As a celebrity personal assistant you can earn up to $100,000 per year and enjoy an incredible lifestyle that most people only dream about. In return for screening fan mail, answering phones, and planning parties, celebrity personal assistants are allowed to enter an exclusive world and live like a star.
After all, celebrities need to buy groceries and schedule doctor's appointments just like everyone else--but they also have movie shoots, important meetings, and volumes of phone calls to make. The personal assistant makes sure that everything gets done, allowing the celebrity to enjoy a semi-private life. A good "CPA" functions as coordinator, accountant, and just about anything else that a famous person might require. They offer organization and peace of mind to those who need it the most.
CPA perks often include tickets to sold out concerts, first-class air travel, expensive gifts, and great gossip about what other celebrities are really like. Does this sound like a great day at work to you? If so, you can follow these steps (taken from the fabjob.com Guide to Become a Celebrity Personal Assistant) and break into a growing field of employment.
Develop Your Skills. CPAs need to know a little bit about everything--and know where to find out more. Celebrities are currently looking for Internet-savvy, technologically competent employees who can show them how to transfer information from their Palm Pilot to the computer, send an e-greeting to Mom, or use Quicken to keep track of their personal finances. Most celebrities are also interested in your typing skills, etiquette knowledge, and party planning or gift buying ability. Above all, celebrities need to know that you will not sell their intimate secrets to the National Enquirer, so get used to practicing the art of discretion.
Get Some Training. There is currently no formal long-term education program for personal assistants, but you can develop many of the necessary skills in related programs. Try to take a few classes in accounting, computer science, household management, and event planning at your local community college. And The Learning Annex occasionally offers a personal assistant course in select North American cities.
Get Some Experience. One great way to learn the skills of being a CPA is to be a non-celebrity PA first. You may even find that being a personal assistant to a non-celebrity is more to your liking. Maybe you wouldn't like the stress of celebrity management. The American Errand Runner's Association (AERO) offers career advice and a forum for working Errand Runners and PAs to exchange information.
Develop Your Resume. If you think listing other celebrities you've worked for on a resume is a great way to get hired, think again! Most employers see this as a sure-fire indication that you won't protect their privacy. When you're called in for an interview with an agency or another celebrity, then you might mention another person's name. And, as with any job, take the time you need to make your resume as legible, concise, and presentable as possible. Looking at a few sample resumes of successful CPAs couldn't hurt, either.
Find a Job Opening. Networking is an important first step. Let everyone know that you are a CPA in search of work. Think about all of the people you know, family and friends alike. Is anyone closer to a celebrity than you are? You should read the classified sections of trade magazines such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, and visit related Web sites like showbizdata.com and showbizjobs.com.
Contact a Celebrity. Although you may not speak with the celebrities themselves, you can usually get in touch with their publicist, agent, or current personal assistant. Even if they aren't looking for an assistant immediately, they may have an opening in the future or know someone who does. There are books available that list addresses and contact information for celebrities. You can also find contact information for celebrities by doing an online search for the term "celebrity addresses."
Join an Agency. Most CPAs agree that this is a great inroad into the industry. Again, you can find CPA agencies in the trade publications listed above. Once you've located one, send a brief e-mail query. Sign up with many agencies and, if possible, see if you can contact any of their successful CPAs. If the agency is reputable, they also won't mind if you call some of their past clients.
Ace the Interview. Jonathan Holiff, founder of the Association of Celebrity Personal Assistants, says CPAs should assume they "have the [right] skills and the temperament" because everything comes down to a "personality match." You will more than likely have to go through a number of interviews before you're introduced to the celebrity. Don't let it faze you; just be honest, direct, and professional with everyone you meet.
Join Professional Organizations. The two main professional organizations that cater to CPAs are New York Celebrity Assistants (NYCA) and the Association of Celebrity Personal Assistants (ACPA). Some of their members may be open to mentoring you, or at least meeting with you for 15 minutes to talk about the career. Once you start working as a CPA, these organizations will become an invaluable source of support and information.
