What is a Virtual Assistant?
A virtual assistant is a professional who works as an independent contractor or full-time work-from-home (WFH). These workers often have specialized skills such as Microsoft Office and computer programming, and often are referred to as “virtual” employees because they don’t work in an office or on a regular payroll.
The main difference between a virtual assistant and an employee is that the employee works for an employer. However, there are some important similarities, including the fact that they may help with specific projects or clients, or provide support daily.
What skills and experience do employers demand?
The main demand for virtual assistants is that they be efficient and productive. This means they must be able to complete tasks quickly, accurately, and by the deadline. It’s not unusual for virtual assistants to clock out around 5 pm, but their work can often continue until midnight or 1 am. During the day, they might have other demands such as dealing with customers, taking care of their personal needs, or managing their schedule. After work, they can often look forward to spending time with their family, doing their favorite hobby, or going to a local restaurant or bar.
Tips for balancing work & life as a VA
Find a balance between your personal life and your work life. Make time for both parents and your kids, but try to have a flexible work schedule that allows you to spend as much time as you need with them as you grow older.
As a virtual assistant, you can work from home or independent office space. If you prefer to work from home, try taking a lunch or snack break during your work hours so you can have more “downtime” to spend with your family.
If you prefer to work in an independent office space, you might want to look into whether it’s possible to set up a “station” in your office space. This allows you to consume your favorite hobby or pass the time with other like-minded people without interrupting anyone.
Working from home: How to be a successful VA
Since becoming a VA isn’t a conventional job, many people wonder how they can become successful as a VA. While it’s possible to become a successful VA without going the traditional route, it’s also important to remember that anyone who wants to be successful in this industry has to start somewhere. Here are four tips to help you get started on the right track:
Build a Strategy
Before you dive in, it’s important to have a strategy in place for what you want to achieve. Create a plan for where you want to be in five years, 10 years, or even 20 years, and make a plan for moving in that direction.
Decide Where You’re Going. Before you start looking for work, decide where you want to be and make a plan for getting there. What do you want to achieve? What’s the type of position or company you want to work for?
Find a Company
Once you decide where you want to go and what you want to do, look for companies that are hiring. There are plenty of recruiting websites dedicated to finding new employees, but first, check out job boards in your city or state.
Get Your Head Square. Once you’ve found a company or position that you want to work for, get your head square: Put your goals in perspective and realize that this is just the beginning.
Conclusion
Working from home can be a great option for some people because they don’t have to commute to work, make a morning commute or deal with long hours. That’s not to say that working from home isn’t a great option for working parents who want more flexibility or people with busy schedules who don’t want to be tied to a schedule.
The best way to decide if working from home is right for you is to speak to other parents or individuals with busy schedules who are trying to balance work and life as virtual assistants. You might find that working from home is a great fit, or at the very least, an interesting option to consider.
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