Seems, these days, that if someone is between jobs, seeking to run a business but has no idea what, or has a job they hate and want to leave, the common cry is 'Why not become a VA? Anyone can do it!' Well, I'm here to say that's not the case. Not everyone. It takes a special set of skills but also a mindset and I would go so far as to say, a certain personality as well. Yes, most people can use a computer these days, but that doesn't mean they're good at it. Yes, most people are on the … [Read more...]
I want to be a VA but…
Saw a post over the weekend of a lady who wanted to become a VA but had very little skills and didn't know what she should specialise in. I don't know about you, but for me that rang warning bells. Here is someone with very little skillset and yet she wants to become a VA. Virtual Assistants should be well versed in the skills they wish to provide services in because, after all, they become advisor/consultants for their clients in these particular skills and no-one should be offering services … [Read more...]
Looking for Virtual Assistant work?
If you have good office based skills, chances are you could become a Virtual Assistant and work at home fulltime. Thousands are doing it, so why not you? I celebrate 18 years of fulltime business this month (on the 24th to be exact). While it's not all been a bed of roses I can tell you I wouldn't swap the experience for a corporate job any day. The benefits of being at home fulltime far outweigh the benefits of working in a corporate job. I love the environment I work in, I love being here … [Read more...]
What kind of skills do I need?
Periodically I get asked this question - to work as a Virtual Assistant, what kind of skills do I need? There are tons of different types of services that VAs are providing today, however, traditionally they did begin as work at home secretaries - those who had good secretarial skills in the corporate world, and they brought those skills home to develop their own businesses. The industry has evolved considerably over the past 15 or so years and today the skills are quite varied. I recently … [Read more...]
Honing new skills
Many VAs, particularly those new to the industry, are so keen to get clients that there are times when they will accept a job only to find they really don't have the skillset or experience to carry out the role. They then end up in a quandary - do they tell the client or try to find out quickly how to do that particular job? The questions asked at VA forums often show a tendency for the latter, rather than the former, or perhaps they have already told their client, but are going ahead with the … [Read more...]