With unemployment figures steadily improving from rock-bottom conditions, now is the time to look for a virtual assistant job. There are two primary reasons why looking for a position now rather than later makes sense. First of all, more people are hiring these days than they have been in recent years. As the economy improves, more people are interested in expanding their businesses and easing their time commitments. That is precisely where a virtual assistant comes into play. The other reason is because more people are busier today than they have been in the past. With more digital technology comes more responsibility and it’s gotten to the point where today’s business person is far too busy to even eat lunch most days. That is precisely where you, future virtual assistant, can submit your application and get yourself hired. To really stack the deck in your favor and to secure a position today rather than tomorrow, here are a few virtual assistant tips to put into action right now.
Take an Excellent Photo
Out of all of the virtual assistant tips contained herein, this one is by far the most important. The people who will be hiring you and trusting you to handle various tasks are going to want to know that you are presentable and trustworthy. Even if you plan to work in your pajamas most days, get yourself together for fifteen minutes or so and have a great photo taken that you can then spread around online to really put your best foot forward.
Use this photo on your virtual assistant Facebook, Twitter and Google+ pages. Put the photo on LinkedIn, and you may even want to print it out and place it on any physical resumes that you may consider handing out. Just because you are applying for a virtual assistant position doesn’t mean that you can’t network offline, and a good professional photo will improve your chances of being hired online or off.
Use the Best Language
Physical appearances can only go so far. The next few virtual assistant tips apply to the content you provide on your webpages, social media profiles and anywhere else potential clients may look online. In order to attract more potential clients your way, you need to identify the major pain points that those hiring virtual assistants may feel as they go through the process.
For example, people who hire virtual assistants may become frustrated when a person they just hired flakes on them. The assistant may have been very communicative in the beginning – at least until the payment cleared – and then the person all but disappearance. Or consider the fact that many people considering hiring virtual assistants may find their services too expensive. Some people may have no idea what a virtual assistant even does.
Use this knowledge to your advantage and fill your website, social media accounts and paid marketing ads with language that speaks to the average person who may make communicating with an assistant part of their regular day. Tell potential hires that you will be there whenever they need you and that you will even work after-hours and on weekends if you have to. Tell them that you won’t charge too much or that you will be sure to provide the exact value that they expect. Finally, inform your future clients that you will help them with whatever processes they don’t feel like doing themselves. You’ll compile grocery lists, schedule flight plans, call the drycleaners or make reservations for two at Fogo de Chao.
You will do far better with these virtual assistant tips if you make all potential clients believe that you will always be right there at a moment’s notice; virtually of course. Anytime your clients need a letter written, a lawyer contacted or a book published, you are the person they should always call.
Use Every Resource at Your Fingertips
With a photo that shows you at your very best and the best language you can muster depicting your virtual assistant web presence in the very best light, you are encouraged to spread the word about your employment status everywhere online. Use Facebook to mine your contacts to see if anyone is in the market for a virtual assistant. Use Twitter to get your virtual assistant resume out to the masses and invite potential clients to interview you live in virtual reality using a Google+ Hangout. Whatever you do, don’t forget about LinkedIn, which is where many professionals will go to the find the assistants they are willing to hire.
It’s all about presentation, and you will have that covered with great imagery and professional wording. It is up to you to actually come through on your promises, however. These virtual assistant tips can only take you so far, in other words. Your success and your future depends on how committed you are to become the best in your field. You must start somewhere. Put these tips into action, hope for the best and your virtual assistant ambitions are sure to become a reality.
Image Source: Jared Tarbell on Flickr
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