Donna Shannon, author of "How to Get a Job Without Going Crazy" http://www.personaltouchcareerservices.com and Bonnie Low-Kramen, author of "Be the Ultimate Assistant" http://www.bonnielowkramen.com/ share the secrets to an effective personal assistant resume in the luxury lifestyle management industry. Learn the significant differences from the traditional business world.

1. The Personal Assistant Resume:
The Key to Landing Your Next Job
Presented by:
Donna L. Shannon
Bonnie Low-Kramen
Donna Bonnie

2. Donna Shannon
• Background: 8 years of HR/ Recruiting
• President, The Personal Touch Career Services
 Resumes
 Interview coaching
 Job search strategy development
 Group classes
 Get a Job Without Going Crazy

3. Bonnie Low-Kramen
• 25 years as the Personal Assistant to
actress Olympia Dukakis
• Author of “Be the Ultimate Assistant”
• Teaches weekend workshops for PAs
• Co-founder of New York Celebrity Assistants
(NYCA)
• Passionate about helping PAs find and keep
their jobs!

4. Today’s Agenda
• Why resumes are important
– Dispelling resume myths
– What is unique on a Personal Assistant resume
• What is critical on a resume
– Different sections and how to use them
• Questions??

5. The Virtual “You”
WHY RESUMES ARE SO IMPORTANT

6. Resumes are…
• Your first introduction
• A reflection of who you are
• Sliced ‘n diced in 30 seconds – or less
• Searched for “key” words

7. Key to Resume Survival
• It is NOT about YOU….
… it’s about serving the EMPLOYER’S needs:
Solving problems
Simplify their lives
Serving their families

8. Is it true or not?
COMMON RESUME MYTHS

9. The One Page Resume?
• One page resumes outdated 10 years ago
• Need two pages to show expertise
– But never more than two
• Usually too dense
• Not enough white space

10. The Perfect Format
• For PAs this is the first test of your knowledge:
– Visually/graphically appealing
– Level of Word expertise
– Computer literacy example
– Be able to edit/replicate it
– Typos = Discarding of resume

11. Are Half-Truths OK?
• It is never OK to lie on your resume, even a
little…
• Graduation dates are checked
• Certifications are verified
• Social network profile are reviewed
• Integrity and accuracy matter

12. Pictures: Yes or No?
• Yes IF:
– Sending to a principal
– Sending to a private service agency
• No IF:
– Sending to the corporate HR department
– Sending to the family office

13. Put the “Personal” in PA
• They want to know who you are and if they
think you can solve their problem…
• Important words – “Assists” “Assisted”
This can be the difference between an interview and
the rejection pile

14. Details Rule!
BEST PRACTICES FOR YOUR RESUME

15. Contact Information
• Be thorough:
– Full street address
– Phone numbers
– Professional email
– LinkedIn and other social media

16. Special Considerations
• Relocating?
• Time Gaps in experience
– “jumpy” / “job hopper” or temporary work?
• Can be addressed in Cover Letter

17. Objective Statements
• Employers don’t like these if it’s the typical…
“Objective: To gain a Personal Assistant
position for a high profile principal with
opportunities for growth.”
Problem: This is all about what YOU want
Solution: Make it about THEM

18. Profile or Summary – Passion
Statement
• Use a profile to match their needs while
speaking of your passion:

19. Profiles
• Customize to the job
• Be sure to track changes in separate log,
as in which resume was sent to whom

20. Technical Skills
• Closely scrutinized section
• Starting to picture what you can do for them

21. Technical Skills
• Aka Core Competencies, Skills Summary,
Personal Assets
– Computer skills and proficiency
– Soft skills/ Personality Traits/ Areas of Expertise

22. Work Experience
• Include a quote from principal
• Show nature of the industry or position
• Names?

23. Details That Matter
• Using action verbs
• Using actual numbers ($1 million budget)
• Bullets – with period or without?
• Keep tenses consistent
• Fonts & Styles consistent

24. Critical Phrases
• “assist” – “customize” – “personalize”
• Willingness to serve
• Taking charge
• Embrace the role of
gatekeeper

25. Accomplishments
• How to recognize them
• Scope
• Office management
• Creating systems
• Orchestrated moves, special
events and renovations

26. Volunteer Experience
• VERY relevant to personal assistant role
• Any community involvement counts
• Important to “have a life” outside work

27. Education
• Includes formal education and workshops
• Date of college graduation or attendance
• Professional Associations

28. Additional Certifications
• Notary, Driver’s License, Valid Passport
• DON’T let them assume!

29. Hobbies, Interests and
Passions
• Biggest deviation from the corporate resume
• CRITICAL for PAs – even your door to the job

30. References
“References available on Request”
Means nothing…
Send a separate reference sheet

31. Are you ready?
QUESTIONS?

32. Resumes
• Your first introduction
• Paints a picture of who you are
• Keep it personal!

33. Final Thoughts…
WANT TO KNOW MORE?

34. Connect With Us!
Donna Shannon Bonnie Low-Kramen
Personal Touch Career Services Personal Assistant Weekend Workshops
(PH) 720-452-3400 (PH) 908-469-4204
donna@personaltouchcareerservices.com bonnielowkramen@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/donnashannon www.linkedin.com/in/bonnielowkramen
Twitter: @DLShannon Website: www.BonnieLowKramen.com
Facebook: DonnaShannon.CareerCoach Facebook: Be the Ultimate Assistant
And my book: And my book:
“Get a Job Without Going Crazy (2nd Ed)” “Be the Ultimate Assistant”