2. 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?
Quora.com
3. 6.
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.
Quora.com
What is the most challenging part of being a Virtual Assistant?
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?
4. Q AND A FROM ONE OF TIGER’S TOP
VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS – WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
1. How did you become a Virtual Assistant?
Quora.com
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.
5. 2. What did you do before being a Virtual Assistant?
Quora.com
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.
6. 3. What type of people do you tend to work for? Business owners,
private individuals etc..?
Quora.com
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.
7. 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.
Quora.com
8. 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.
Quora.com
9. 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…
Quora.com
10. 7. What skills are most important within a Virtual Assistant role?
Quora.com
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.
11. 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.
Quora.com
12. 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.
Quora.com
