Denise, I am looking at some career choice options–How does one get job experience or training as a VA?
Thanks, Michelle
Answer
This question requires a two part answer so I will tackle the training part of the question first. As in any career, or job change, training is exceedingly important. You would not walk into a doctors office and simply announce that since you have spent some time on WebMd researching heart disease that you are now ready and able to discuss heart disease with patients. What is important that you understand about the Virtual Assistance Industry is that it is a highly technical industry that in my professional opinion requires constant and on-going education as the internet changes at what seems to be the speed of sound. As Virtual Assistants we are working via the internet for most of our working hours. What this means is that a system, process, online tool or site that you may have used as little as a month ago may be considerably different than the last time you accessed it.
The first step is to visualize what your Virtual Assistance practice is going to look like. You will need to determine what your hard and soft skills are and what niche or areas you are interested in. Are you primarily interested in working with clients to build their social media marketing strategy? Are you a brilliant copywriter or technical writer? Can you assist your clients in editing, writing, re-purposing content and disseminating it across the web? Can you see yourself positioning yourself as an online research specialist who can ensure that the information you deliver to your client is both authoritative and accurate? Are you familiar with HTML and feel comfortable working in the WordPress platform? What are your skills and why would somebody be wildly excited to work with you? Don’t make the mistake of trying to be “everything to everybody”. It is the rare VA who can offer everything from web development to product launches and everything in-between. Those of us who can, wisely build our teams to ensure that our service offers are always top notch and delivered on time.
Once you have decided on your career path within the VA industry, it is a good idea to begin to network with other successful virtual assistants on social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. There are also several really great Virtual Assistant communities such as Virtual Assistance Industry – Where Online Entrepreneurs Collaborate and Find Virtual to name a couple. Network with us, chat with us, follow us around and see what we are doing and sign up for as many free (and paid) teleseminars and workshops that you can find from people who’s work you admire. And never be too shy or too embarrassed to ask questions. Visit our blogs, ask questions, make comments. Connect with us on Facebook, ask questions, make comments. After you do this for a period of time you will have a much better sense of what your service offerings will be and who your ideal clients will be. Then, and probably only then, will you be able to decide what type of training, coaching or mentoring you will require in order to build and grow your VA practice to a healthy six figures.
I am a firm believer in seeking out help, guidance and mentoring and always seek the wisdom and practical experience of someone who has walked down the same paths that I am traveling. Seek out a coach or mentor and give serious consideration to joining a mastermind group who can motivate and nurture your brilliance.
The second part of the question is about gaining job experience. Once you can clearly list your skills, hard and soft, have your elevator speech perfected so you can quickly and confidently explain to somebody in just a few sentences just what your business offers then it is time to offer your services to other VA’s. Working with an experienced VA or multi-VA firm on a project-by-project basis will allow you to try something new and stretch beyond your current experience or knowledge. As you build your network of practicing VA’s who find you delightful to work with you will find your Virtual Assistance practice filling up in short order.
To train with Denise Griffitts to become a highly technically savvy, highly paid, highly sought-after Virtual Assistant please visit Virtual Assistance University.
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