Personal assistant - local vs western

[InTheBlue]

I am looking for a personal assistant to help me set up a business with full backing from European head office.

At the start I will need someone to help me set the business up and then to grow with it taking on marketing and office manager role whilst doing all PA activities like booking travel etc.

I was thinking local but then someone suggested a westerner (ie woman who has degree and whose children are now in school) which started me thinking and another person suggested a keen graduate that could grow into the role.

I am in 2 minds as to whether I want a more subservient type person or someone with their own mind and ability to get the job done.

Anyone been through this before?

[Strong Eagle]

Go for an expat trailing spouse... who will usually be female. From the CRCE job board at the American Association of Singapore, I know you'll find a great many talented women who held significant positions of leadership or who have technical skills who gave up their position for spouse's career.

If you go this route, you'll have a good head, and a well motivated person that will need a minimum amount of direction and training.

[InTheBlue]

SE, thanks for pointer. Will look there.

[InTheBlue]

Took on a local in the end as I needed a Mandarin speaker and found someone that seems efficient and reliable.

[Godmode]

SE has a point but he missed one big issue. The salary expectations of expat vs locals would differ significantly if that is an issue at all?

[InTheBlue]

The salary was certainly a salient point but I'm not sure that an 'expat trailing spouse' is too worried about that. They just want work and probably to be appreciated!