Frequently Asked Questions About Working As A Virtual Assistant

DOES IT TAKE A LONG TIME TO GET HIRED AS A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT?

As with any job, success doesn't happen overnight or without much effort. You get what you put in, and it takes hard work, dedication and perseverance. Virtual Assistant jobs are highly competitive with some projects receiving thousands of resumes from qualified applicants. In general, those with top notch skills, references and education are selected first. If you have applied to ten or more virtual assistant opportunities but have not received an interview you will need to re-evaluate your resume, skills and education.



We offer Resumes Written For You HERE








WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU NEED TO BECOME A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT?

A small segment of the people attracted to the Virtual Assistance profession are those with little to no qualifications or only entry-level skill sets who are looking for a way to make a quick buck with no effort. That won't happen in this business, and veteran Virtual Assistants vehemently discourage that mentality as it both disrespects and misrepresents the profession.

You must have outstanding administrative, Internet and computer skills along with a fully functional and equipped virtual office to get hired. Plus you'll need a dynamic resume package that includes an accomplishment based resume and cover letter.


Entry-level skills and experience simply will not afford the ability to serve clients well. Business owners need Virtual Assistants with top-of-the-line administrative expertise. If you feel that your skills may not be competitive with those of other job seekers we highly recommend that you consider obtaining a VOT certification (or other credential).

Another option would be to complete a few entry level projects (such as in virtual sales, virtual customer support, or virtual marketing.) These projects might offer a lower salary or require sales work but they will provide you with valuable experience that you can then use to qualify for highly competitive administrative and project management opportunities.




VOT requires that you have the following tools, skills and background:


- A degree or at least 2-3 years of experience in your field of interest. A certification is helpful but not required. (Certified Virtual Assistants are almost always in demand and are sometimes hired quicker however, certification is NOT required to be hired.) Read more about our certification program HERE


- A good Credit Score and Credit Report. We do require that you submit your score along with your resume. Your credit is an important tool in determining your ability to complete projects from your home. Hiring managers need to see that you not only have ongoing access to a home office, a computer, the Internet and a telephone line but also that you have no late payments to these services. (For instance, a candidate with late mortgage/rental or Internet service payments may find difficulty in being selected for a virtual assistant job). Please be sure that all of your payments on your home office including phone and Net access are up to date! Please obtain your Free Credit Score + Free Credit Report Here


- An excellent resume. Your resume should be accomplishment based and focused on your area of expertise. If you need help preparing a professional virtual assistant resume package, please contact a Resume Writing Professional

• Must provide at least three references (they will be checked)


• Must have acceptable credit score and history. You will need to request your free
  Report and Score Here before receiving consideration.
  


• Must have newer computer. Please provide details about your system
  


• Must have backup storage before being hired. Set Up Free Account Here


• Must have high speed Internet access (no dial-up accepted)


• Must have online collaboration access for job interviews Get yours here.


• Must have dependable email (aol, yahoo, hotmail and others are problematic). If you must use free email, we suggest Gmail
  
  
• Must have the ability to send and receive faxes via email and set up multi-mailbox voicemail. Set up your VA Virtual fax and voicemail HERE


• Must have a USB computer headset


• Must have experience with the Internet, email and file attachments
  

You will also need some basic resource materials including:

The Gregg Reference Manual
Administrative Assistant's and Secretary's Handbook
Virtually Successful: 8 Simple Ways for Virtual Assistants to Find (and Keep) Clients




WHO WILL I BE WORKING FOR AND HOW DO I GET PAID?

Our employers come from all types of businesses. Some are independent contractors who just need a one time assistant for a small temp project. Others are Fortune 500 employers who are looking for long term help. Virtual Assistant projects are posted by attorneys, accountants, business owners, writers, real estate agents and hundreds of other professionals.

Many opportunities posted with VOT are part time/project based work meaning that you will complete a chosen task within a set timeframe and for a specific salary. (For instance, you might be hired to enter data for a medical office for two weeks for $1500.00) We also offer opportunities that will offer you an hourly rate. This depends on the employer. Salary details will be clearly provided in each job or project posting.

You will be paid directly from the employer (not from VOT) either via check, direct deposit or a third party organization such as Paypal. We do not take a percentage of your salary and we do not charge you a fee to register or be hired. Becoming a VOT Virtual Assistant is completely free of charge!





HOW DO I GET STARTED?

First, you must REGISTER with VOT.
Next you should join our MAILING LIST in order to receive notifications of new jobs and projects (this will be a link to topica for now unless Jdog wants to do mailing list on server. up to you)
Once you are registered you will be able to search our available projects. When you find something that interests you simply follow the directions to apply. (This will notify the hiring employer that you are interested)
The hiring manager will receive your VOT resume and will contact you for additional information if they are interested.
You will receive emails from us with new project announcements and instructions on how to apply so please be sure that you can receive our email notifications. (You may need to add virtualassistantjobs.com to our address book).
We also announce projects and Facebook and Twitter so be sure to connect with us





I AM AN EMPLOYER. HOW DOES IT WORK FOR ME?

VOT offers you a free service for your recruiting needs. Simply tell us about your job opening or project needs and we will provide you with access to qualified virtual assistants who can help you. You may post a salaried job, 1099 freelance opportunity or temporary project assignment. Regardless of your situation, we have virtual assistants who are qualified and ready to work for you. FEE BASED jobs and home business offers requiring an investment will NOT be accepted.

Post your Job or Project HERE

Once you post your virtual assistant opportunity it will go live to our more than 60,000 qualified or certified virtual assistants. You will be able to review the resumes and contact those candidates that you feel are a match for your project. You will have access to both our certified and non certified virtual assistants (VOT certified assistants have completed specific training and testing and have agreed to our standards of service. We give them our highest stamp of approval!)

Best of all, it is FREE for you to post your project, access our Virtual Assistant Directory and hire the candidate of your choice. We do not charge you a finders fee or a percentage of the project! 100% free!! You pay only the salary you have set for your project directly to the virtual assistant based on your own terms.




QUESTIONS?

Contact Us or network with us on FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and TWITTER for immediate feedback or use our Contact Form.