VA 101PRE-EVENT SEMINAR FIRST ASSIGNMENT

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What are the top questions people ask about becoming a "VA“?

What does it take to become a virtual assistant?

1. How did you become a Virtual Assistant?

2. What did you do before being a Virtual Assistant?

3. What type of people do you tend to work for? Business owners, private individuals etc..?

4. Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?

5. What is the part about being a Virtual Assistant that you most enjoy?

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6. What is the most challenging part of being a Virtual Assistant?

7. What skills are most important within a Virtual Assistant role?

8. If you were given the opportunity to improve a skill, what would it be?

9. What kind of a character would best suit being a Virtual Assistant?

10.Would you say previous PA experience is vital to become a Virtual Assistant or could people get into that line of work with transferable skills?

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Q AND A FROM ONE OF TIGER’S TOP VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS – WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

1. How did you become a Virtual Assistant? I was working as a Senior PA for a private individual and due to moving

around as an Army wife, I worked virtually throughout the second year of our contract.  I have also run my own communications business for about 8 years now, working virtually for clients on projects such as web design, freelance writing and marketing and so I was experienced in the most unique aspect of the role, namely working away from the client.  I then applied for the Tiger Virtual position earlier this year and was successful in joining the team.

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2. What did you do before being a Virtual Assistant? I have worked as a PA/Administrator for about 10 years, working

my way up from a Team Administrator to a Senior PA/EA.  I have also worked in a number of other industries, such as marketing, property and web design, which gives breadth to the skills I can offer.

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3. What type of people do you tend to work for? Business owners, private individuals etc..? I tend to work for smaller companies and/or individuals, in a

private and/or commercial capacity.  I specialize in working for fledgling companies or for individuals, where a ‘sleeves-rolled-up’ approach is required, and my role tends to be very varied.

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4. Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant? As an Army wife I move every few years, which makes it hard to

find a long-term job in one specific location.  Working as a Virtual Assistant allows me the flexibility to maintain a career for myself whilst fitting in with my husband’s.  I also have other interests outside of work, which I am able to fit in more easily due to saving time through not having to commute.

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5. What is the part about being a Virtual Assistant that you most enjoy? I like the autonomy and the challenges that come from getting

to know and understand a client without daily face-to-face interaction, and the subsequent satisfaction when the client is thrilled with the support one is providing.

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6. What is the most challenging part of being a Virtual Assistant? Being on your own all day can be tough and a bit isolating, so it

is vitally important to make time to leave the house at least once during the working day, as you would do in an office.  I go swimming, walk the dog, meet friends for a coffee or run some errands, in order to change the environment and talk to someone other than the dog!  Staying away from the fridge can be a challenge too…

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7. What skills are most important within a Virtual Assistant role? Self-motivation is essential, as is time-keeping, organization,

being content with the fairly solitary set-up.  One needs to be utterly professional and have a good listening ear to discern what clients are looking for and to then deliver the project on time.  It is also important to be able to communicate clearly both verbally and in written format.

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8. If you were given the opportunity to improve a skill, what would it be? I would like to improve my good French skills back up to near

fluency, incorporating business French.

9. What kind of a character would best suit being a Virtual Assistant? Independent, resilient, pro-active and problem-solving.

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10. Would you say previous PA experience is vital to become a Virtual Assistant or could people get into that line of work with transferable skills? I would say that it is crucial to understand how to administratively support

an individual in their business pursuits, alongside a strong knowledge of IT packages, good typing skills and a ‘can-do’ attitude.  So many workplaces nowadays ask their staff to multi-task and it may be that all of these things are being accomplished by someone who is not strictly a ‘PA’.  That someone may be able to bring something else to the table such as marketing skills, or an understanding of website Content Management Systems; it’s all about making one’s skills clear on a CV and being able to explain your diversity in interview.