What about career sites - Virtual Assistant Forums

SupportMyOffice · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008

Does anyone here apply to jobs from career sites like Monster.com? I was just wondering if it would pay off to apply and sell the benefits of a virtual employee.

Office Goddess · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008

I don't because I am trying to sell myself as a business, not an employee.

Tess · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008

Ditto to that! I've never seen a single listing for anything other than employee (onsite or off) on sites like Monster etc.

Write Associate · #4 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008

I'm a little confused...I see what you're saying about not applying to monster.com because you're not positioning yourself as an employee, but then I've heard of other VAs who encourage applying to job postings on places like craigslist.org. Most of those listings are also looking for employees, from what I've seen, and I thought the big challenge is convincing them to consider using a virtual assistant.

If you don't apply to places like monster.com or craigslist, do you use other sites to find prospects, like freelance job sites? Any recommendations?

Office Goddess · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008

I respond to craigslist ads as a business, not a potential employee. It is a different scenario to respond to a listing on craigs list (which is kind of a free-for-all) than to a career-specific site like monster - IMHO

Write Associate · #6 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008

Lily - I was wondering if that was the case. Thanks for the explanation!

Gems Virtual Office · #7 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008

I respond to both Craigslist and Career Sites, as well as any local job search sites...but as a business owner, not an employee.....you never know who you might find that is advertising for an employee, but would also be open to a VA as a solution!

VBP · #8 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008

I do the same as well. I respond as a business, not an employee. I have had people call me back so it's worth it to check those sites out here and there. But just make sure your marketing is spread out over other avenues as well. I have found that a good mix of marketing has worked well for me.

rhonmanning · #9 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008

Originally Posted by VBP

I do the same as well. I respond as a business, not an employee. I have had people call me back so it's worth it to check those sites out here and there. But just make sure your marketing is spread out over other avenues as well. I have found that a good mix of marketing has worked well for me.

Supportmyoffice, thanks for asking this question! I was actually wondering about doing the same thing but I wasn't sure how to go about it or if I should at all.

Deb, Goddess, VBP, when you answer job ads how do you approach it? Is there something special that you say? Do you just send your standard marketing letter? Also a lot of the contact information from job ads is direct to the HR department. How do you get around that? One of my reservations about trying this type of marketing was that I figured an HR person would simply trash it. Thanks for the feedback!

Office Goddess · #10 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008

I only respond to CL ads. I start with something along the lines of "In response to your ad for a **, I would like to introduce myself and my company. My name is..." I then go on to explain about my company, the advantages of working with a VA, and how that relates to their job listing.

Originally Posted by rhonmanning

Deb, Goddess, VBP, when you answer job ads how do you approach it? Is there something special that you say? Do you just send your standard marketing letter? Also a lot of the contact information from job ads is direct to the HR department. How do you get around that? One of my reservations about trying this type of marketing was that I figured an HR person would simply trash it. Thanks for the feedback!

Gems Virtual Office · #11 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008

I basically use the same format Lily just mentioned. Just be sure that you do address how you can help them. I wouldn't use just a cover it all form type letter.

lidiagriffin · #12 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008

Originally Posted by Office Goddess

I only respond to CL ads. I start with something along the lines of "In response to your ad for a **, I would like to introduce myself and my company. My name is..." I then go on to explain about my company, the advantages of working with a VA, and how that relates to their job listing.

Have you had much positive feedback from companies that way? Or do they try to convert you into an employee?

Gems Virtual Office · #13 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008

I've had a few inquires and a consultation out of one of them, but no clients. And no I really haven't had anyone try to turn me into an employee, but one offered a very low rate, which was more along the lines of what an employee would get paid....so of course I didn't persue it any further

rhonmanning · #14 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008

Originally Posted by Office Goddess

I only respond to CL ads. I start with something along the lines of "In response to your ad for a **, I would like to introduce myself and my company. My name is..." I then go on to explain about my company, the advantages of working with a VA, and how that relates to their job listing.

Thanks, Goddess!! That's a good way to approach it. I guess my reservations about an HR person throwing it out is kinda silly. No matter how we market or who we market to there's always a chance that someone in our audience will not be interested. We won't know unless we try. The best part about it is that it's totally free. Who knows, maybe the person that sees it will know someone that could use the service and pass the word on.

JacksonAO · #15 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008

I had thought about this too. I started perusing through the michigan talent bank job ads. And 95% of them were from temp agencies, and I didn't think it would be appropriate to target those. But knowing that you've seen some success with this approach I may dig deeper to find the right leads. I'm trying to get my first order! But I'm still writing my business plan.