In today’s business climate, many founders and executives know they need help — but they simply don’t have the time to onboard someone properly. Sound familiar?
You’ve likely reached the point where the to-do list is overflowing, the inbox is a never-ending scroll, and the pressure to scale keeps mounting. And yet, the thought of spending hours training a new team member feels impossible.
So what’s the solution? You still need to delegate — but wisely. Let’s break it down.
Why hiring doesn’t work without time
One of the most common mistakes in hiring an executive assistant is assuming that a qualified candidate will “just figure it out.”
Even the best executive assistants need time to understand your business, your leadership style, and your key priorities. Without that, even the most talented person will either underperform or burn out.
If you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “It’s easier if I just do it myself,” it’s not because your assistant isn’t capable. It’s because the onboarding system isn’t built to scale.
3 things to consider before hiring
Whether you’re working with internal HR or turning to assistant recruitment agencies like Smart and Talented, here’s what you should have in place:
1. Clarity on what exactly you want to delegate
Before hiring, list out the 10–20 recurring tasks that eat up your time but don’t require your personal attention. This will help structure the assistant’s role and prevent confusion.
2. A phased onboarding plan
No need to explain your entire business in one go. Instead, break the onboarding into weekly blocks:
- Week 1: Communication and calendar tools
- Week 2: Admin and task tracking
- Week 3: Project delegation and decision logic
Even if you only have 30 minutes per week, it’s enough with the right structure.
3. Process > Personality
Of course, you want someone with the right “vibe.” But don’t rely on intuition alone. A structured hiring process — especially through a professional executive assistant recruitment agency — can help match you with someone who fits both your workflow and values.
Why more executives turn to recruitment agencies
The search for a personal or executive assistant is becoming increasingly specialized.
Agencies like Smart and Talented, which focus solely on hiring a executive assistant, report that most of their clients don’t have hours to spare for multi-stage interviews, test tasks, or onboarding. What they do have is an urgent need for someone who can step in and create clarity from chaos.
And that’s what a skilled executive assistant does — not just “support,” but act as a strategic enabler of your time and energy.
To sum it up
If you’ve been thinking “I need a personal assistant but I don’t have time to train them,” the real solution is structure — not delay.
With the right support system, a smart assistant, and clear onboarding strategy, you can:
- Reclaim your focus
- Scale faster
- Reduce operational stress
Need help with hiring an executive assistant? Start with defining what you want off your plate — the rest can be solved with process.