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The question that gets asked over and over again…..
So you may ask, what is this question exactly?
Should a virtual assistant provide a Resume?
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Why A Virtual Assistant should not have a Resume in place.
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In my opinion no!
But in most cases when you are ready to hire a virtual assistant this is one of the questions that you might ask first.
Mind you that these persons might not know that they are not suppose to, but it’s really off putting if you know that hiring a Virtual Assistant is an independent contractor and you still continue to ask a virtual assistant to provide a resume.
The other day, I saw a post that made me cringe and I was wondering if I should respond. Mind you I didn’t respond but here is what the post read.
Looking for A virtual assistant!
Must know how to create awesome graphics and have been doing this for awhile,
Must be able to work 2-4 hours at least per day. Please provide your resume.
Now, I did not mention the application details for privacy reasons, but I was shock when I too was seeing other virtual assistants responding to this post and saying they will provide their resume.
It begs to wonder if these virtual assistants know that they are not suppose to be doing this, or because of a lack of education, they continue to do so.
Now I am not making any judgments on these virtual assistants, because everyone needs to do work and how you do your business is solely up to you.
Research before you continue to send the wrong message.
But clearly it sends the wrong message to prospective clients when, one set of virtual assistants are sending over their resume and another set of virtual assistants are not sending over their resume.
This is where I think there will be a breakdown in the industry, if these set of virtual assistants are not made aware enough of what they are suppose to do and not do.
As an independent contractor working for different walks of life, I wonder if these same individuals who send over their resumes has a contract in place?
It’s sad when a client asks for a resume’ because mind you they might not know much about the industry, but it’s really distasteful if you are operating as a virtual assistant and you do not thoroughly know more about what is expected in the industry, before you start operating your services.
If you want to start your virtual assistant business as well but not sure where to start access this FREE 1 hour video on how to by clicking here
I know that I am not perfect, nor do I claim to know everything, but one thing that I made sure I did, was research what was expected of myself and my business and what I should be doing.
I started my research by joining this FREE forum and networking with other virtual assistants. Its also free for you to join and ask questions as you go along in your virtual assistant business journey.
Now, you might be different and might say that waiting to research and know everything will be time-consuming, in some instances yes, and you can’t know everything in details when you start, but at least knowing the basics of the industry is not nor should it be an excuse to say it’s time consuming.
What you should know before you start.
You must take the initiative to do your due diligence so as not to send the wrong message, especially if you are running a business.
You must take the first step to make sure that you know what is expected in your industry, because there are a lot of free and paid webinars available at your convenience to know how to.
When I started my business, I did not know anything, and I literally started from scratch by learning what I was suppose to do in becoming a virtual assistant.
The same way you started a business and I am sure and hoping you did your research, the same principle must be taken seriously in such an industry.
More importantly I want you to take away if anything from this post, the fact that virtual assistants are independent contractors which means that they do not provide resume’s but testimonials instead.
Another option is you are also welcome to ask for references if you prefer this method from these virtual assistants.
These virtual assistants are responsible for taking care of their health and insurance benefits and because of this they are not an employee of your company or business.
It was nice of you to stop by.
Until then, happy hiring, and best wishes with your business.
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First off, nice blog. I no longer use viritual assistaants due to a bad experience but this really made sense.I’ll be sharing!
I am so sorry that you had to experience this, hope when you are ready to outsource again that it will be a pleasant one.
Informative post. I have been thinking about this for a while, I guess I wasn’t doing my research in depth about being a virtual assistant. I have all the time in my hand and I would love to work at least remotely. How does one start?
That’s awesome that you want to become a virtual assistant. I have resources on both my sidebar and footer of my website. In case you missed on where to start first I would recommend that you join the VAnetworking FREE forum that has a one stop shop for VA related news, services, rates, job board and how to hire a VA and become one you can find this information here http://bit.ly/FreeVAResources best wishes
Thank you so much for the information Juli, I appreciate it.
I can totally understand that you want to emphasize the contractual nature of hiring a VA. But after reading your post I don’t really understand what the problem is with asking for a resume (or perhaps a portfolio and some references or testimonials.)
It’s good to be clear that a contract will define the relationship, but before one signs a contract with a VA, it would seem important to know that the individual is capable of providing the services.
Kyla, I did mention that providing testimonials or references are what should be used instead, because a virtual assistant is an independent contractor.
Put it this way, you would not ask a Doctor, Lawyer or plumber for their resumes for their services and the same must be done for a virtual assistant.
Really beautiful blog…and its a very useful advice for hiring of virtual assistant… thanks for sharing
Thank you.
Interesting, I wasn’t aware of that. I guess it depends on the person. Everyone should be free to run their business their own way.
It should be indeed Alice.
I recently learned that there is a Virtual Assistant as a job. Informative post – Thank you!
pp. A Great Blog!
Thank you, all the best.
I was seriously thinking of getting virtual assistant, but now I will have to think before going in for it
All the best to you.
I never thought about this before. What an informative post. I never thought to have a VA cus my blog is fairly new and I can handle it alone for now. But in the future I’d definitely need one as I work full time.
I am glad I shared some light on this. All the best.
I am glad I came across this article! After being VA, for a year now it’s actually very helpful to have one for someone with busy schedule.
That is awesome and all the best to you!
Hey, I did not know much about virtual assistants, I realize i would have had zero knowledge when looking for one. I will use this information in the future definitely…
That is awesome Jijjy thanks a lot.
This was interesting for me, and I’m not a VA, but I hope to be able to hire one in the future. I looked for the answer a few times, so apologies if I missed it—but why should they not provide them? I didn’t know this was a thing, considering I see VA-wanted posts boasting resumes left and right.
Jane, I think its because some individuals they come into the industry and do not know what is expected so they say “hey, work from home” it’s easy said than done, no research might not have been done so their will be some individuals who will misrepresent the industry. I always start by saying join reputable virtual assistant groups, boards and forums and then from there you will know the standards. All the best.
Hello.. Really interesting post… Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
I think that you should ask for a resume or body of work, but be lenient in what you are reviewing. A VA shouldn’t be a strict role but room for growth and to ensure they have a basic understanding of what you need. Great POV!
Miss Champagne B while I respect your views I have to disagree as a virtual assistant is an independent contractor like a doctor, lawyer, and even a plumber I am sure when you need such services you do not ask these individuals for there Resume’. It’s the same for a virtual assistant who owns and operates their business and their portfolio and testimonials are showing the body of their work. If you look closely operating an online business is the future while some traditions that we hold dear to are slowly a thing of the past, a resume is like this as well.
Loving this!! Mainly because I have a feeling I’m going to be needing one in the near future!! Thanks!
Thank you AC and all the best to you.
It’s a very informative post, but Most of the VA jobs I see always ask for a resume, what should you do then?
Danish inform them that because you are an independent contractor you only provide testimonials and or portfolio, in most cases these individuals need to be educated on the etiquette of the virtual assistant industry.
Very informative article, I would imagine that since they are independent contractor’s references or portfolios would be requested instead.
Yes Evelyn and you are right.
I’ve been thinking about becoming a virtual assistant myself so I’m glad I read this post. Had no idea resumes were not the ‘common-place’ but totally get it now. Thanks for posting. Great site!
Thank you Kristi, I do appreciate it.
Loved the article. Never read a blog talking about such issues. Helped me relate about the virtual assistants, whether to try or not. Thanks for sharing 🙂
No problem Nik, I am appreciative that you got some clarity from the post.
Maybe I missed it, but I don’t see that you mention why they shouldn’t send the resume?
Heather, I did mention that virtual assistants are independent contractors.
I know that I did ask for a resume when I hired my VA. However since she is based outside the United States most of the information on the resume was not familiar to me.
That is an interesting one but I am sure your virtual assistant had the skill set that you needed.
I did not know this about VAs. Interesting to know. My reflect action would have been to ask for resume or some type of portfolio to see other work they have done. When i was starting my business, I remember looking for mentors. (comparing) Quite a few in their industry do show their portfolio of others they have helped and success stories because some mentors literally do not deliver. And i guess some do not. I know in my case I would have asked for testimonials which end up looking like portfolios because if a business says the VA really contributed in the success of their objectives and vision, well their goes their portfolio of work.
You are so right Jijjy and thanks for sharing your take on your experience.
Once someone asked if wanted to be a VA. I was not clear on what the role of a VA as it was i nmu y early days of blogging.I provided the person with a resume but things didnot work out. Now I know what it is I would like not to assume to take on that role a it is too much hard work.
No worries Ingrid, all the best.
Wow, never heard about it. Would love to research more in my free time. Thanks for sharing.
Yes Ash, please let me know if you have any questions.
This is such an informative post. You have done a lot of r&d on this. This is really helpful. Thanks for sharing
Thank you Mala
Hmmmm… I have to say that I’m in the online business world and do want information from VA’s. If they have a website with testimonials I would look at that but I don’t see the problem with asking for their work experience. How you supervise the VA is what makes it’s an employer/employee relationship. In this day of online business, it is so important to hire well. I’ve been part of several ecourses where the person’s VA was terrible! I’m always thinking if only they knew how this person was responding and losing their business they would be shocked. Which is why I think you have to be very thorough on the front end to protect your name and brand.
Nicole that is where you are wrong in terms of supervising the virtual assistant. If you are employing someone it will mean that you are paying their health and insurance benefits in the case you are not so they are not classified as an employee. The mere fact that they are operating a business where they file for taxes and such means that they should improve their communication in the online world, be it through some project management app as asana, email, skyping or simply picking up the phone. No problem in researching and being very thorough on how you collaborate with a virtual assistant but this seems to be the breakdown in the online world when the misconception is given to do so in the industry. As I am sure you look out in protecting your name and brand I am doing the same by educating the standards of the virtual assisting industry. All the best.