VA Matchmaker: Virtual Assistant Profile

March 28, 2008

Note from The VA Matchmaker:

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to profile our virtual assistants. This will give you the opportunity to ‘meet’ our VAs and see what their skill sets are like. You can also learn a little more about who they are, what they like, what they don’t like, etc. These interviews are candid and anonymous so enjoy!

Interview with a Virtual Assistant:

(1) What made you decide to become a virtual assistant?

I decided to become a virtual assistant after being workforce reduced in late 2006. I had stumbled upon the term” virtual assistant” while doing research for a paper while completing my Masters in Human Resource Management. After that I did a lot of research and was convinced this was what I wanted to do. I had become tired of the “rat race” in corporate America.

(2) What are the top three skills you have or that you love to do?

The top 3 skills or things I love to do are:

1) I love to do research. I am one of those people who look things up. If I hear or read something in the news I usually look it up for myself.

2) I love to interact with people. I have done a few marketing projects and people usually respond pretty well to me. Right now I’m updating a client’s customer database to include email addresses which involves calling the customer for that information. It has gone very well.

3) I’m pretty good at general administrative tasks such as managing calendars, travel
arrangements, etc. As an executive assistant I was once given the task of managing a $500K office re-build. I hired all the contractors, oversaw the completion of it. I brought this project in on time and under budget. I have always been able to complete any task that I was
given.

(3) What are three things you don’t like doing?

I’ve done transcription, but I don’t particularly like it.

(4) Describe your ideal client.

My ideal client is one who gives me the space to do the work. I don’t like micro-managers. My ideal client is one who respects the job I do for them and isn’t a “penny-pincher”. I would love to work with a client who has specific tasks that need to be done on a regular basis who gives
me the autonomy to do them.

(5) What is your favorite thing about being a VA?

My favorite thing about being a VA is that my work is “judged” on its own merit. My race or sex does not come into play. I also really enjoy working for myself and on my own terms. I have wanted to work for myself for a very long time and this is a dream come true.

(6) What is the most important piece of advice you’ve received about running your own business?

I think the most important advice I’ve been given is to keep good records. The 2nd most important thing is actually the 1st – Enjoy what you do. If you don’t enjoy you won’t be good at it.

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