Question of the Week: Re-Entering The Work Force As a Virtual Assistant

I received the following email today from one of my readers and wanted to share it as many of you may have similar feelings:

I decided to stay home on a full time basis approximately 10 years ago to raise my three children. Prior to that time, my corporate roles, although titled impressively, basically relied on my skills in administration and organization. In the last 10 years I have done some volunteer work and helped a friend with her home-based business. At this time, I feel I, and my children, are ready for me to explore the next phase of my career.

I am in the application process through AssistU and was directed to you in that process. After reading your online information, I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed from a technology perspective. Although I am a self-starter and am familiar with the internet and software skills I will need as a VA, how will I ever figure out what I need in terms of accessing information, routing information and be on the cutting edge in terms of what I can provide to a client? Am I a dinosaur after leaving the corporate world 10 years ago, and am I trainable? I feel like there is so much I missed. Is it too late?

J.G.
Colorado – USA

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First of all, thank you so much, J.G. for sharing your experience! I’m sure many women can relate your situation and feelings. Let me answer your questions:

1. How will I ever figure out what I need in terms of accessing information, routing information and be on the cutting edge in terms of what I can provide to a client?

You WILL figure it out! It will come to you gradually as you move through this process. You’ll learn, via EA -> VA, how to assess your skill set and how to match up your strengths with services you can offer to your clients. You will learn from AssistU about systems for running your business, how to best collaborate with your clients and how successful VA’s before you have set up thriving businesses. You’ll need to continue educating yourself by reading, taking classes and connecting with other VAs. I can tell from your comments that you are willing to invest your time, energy and resources into your business which is EXCELLENT! Don’t ever lose that! As long as you are willing to keep growing and investing in yourself, you will ALWAYS be a valuable resource to your clients.

2. Am I a dinosaur after leaving the corporate world 10 years ago, and am I trainable?

I won’t lie to you, a lot has changed as regards technology in the last 10 years. However, that doesn’t mean that you are light years behind! There are numerous ways to get up to speed on the key skills your prospective clients are looking for, whether you learn best via audio, visual presentation, in a group setting or one-on-one. You’ll learn more about this in the VTP (Virtual Training Program), so for now, just focus your attention on committing to the training process and making space in your life for your business. You don’t want to take on too much training at once and overwhelm yourself. But you are definitely trainable! You are a self-proclaimed self-starter and having that motivation is really going to work to your advantage as you build your business. The only way you are not trainable is if you don’t want to be. Again, I applaud you for being willing to step outside of your comfort zone and immerse yourself in the process of becoming a Virtual Assistant!

3. Is it too late?

It is ABSOLUTELY not too late! This is the perfect time to enter the Virtual Assistant industry! The economy being what it is, more and more people are choosing to start their own business instead of struggling in corporate America. There are countless opportunities for you to engage new clients and support them, all the while creating a thriving business for yourself. You will only be limited by your imagination and your willingness to learn, grow and try new things. It sounds like you have solid administrative experience under your belt and there is no reason to let that go to waste, or to let it be underappreciated by a boss or company that doesn’t value your contributions.

You’ve already made significant progress by researching the virtual assistant industry and applying to AssistU, so keep up the good work! And, please feel free to contact me if I may be of further assistance.

Best regards,

Sydni