I'm new to the virtual assistant arena, and wondering what is the best training and certification to get? Any insight is appreciated.

I would suggest that the best training you can acquire will be that which enhances any skills you already have, or teaches you a new skill. If you're asking about VA-specific training or certs my own personal opinion is that there isn't a single one your clients and potential clients will 'care' about or even be aware of. Anyone who tells you otherwise likely just wants to sell you something I've been in business four years and have never had a client or PC ask about either. What they want to know is what I'm capable of - and usually that's going to be communicated to them through referrals, testimonials, and a portfolio.

With that said, I have not participated in but have heard great things about VA Classroom for social media and internet marketing, so if that's a service you're offering it might be a useful course to take - but not necessarily for the 'badge' but for the literal information it will teach you.

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Thanks for this insight I have a lot of on site experience as an admin, so I will probably just revamp my resume to reflect that. What's the website for VA Classroom? That looks interesting too.

I would agree with Tess that your clients or potential clients won't care what certifications you have, they're only interested in the years of experience you bring to the table and what you can do for them. 30 years (that I'll admit to ) as a legal/exec/admin assistant brings me clients that no certificate ever will.

Lynne

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

Originally Posted by Limey

Thanks for this insight I have a lot of on site experience as an admin, so I will probably just revamp my resume to reflect that. What's the website for VA Classroom? That looks interesting too.

Just in case you or anyone else still needs this site info, I looked it up. It is at: http://www.vaclassroom.com/

Have a Great Day!

Bobbi

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Bobbi Hunter
http://www.huntervaservices.com

Limey,

I have personally taken some of VAclassrooms courses and have really learned alot from them! They are wonderful and I highly recommend that you check them out and to anyone else that is interested! The courses are online and you can do them at your leisure as time allows with your business and they have forums that you can join as well to talk with others as you are going through the course.

The courses are well worth the money spent! Hope this helps!

Merry Christmas everyone!
Sandra

I was also wondering if I should take any classes to get certified and ended up taking a class from VAClassroom.

I agree that it should be something that enhances your skills and that you will enjoy doing it.

Like any job, we are always learning, either through class or on the job. In most companies, they try to send their employees to a class at least once a year.

Hope that helps!

I, too, was wondering about certification but having read your comments and looked at the VA classroom, I have decided to do a couple of their classes instead of paying extortionate amounts of fees just to get a certificate to say I am a qualified VA. Thanks for all the info guys!!!!

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Cassandra S Ward
An aspiring Virtual Assistant

Also check out www.aove.org if you are just looking to take some useful classes JUST FOR VAs!

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

When you consider certifications, you have to look at a variety of factors behind it and how they relate to your goals and experience. What's involved in getting that certification? Does it involve simply sitting through a course? Are you required to take an exam? Where does the training for this exam come from?

Some certifications are based on exams for which they teach you the material...and the course is meant to teach you how to pass. Other certifications have no training at all and rely strictly on your current training and experience as a measure of the standard. Some of those require an exam, others don't. There's one out there right now that does not require an exam or a course, but they evaluate you based on material you present to them as well your online presence in the VA community. They're all so very different.

Then there are certifications that are specific to job roles or software suites. Those are often the most difficult exams, but the most desirable.

When looking at an organization for training you should consider these things. Where is their authority to issue a certification? Is it recognized anywhere? Can you use it to promote your business? Does it fit your business model?

For most VA's your clients aren't going to care too much if you're a Certified VA. I am, and have been asked in the past about it... but many have not. Your clients are going to appreciate specific certifications, like Microsoft Office Specialist or Adobe Certified Associate/Expert. Then there are VAs who do bookkeeping who become Quickbooks Advisors.

In the end, where the training comes from isn't nearly as important as what you make of it and how it will help you advance your career as a VA. Plus, how does it coincide with your previous education? There are VAs who have a GED/HS diploma and others who have doctoral degrees. I can tell you from experience, though... that the fancy of piece of paper doesn't often say much... it's what you can do with it and your abilities. The certifications are usually gravy.

There are some clients who come along who may be picky... I know a couple months back a potential client contacted me and the conversation didn't last long because he said he wouldn't hire a VA who didn't have a specific Microsoft designation for database administrators.

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Marian Harmon, Certified Virtual Assistant
www.crossmydesk.com