Tips for Employers when hiring a Personal Assistant
Organize and prioritize your tasks...
- Decide which part of your day requires the least amount of flexibility
and move your personal tasks to that part of the day. An assistant can
help with minimal tasks to start the day. Then, an assistant can do more
time-intensive tasks in the evening when time is more available.
- Develop
a contract with the tasks that you need performed and your expectations.
- Even if you need little care, have back-up assistants.
- Give specific
hours, necessary qualifications, and other information. Do pre-interview
screening over the phone or by email to narrow choices. At the end of the
conversation, tell the candidate that you will call back to schedule a
personal interview.
- Develop a checklist of needs that the PAs can utilize so that your daily tasks are done and you get the care you need.
Some guidelines may help assist employers in the hirirng and training process.
Such as:
- Discuss pay in the interview.
- Have specific questions to ask in the interview.
Ask about their background, experience with people with disabilities, age,
any obligations that may influence their being able to work, and how long
they have lived in the area.
- During the in-person interview, note how a
person listens, dresses, and acts. Describe the specific tasks that need
to be done. Spontaneously ask the applicant to do a task to see the response.
Discuss hours, pay, and the person's means of transportation.
- Trust your
instincts, and use references to reinforce that judgment.
- Don't offer the
position at the end of the interview.
- Discuss pay schedules.
- Ask the applicant if they have any question about the poition that you
may have not discussed.
- Check personal references.Eliminate candidates who need more money than the job pays or have time conflicts.
Once you have made your selection, inform the applicant. Be sure to refer the applicant to home health care agency that will be paying for your PA.
The Personal Assistant Network is an independent network and is not associated with any groups or organizations.