7 Misconceptions About Hiring a Personal Assistant

At Lambent Services, we’ve had clients tell us they didn’t think they were the type of person who would have a personal assistant. Sometimes, they’re under the impression that only busy executives need that level of support or that they won’t be able to find someone willing to work part-time hours. 

In reality, people from various walks of life with a range of different needs can benefit from having the right support. In this post, we’re debunking seven key myths about hiring a personal assistant.

1. Misconception: Only Executives and Celebrities Need Personal Assistants

Reality: Personal assistants are not just for CEOs and celebrities. Many people, including small business owners, philanthropists, artists, physicians and stay-at-home parents enjoy the advantages of personal assistant services. 

Whether you’re busy pursuing your passions, running a household, or working outside of the home, having someone managing your calendar, taking care of errands or organizing your finances will lighten the load. The bottom line is hiring a personal assistant is just as valid for private individuals as it is for public figures. 

2. Misconception: You Have to Hire a Full-Time Personal Assistant

Reality: There’s a widespread belief that hiring a personal assistant only makes sense if you need full-time support, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Personal assistant services can be tailored to your needs. 

At Lambent, you can hire a dedicated personal assistant for as little as eight hours a week. You’ll also have the option to scale up when you need the extra bandwidth. 

3. Misconception: Hiring a Personal Assistant is an Unnecessary Expense

Reality: While personal assistants to the wealthy are often in the spotlight, hiring a personal assistant isn’t a frivolous expense. By alleviating stress and helping you find more hours in the day, bringing on a personal assistant can improve your quality of life, making it an investment in your well-being and peace of mind. 

As a boutique personal assistant staffing agency in NYC and Los Angeles, we offer flexible pricing models with the ability to choose between direct hire and hourly support. That means you won’t be wasting money on services you don’t need. 

4. Misconception: A Personal Assistant is the Same as a Virtual Assistant

Reality: While both personal assistants and virtual assistants can help you manage tasks, their roles are quite different. A personal assistant for private individuals typically provides in-person, hands-on assistance, which might include help organizing, running errands, returning online purchases, or making sure you exercise. 

On the other hand, a virtual assistant is limited to remote tasks, such as filtering emails or scheduling appointments.

If you need someone who can help you manage your day-to-day life while providing a human touch, a personal assistant is the way to go. Working with someone face-to-face helps to establish trust and efficient communication, while also allowing them to proactively anticipate your needs. 

5. Misconception: A Personal Assistant Only Handles Administrative Tasks

Reality: One of the benefits of having a personal assistant is their versatility. Personal assistants aren’t limited to administrative duties like managing emails or scheduling. Many personal assistants handle a wide variety of tasks, from organizing travel plans and running personal errands to managing projects or even household staff. 

When hiring a personal assistant, you’re not just getting administrative support—you’re gaining a flexible professional who can assist in multiple areas of your life.

6. Misconception: It’s Difficult to Find the Right Personal Assistant

Reality: While finding the right personal assistant might seem daunting, our personal assistant staffing agency excels at matching individuals with their ideal support. We gain an understanding of your needs, personality and preferences and find the best candidates from our pool of talented, fully vetted personal assistants. This ensures you find the right fit quickly and easily. 

7. Misconception: Hiring a Personal Assistant is a Privacy Risk

Reality: A personal assistant for a high-net-worth individual, public figure or anyone in between is trained to handle confidential tasks with the utmost care. In fact, a key quality of a top-tier personal assistant is discretion. You can trust a professional assistant to maintain your privacy while providing the support you need.

Take the Next Step Towards Streamlining Your Life

The need for personal assistants extends far beyond executive offices. From flexible part-time support to specialized assistance for private individuals, hiring a personal assistant can help anyone gain more control over their time.

Now that we’ve cleared up some common misconceptions, are you ready to find your perfect support? Contact Lambent Services today!