What if leaving private staffing was the very thing that made you better at it?
In this episode of **Recruitment Diaries: Life in Private Staffing**, Philippa is joined by **Patricia Levinson**, a House Manager and Executive Assistant based in Manhattan, whose career has taken anything but a traditional path.
From owning and running a hotel in Costa Rica to managing private properties, raising a family, working in financial services and eventually returning to private service, Patricia shares how every stage of her journey has shaped the professional she is today.
Together, Philippa and Patricia discuss why transferable skills matter, the realities of stepping away from the industry, and how perseverance helped Patricia secure the role she'd always hoped for.
**In this episode, Philippa and Patricia cover:**
✨ Breaking into private staffing unexpectedly
🏡 Running a hotel and managing luxury private properties in Costa Rica
👨👩👧 Taking a career break to raise a family
💼 Returning to private service after years outside the industry
📈 Why transferable skills create stronger House Managers and Executive Assistants
🤝 Leadership, team management and seeing the bigger picture
🌍 Building a career across Costa Rica, Connecticut and New York
💡 Why perseverance is one of the most valuable qualities in private staffing
Whether you're an aspiring **House Manager**, **Estate Manager**, **Executive Assistant**, **Personal Assistant**, or already working within **UHNW private households**, this episode is packed with practical advice, honest reflections and career inspiration.
**Resources & Links**
🌐 Visit: www.silverswanrecruitment.com
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📱 Follow us on Instagram: **@silverswanrecruitment** & **@silverswanpodcast**
💬 Join one of our global private staffing communities: [enquiries@silverswanrecruitment.com]()
