It both amazes me and annoys me that people think they can become a VA while studying at Uni, or just as a fill in till something else comes along.

I don’t know about you, but in my way of thinking, a VA needs to have a good amount of past experience behind them to be a good VA.  They must have a working knowledge and experience with the programs they’re planning to provide a service with and experience in working with clients.  None of the VAs in my network have less than 5 years’ working experience and a good many of them have in excess of 20 years.

Being a Virtual Assistant isn’t a ‘fill-in’ job. It’s a career and a worthwhile one at that. It’s an industry I’ve been a part of for over 20 years and prior to that I had 20 years’ working experience as a PA, Personal Secretary, Administrative Assistant, etc working with CEOs, MDs, Presidents and others high up in corporate organisations.

If you are thinking about becoming a VA to get a bit of extra money as a fill-in while finishing your studies or just while waiting for the next ‘real’ job to come along, then think again.  Being a VA is serious business and your clients deserve to be treated appropriately as does our industry.