Personal Assistant CV Template Example
As a UK career coach with over 25 years’ experience, I know first-hand the pivotal role a Personal Assistant (PA) plays within an organisation. A Personal Assistant is the trusted support to executives, senior managers, or directors, ensuring that daily operations run smoothly, diaries are efficiently managed, and confidential matters are handled with precision. The job description of a PA typically includes managing schedules, organising travel, preparing reports, liaising with clients, and acting as a professional gatekeeper. Salaries for Personal Assistants in the UK vary depending on location and seniority, generally ranging from £25,000 to £45,000 per year, with top Executive PAs earning upwards of £60,000. It is an attractive, highly responsible, and rewarding career path. That’s why creating an interview-winning Personal Assistant cv template is absolutely essential to securing your ideal role.
Why a strong CV matters for a Personal Assistant
The competition for Personal Assistant roles is fierce. Employers expect polished, highly professional candidates who can demonstrate discretion, organisation, and excellent communication. Your CV is your first opportunity to make an impression, and if it doesn’t immediately highlight your ability to manage demanding workloads, you risk being overlooked. An interview-winning cv example needs to show measurable achievements such as reducing diary clashes, improving efficiency, or saving time for busy executives. It must go beyond listing duties and instead emphasise results.
How to tailor your Personal Assistant CV template
When structuring your Personal Assistant CV template, clarity, conciseness, and relevance are key. Employers typically spend less than 10 seconds scanning a CV initially, so make sure the essentials stand out straight away. Start with a compelling professional profile summarising who you are, what you bring, and why you excel as a PA. Then, list your key skills such as diary management, travel coordination, event planning, minute-taking, communication, discretion, and IT proficiency. After this, showcase your career history in reverse chronological order, highlighting achievements in each role. Quantify results wherever possible—for instance, “Successfully coordinated a three-day international conference attended by 500 delegates” or “Implemented a new digital filing system reducing document retrieval time by 30%.”
The ideal Personal Assistant CV structure
Contact details – name, location, phone, email, LinkedIn
Professional summary – 4–5 sentences on your experience and strengths
Key skills – bullet point format, tailored to the role
Career history – list positions with responsibilities and achievements
Education and training – qualifications and professional development
Additional information – languages, IT systems, volunteering, or memberships
By following this tried and tested CV structure, you present information in the clearest possible way, maximising your chances of progressing to interview.
Advice for graduates aspiring to be Personal Assistants
If you are a graduate looking to enter the Personal Assistant profession, you may not yet have years of office experience. However, you can still build a persuasive cv example by focusing on transferable skills gained from university projects, part-time work, internships, or volunteering. Highlight organisational skills, time management, event coordination, and communication. Even if you have been a student society secretary, planned student events, or worked in retail, these experiences demonstrate skills directly relevant to being a PA. Use your CV to show enthusiasm, adaptability, and potential.
Advice for mid-level and senior Personal Assistants
For professionals with several years of experience, employers will be seeking evidence of how you have added value in demanding environments. Your cv template should therefore emphasise how you have supported senior management, handled confidential matters, and overseen high-profile projects. Demonstrate examples such as implementing new systems, coordinating international travel logistics, or improving executive efficiency. If you have managed other support staff or trained junior PAs, highlight your leadership and mentoring. For senior-level PAs and Executive Assistants, strategic involvement—such as supporting board meetings or liaising with stakeholders—should be prominently featured.
The do’s of a Personal Assistant CV
Do tailor your CV to each specific role.
Do use strong action verbs such as “coordinated,” “delivered,” “streamlined.”
Do quantify achievements with numbers, percentages, and outcomes.
Do keep formatting clean, professional, and consistent.
Do emphasise IT and systems proficiency (Microsoft Office, CRM tools, booking systems).
Do keep your CV concise—ideally 2 pages maximum.
The don’ts of a Personal Assistant CV
Don’t include unnecessary personal details such as age or marital status.
Don’t write vague responsibilities without showing impact.
Don’t use overcomplicated formatting or distracting fonts.
Don’t include generic clichés such as “works well under pressure” without evidence.
Don’t list every job you’ve ever had—focus on relevant positions.
Don’t forget to proofread thoroughly—attention to detail is vital for PAs.
Tips for making your Personal Assistant CV stand out
Customise every application – Align your cv example with the job description to mirror the skills required.
Showcase achievements not just duties – Employers want evidence of your value.
Highlight soft skills – As a PA, discretion, communication, and adaptability are as important as technical skills.
Make LinkedIn work for you – A strong LinkedIn profile complements your CV. Recruiters will almost certainly cross-check your online presence.
Include keywords – Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan CVs for terms such as “diary management,” “travel coordination,” and “stakeholder communication.” Ensure these are present.
Final words of encouragement
As a career coach with decades of experience, I can confidently say that a well-structured and carefully tailored Personal Assistant CV can be the golden key that unlocks the interview door. Whether you’re a graduate, mid-level professional, or senior PA, remember that your CV is not simply a list of jobs—it is your personal marketing document. With the right cv template, you can communicate your worth, stand out in a crowded market, and ultimately secure the rewarding role you deserve.
Take the next step today
If you are serious about landing your next Personal Assistant position, don’t leave your CV to chance. Book a one-to-one session with me and my expert team at CV London. We specialise in creating powerful CVs and LinkedIn profiles that win interviews and job offers. Let’s transform your professional story into an impactful message that employers cannot ignore.
👉 Book your appointment now and give yourself the career advantage you deserve.
