What is a Virtual Assistant and are they different from the virtual secretarial services?
The Virtual Assistant (VA) industry has grown rapidly in the previous few years and its definition has evolved as well. The entrepreneurs who founded this industry defined what the work entailed and set standards to be upheld. These standards are vital for increasing the credibility of all of the home based professionals in this industry.
If you consider the term “virtual assistant” the name defines the job as virtual. This means the work is completed remotely, typically in the assistant’s home office. This distinguishes this profession from a telecommuter who is an employee who is allowed to work remotely. The Virtual Assistant is an independent business professional, operating from their own workplace on a contract basis for a specific client. These are business owners and not workers of the companies they provide services for.
The second half of the name is “assistant”. This term distinguishes the Virtual Assistant from a secretary or freelance worker. While a home secretary may perform an administrative task one time for an organization, the VA’s goal is to establish a relationship with a business. They work in a uniquely collaborative partnership with the client and perform specific services for that business according to their business needs. Most virtual skilled assistants prefer to not be viewed as freelance employees where that name implies someone who performs a job on the side extra money. The virtual assistant is building their own distinguished work at home business with long-term monetary goals in mind.
The first virtual administrative professionals paved the way for future entrepreneurs and did an excellent job of setting high standards for the industry. The typical VA has more than 10 years of high level administrative experience and is extremely skilled in a selection of software programs. They are skilled in business writing, office procedures, computer and net technology. These aren’t home typists but very educated, experienced professionals with skills that prove invaluable to the companies they support.
If you are considering becoming a virtual assistant chief distinction to remember is that you will own your own business and establish yourself as a useful partner to your entrepreneuer’s business. Successful VAs take enormous pride in the fact that they help their client’s business grow and prosper. Several of these virtual administrative assistants are kept on retainer by their clients and serve them on a continuing basis with whatever services are required. It is quite a bit easier for a business to use the services of a known virtual assistant who has in depth information of their business and has proven their ability to supply superior work.
If you are an experienced administrative professional who is interested in starting your work from home you need to learn a lot regarding what a virtual assistant is and determine if you have what it takes to become a Virtual Assistant.