What are your qualifications?
My qualifications as a Virtual Assistant are
my many years as an office temp. Assignments ranged from Receptionist in a
small, local accounting firm to Executive Assistant for a multi-national company
in the CBD and a variety of secretarial and administrative roles in between.
Filling these positions on a temporary basis meant having to quickly adapt to
different working practices and being confident with a range of software and
office equipment.
A list of my official qualifications can be
seen on the about page. Currently I am studying Medical
Terminology through OTEN to assist with transcription and like most VAs I
am constantly updating my skills and knowledge by attending webinars, on-line
conventions and forum discussions.
I subscribe to the Core Competencies as
outlined by the Alliance for Virtual Businesses. More information on the Core
Competencies can be found here.
Why not get a 'real' job?
I tend to get bored quickly which is why
temping suited me. I'm regularly contacted for full-time roles but I prefer the
flexibility, challenge and diversity of being self-employed. In addition, as
someone who is concerned about the environment, providing a virtual service
means I don't have to commute and I can use 'green' practices in
my home office.
Do you work on-site?
I can arrange to work on site if necessary,
however, this it at a higher rate and will include a charge for travel time.
With recent advancements in technology there is very little that cannot be done
off-site. Remote access to PCs, on-line scheduling and file sharing, fax, e-mail
and video conferencing allows assistance to be truly virtual. A good Virtual
Assistant will keep abreast of latest developments and can provide a range of
solutions to suit their client's requirements.
How do you work out your rates?
Some projects, such as transcription and
article writing, have set rates according to length. Other projects are charged
by the hour. I use
Time Stamp
to record my hours and will endeavour to provide an estimate of how long a
project is likely to take based on previous experience.
Why should I hire an Aussie VA when I
can get cheaper offshore?
Providers of virtual assistance in
countries with lower living costs such as India and Mexico are certainly cheaper
to hire. It really depends on your requirements and your intended relationship
with your VA. Do you want fast turnaround or attention to detail? Do you want an
'employee' who will get the job done or an autonomous assistant who will think
outside the square and offer suggestions? Do you need to reach your assistant
during business hours or do you want work completed while you sleep?
While many offshore VAs have good English
language skills, many struggle with the intricacies. I have written for UK,
American and Australian readers and while the differences are subtle, they do
exist. If your project involves a high level of contact and quality
communication or a good knowledge of the Aussie market, it may be worthwhile to
pay a higher rate for 'local' service.
For a more in depth discussion on this
topic, I recommend this
article by Kathie Thomas.
What are your office hours?
I am generally contactable by phone or
e-mail between 8am to 10pm. Projects are assessed and quoted individually and
hours of availability are negotiable.
What services do you offer?
The bulk of my work is transcription,
article writing and research. I also enjoy creating presentations, database
management and proofreading / editing. In the near future I hope to offer
bookkeeping. Some VAs specialise in graphic design or website development and
maintenance. While my skills in this area are limited to what you see on this
website, my ultimate goal is to provide a one stop shop for small
business owners including phone answering and event management.
What equipment do I have to provide?
Usually none. Currently I am using
Microsoft Office 2007. If you are using a version prior to this I can backsave
to a suitable file format. Word Forward has faxing and printing capability and
high speed internet access for e-mail and file exchange. I use Quickbooks
Plus accounting package and Olympus transcription software. I can provide
recording equipment for on-site transcription. If you're not sure whether or not
I have the tools to assist, just drop me a line. Your business is my business.
What if you get sick?
One of the advantages of working from a
home office is that if I do develop a head cold, I can continue to work without
fear of infecting fellow colleagues. If the illness prevents me from working, I
belong to a network of VA's who not only provide support and knowledge but can
assist with work overloads and projects if necessary.
Do I have to pay you for sick leave?
A Virtual Assistant works much like any
other contractor hired on either a short-term or long-term basis, in the same
way as would an electrician or an accountant. The hire agreement can cover a
particular project, a set period or be on "as-needed" basis. Because I am a
contractor rather than an employee you do not have to pay annual leave, sick
leave, superannuation or other benefits. Engaging a virtual assistant is like
hiring a temp except there is no minimum charge and you don't have to organise
office space or equipment.
I want to be a VA, can you tell me how?
There are some great resources available on
the internet about starting up as a VA. I highly recommend the advice of Kathie
Thomas, one of the leading figures in the Australian Virtual Assistant industry.
She provides a range of resources including books, articles and newsletters.
A Clayton's Secretary is one of the oldest VA networks online and you can become a member too! Why not visit today and learn how you can benefit from being a
member of this team.
You might also find this
FAQ by Katie Baird helpful and this site by
Sandra provides
comprehensive advice for anyone considering becoming a VA.I want to be a writer, where do I start?
Again, there are plenty of great resources
on the internet. Some of my favourite sites include the BBC's
Get Writing and Allen &
Unwin's Being a
Writer. I would also recommend having a look at the websites of your
favourite authors because many of them include advice pages. For example - in
addition to being a fantastic fiction writer -
Holly Lisle offers workshops and
courses.
If you have access to a library, most stock
suitable books and good titles are always available at bookshops. I've
listed three of my favourites on the gravy page.
