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With our previous article, we shared all about what a Virtual Assistant does, and why online jobs are the way to go.

Now that you understand what a Virtual Assistant is, and have decided to become one, what is the next step?

Let us go through the checklist of the things you need before embarking on being a Virtual Assistant.

1. Make Sure You Are Work-From-Home Ready

Just like when you prepare for regular office work, you have to make sure you have the right attire, are not late, and are familiar with the tools needed for the job. With work from home, it’s the same. You need to make sure that you are all set before starting your online career.

Here are the things you need to prepare to be work-from-home ready.

A computer/laptop.

We recommend getting a computer rather than a laptop if you are a first-timer. With desktops, you can update your system unit if a higher specification is needed or if you need to add peripherals to your computer set-up. They are also cheaper than laptops. If there is any downside, that is, it won’t be portable. However, you can easily upgrade to a laptop once you have stable employment.

A stable internet connection.

If you are to spend money on your new work-from-home set-up, we highly advise that you invest more in your internet connection (if at all possible). A fast and stable internet connection is a must if you plan to work from home. It helps with your productivity and saves you from the nightmare of a buffering internet when you need to attend online meetings or interviews.

Another tip is to get a reliable backup connection like a pocket-wifi – this is a lifesaver when your primary internet connection suddenly becomes unstable.

Noise-canceling headphones

There is hardly a zero-noise environment unless you are in a soundproof room. And most times, you need a quiet space to have a peaceful and focused conversation with your client or even when you are just working on your tasks. Investing in affordable but decent noise-canceling headphones will help you greatly when working.

2. Make Sure You Are Interview Ready

In one of our articles, we shared Five Ways To Impress Your Recruiter Even Before The Interview. Here is a summary of that article:

Have an organized resume that showcases your skills, talents, and employment history.
Have a prominent online presence and ensure that your social media accounts or online profiles have professional content (if public).
Research your prospective employer’s business. It is always a plus if you put a lot of effort into knowing the company you are applying for because this shows your future employer that you are interested in working with them.
Go through some possible questions and practice answering them.
Make sure your computer, headset, and video cam are working, and the internet is stable before the interview. If your internet is unstable, tell your interviewer or client and advise on how long it would take you to get back online or to reschedule it all together. Sometimes technical difficulties are unavoidable even if you made sure that everything is ready. With the right response to your interviewer or client, you might get a second interview or meeting.

3. Make Sure You Are Training Ready

It makes a good impression and shows commitment to being a Virtual Assistant if you have undergone Virtual Assistant training/courses.

There is a lot of free and paid training for Virtual Assistants that you can go through. However, if you can’t afford to buy training yet, you can probably use your existing skillset and leverage it.

In our article, “How To Make Money From What You Know,” we explained how your previous office-based experience could help you land a work-from-home job without an online course.

4. Make Sure You Are Payment Ready

With PhilTeamFinder, once we have placed our candidate with an employer, their trial period is already paid. It is in your best interest to set up a PayPal account, the most popular online payment platform used by overseas employers, to get paid without hassles.

Starting from scratch may be difficult, but remember that anything worth having will require some work. Do what’s needed, work smart, and stay focused on your end goal.

Now that you have more information about the steps to being a Virtual Assistant, are you ready to become one? Our team can help you get started here.

First impressions create a person’s mental image, so it is crucial to give your interviewer the best version of yourself. If you are one candidate in the pool of hundreds, how can you make sure that you stick out in that crowd?

Here, we share five ways you can wow your recruiter even before the interview starts.

1. HAVE AN ORGANIZED RESUME

Treat your resume as your identification card. This is your first introduction to your recruiter so ensure it is readable and informative.

Use one font for all text and make the document as straightforward as possible.

Ensure you have customized the application to exactly match the job you are applying for.

List your employment history in order, your skills and experiences, your interests, and your updated personal information. This will help your recruiter have the right information about you.

Have someone proofread your document for spelling errors. Attention to detail is one of the most important traits your recruiter looks for in a candidate.

2. HAVE A PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILE

Consider your social media as your virtual resume. Your social media profile can say a lot about you. If your profile is public, ensure that they’re professional-looking, and your posts showcase your experience and interests. It is also good to look through your previous posts and filter those that might turn off a future employer.

3. BUILD A STRONG ONLINE PRESENCE

There is a big chance your recruiter will Google you before your interview, so checking your online footprint might be a good idea. You might have shared a link, commented on a post, or posted something controversial that you may want to remove. It is best to build a strong and reputable online presence you would be proud of.

Creating a LinkedIn account if you haven’t yet is a great start. Here, you can sell yourself by filling it up with your work experience and skills. Linking your previous companies and references to your account makes you more trustworthy.

4. BE COURTEOUS AND QUICK TO RESPOND

Your recruiter will contact you either via email or phone if they deem you a great fit. Make sure to respond quickly, politely, and professionally. Responding right away is ideal. And if you are replying via email, make sure to do a quick spell check before hitting the send button.

If they reached out to you via phone and are unavailable, make sure to call them back the minute you are free and explain why you were not able to receive their call. Being respectful can go a long way.

5. BE PUNCTUAL AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK

If you are invited to attend an interview schedule with your recruiter, be there on time or earlier. Make sure you are presentable whether it’s a face to face, video, or audio-only interview. Find a quiet place to conduct the call and make sure your background scene is tidy. Use the best internet connection and sound gear available to you,

Research the company that is recruiting you so that you understand who they are and what they are looking for. This will help you stand out over other candidates. Employers like it when you have cared enough to understand them.

Acing your interview is important. However, setting a positive impression even before the meeting will make your recruiter like you more. And it helps to get extra points.

As Andrew Carnegie says, “You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb.” You can’t be a passive job seeker when the market is competitive. Recruiters are looking for passionate people who show initiative.

Have you nailed an interview lately? Comment your best practices below!