Officer
The way we shop has changed and that means, the way businesses track their customers and their spending habits have changed too.
Increasingly, companies are looking for individuals who can work across a range of channels and social media platforms. It is becoming increasingly rare for companies to employ people who do not have some kind of background in social media.
But, just because you use Facebook to keep your friends updated on your life does not mean you are ‘qualified’ to work across social media for a large corporation. As well as internal guidelines and policies, there are also some important laws relating to social media and internet protocol in general.
As a customer or communication ‘officer’, you would be expected to understand these rules and regulations, and abide by them as well as translate them across the business’s online efforts.
As well as strong social media and online skills, you are expected to a strong communicator and a strategic thinker, able to understand the longer-term implications of not only customer service and interaction online, but across any high street stores too.
A fast-paced career, this kind of role could see you work for small to large businesses not only here in the UK but across the world. It is also the type of grounding that works well for starting your own business. Consider graduate courses with a firm foundation in communications, current business practice and social media or online marketing.
#5 Accountant
Accountancy has always been a popular career choice but here’s the thing: with Brexit on the horizon, the world of work and the economy is set for change. No one knows how the Brexit negotiations will pan out nor how, when we eventually do leave the European Union, how our economy will react.
This period of flux will be a concerning time for all businesses, especially those with European connections. Businesses are looking now at creating strategies to get up through Brexit and thus, accountants of all specialities are in demand – and will continue to be in demand for some time yet.
Accountants are heavily involved in all departments, and not just the finance one. If you enjoy working with numbers and have a head for dealing with complex financial issues, your skills will be in hot demand. Consider graduate courses in accountancy, as well as specialist accountancy areas such as forensic accounting.
#6 Human Resources Manager
The pool of talent in a company is without a doubt, its most important asset and as such, HR managers are the people who find the best people and ‘look after’ them. Again, Brexit will hold many
challenges especially for companies who employ people from across Europe and beyond, such as the NHS.
But HR managers are needed not only in public bodies but private companies too. You need to be organised with an analytical outlook to ensure that the business or department has the right people in place at the right time.
You will also need to be creative as once you have the right people in place, you will need to ensure they are engaged, nurtured and developed along the career path they want to follow.
If you are interested in human resources, consider graduate courses specifically in HR as well as looking at business management and administration courses to strengthen your own skill base.
#7 Hospitality Manager
It is a growing industry in the UK and it is being presented with many challenging, but exciting opportunities. When the economy is in flux, the hospitality industry needs to be on top of its game to keep attracting people to its hotels, spas and restaurants. and again, with Brexit on the horizon, how it affects the tourism industry is yet to be seen.
Thus, hospitality managers with a developed sense of business and financial acumen are in hot demand across the hospitality and tourism industry. As well as a sound graduate basis, many hospitality employers are looking for people with a wide range of experience too, from across the board.
It is a people-centric business too and that means providing a high level of customer service, satisfying and exceeding their expectations each and every time they come in contact with the hotel, restaurant etc. This means employers are looking for people with flair, creativity and panache.
If this attracts you, consider courses that give you a firm grasp of the hospitality industry but don’t forget about gaining as much experience as possible too. Consider online or distance courses that run alongside your ‘day job’.
#8 Information Security Specialist
The digital ear has spawned many new career choices such as social media executive and content writers. An information security specialist is not only a sign of the digital but of the world we live in.
From trolls hounding people online with painful and derogatory comments, there is a whole dark underworld on the internet, sometimes known as the ‘dark web’. It is the place where people are organisations hide things in plain sight, giving instructions to their followers on how and where to act. From terrorist cells to traffickers, the threat is very real.
As well as these undertones of illegal activity, there is also the possibility of someone or an organisation gaining unauthorised access to your computer system. Hacking along with ransom demands are not uncommon and sadly, for many, the only way to deal with such a problem is to pay the ransom.
Businesses and organisations have to take strident steps to keep their data and that of their customers’ safe and as such, specialist information security personnel are key to the continuing success and online security of their business.
If you have an analytical eye, as well as in-depth knowledge of the web and security systems, then this is the ideal role for you. Consider specialist courses in information technology, as well as keeping pace with all the latest developments in this fast-moving area.
#9 Java Developer
For companies to grow, their technological presence must grow too. And that is why Java developers are in high demand and will continue to be for some time. if you have in-depth knowledge of javascript and can prove your ability to work with CSS, JMS and XML, as well as the latest frameworks, you should consider this kind of career.
Work for exciting companies looking for innovative solutions to drive them forward, and enjoy challenges and opportunities every working day. As well as highlighting your skills and abilities, consider graduate career courses not only in computer specific topics but also in business administration and development.
#10 Technical Sales Advisor
And finally, if you enjoy technology and all the latest gadgets that come to the market, why not consider a career in sales?
For those willing to take the opportunity, there are many career opportunities in what many consider to be a growth industry. For example, gadgets that make our homes and business smarter, using apps to put on lights and close curtains for example, are all things that we are beginning to embrace.
As customers, we need someone with the knowledge to show us how these technological innovations can make our lives easier and better.
Specialist knowledge will help you stand out in a pool of talent. As well as knowing your products, you need to know how to sell, how to start a conversation and close a deal. Does this sound like you?
Is your dream career listed? What do you need to do to get to where you want to be?
A personal assistant (PA) is a person that many executives and management boards rely on, across all industries and sectors.
Also known as an executive secretary or a personal/private secretary, a PA works closely with managerial and directorial staff of a business or organisation.
This support is often on a one-to-one basis and they can be an important person in the day to day running of a business, as well as its expansion.
It is a role that takes various attributes and personal qualities, and may not be one suited to everyone. PAs also need to be qualified and skilled in various functions and tasks. But before you plunge head on into any course, we suggest looking at some of these personal attributes.
Assessing whether you have them is important but one of the main attributes of being an excellent PA are organisational skills, from time management to diary management – and not just your own. Being a PA is akin to keeping many plates spinning at all times, prioritising calls and emails, protecting your boss’s time and workload. PAs are relied on heavily by their manager thus, being trustworthy with sensitive and confidential information is also key, as is reliability.
If you feel you have these qualities, moving on to look at various PA qualifications is an excellent idea.
The responsibilities of a PA
The outline of the responsibilities we give below are a generalised view. What one person needs from their PA in one business will differ greatly from another. To this end, you will need to be prepared for the fact that the term personal assistant is an umbrella one, used to describe many differing roles and responsibilities.
But our wide-ranging and broad PA diploma will take into account the main aspects of being a reliable PA at the highest level of an organisation. Responsibilities may include;
• Act as first point of contact for their manager
• Devise and maintain office systems, including data management
• Arrange travel, visas, accommodation and so on – you may be required to travel too
• Screen phone call, enquiries and requests, handling those that are appropriate for you to do so
• Meet and greet visitors
• Diary management
• Deal with emails and post
• Carry our research for presentations and reports
• Produce documents and other materials for meetings and presentations etc.
• Organise and attend meetings
• Liaise with staff, suppliers, clients, customers and so on
• You may also deal with financial matters, such as budgeting too
• Some PAs are also line managers for other administration staff
• It is common for PAs to be involved in decision-making processes, especially those with an executive role
Varied role
As you can see, personal assistant jobs can be wide and varied. In some ways, this can make choosing a course difficult. On one hand, you want a course that covers a wide variety of topics but you also want to show potential employers that you have the ability, skills and knowledge to act as the PA that a company executive really wants.
The Level 3 Personal Assistant Diploma covers a wide range of topics including the regulatory and legal requirements of a business, customer service, data management systems and so on. This qualification will show that you have underpinning knowledge and skill to be able to adapt within a company and the boundaries it provides for personal assistant jobs and roles.
Learning from home – the benefits
Taking on a course to up your skill level or acquire a whole new set of skills and abilities is a big step, for some a step too far if it means giving up work to attend classes. With home learning courses you complete the course as and when you can, as well as at times that it suits you to study.
Gone are the days when learning something new meant being sat in a classroom, being shown what to do and having seemingly impossible deadlines imposed on your work!
We all learn in different ways too and although course tutors will try and make lessons fun and engaging, there are times when the pace can be too fast. This means you start to feel like you are failing, becoming disheartened with the process and possibly give up on your dreams.
With home study courses, you will find that the probability of becoming disengaged from your course is lessened because you decide at what pace you study, when and how. But you are not alone in your learning endeavours as you will have the support of your assigned course tutor!
Enrolling takes less than a minute. Log on, choose your course, choose how to pay and start your journey to being a PA today.