Virtual Assistant work - any good? your advice/experience please!

[Moonandstar5]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to get back into work after being a SAHM since my DS was born (He's almost 4 yo now and will be starting reception in Sep). I have researched some WFH options like Virtual Assistant or Transcription work as a career change as I'm interested in the flexibility and freedom especially around school schedule.

Are you a VA? or planning to be one? what is it like? is it school friendly? I have some admin experience but not a tonne. I'm thinking to do a short course online.

Hi OP

Firstly, please please avoid any companies that require you to make payment - they are RIFE over employment websites and a total con!

Find a reputable agency that specialises in VA.

If you can, do some free/cheap courses to add to your CV e.g audio typing to make yourself stand out.

Im a PA rather than a VA although I do work remotely a few days a week, there is absolutely scope for flexibility. My sister worked self employed as a VA which meant she managed her own time and workload.

Hi @Butteryflakycrust83, thanks for the heads up! Didn’t realise that.

I was thinking to go on a course like you said but for VA. I saw one on Udemy and there’s one at Pitman Training I’m just not sure if it’s legit. That’s a good idea though. I think audio typing could be something I’m interested in. Maybe social media or graphic design or writing like blogs and content.

Definitely good for thought!

Pitmans is good!

I also did some great courses with Janets when I was made redundant and needed to sort my CV out.

@Butteryflakycrust83 ah yes I did see on Reed.co.uk they were offering it as a diploma and then saw the price and no I can’t afford it - but they do have another VA course I’m thinking to do. Just thinking about the business side of it. I’m not a natural entrepreneur!

What’s Janets if you don’t mind me asking?

www.janets.org.uk/courses/

They have a sale on today too!

Look at the threads on Dict8 - sorry, I've no idea how to link on my phone, but if you search Dict8, they will come up.

I did an Executive PA Diploma with Pitman which I loved and everything can be done remotely now.

The way the world has changed through WFH with the pandemic has probably opened up opportunities for VA work - I've recently been approached by a company I used to work as a PA for to help out on some massive workload, and I can do it at home around my other work commitments. I left the job because I moved away but that doesn't matte me any more!

*doesn't matter