Hi Everyone!

I'm a 20 year old college undergrad student. I have held many office assistant jobs in the past, and I am currently employed with my university. However, I could really use some extra money and I have been looking for a second job. Working from home would be ideal for me, especially in this field!

Next fall I am going to begin my graduate studies in Information Sciences. This is part of the reason why I need to save some money.

So, where do I begin? What steps should I take to find work as a virtual assistant? I have the experience, the knowledge, the work ethic, and references.

Hello and welcome
The first thing you'll want to understand is that being a VA means being a business owner - so you're not looking for 'work' or jobs but clients.
Here's a list of startup points you might find useful in getting started.

Best of luck, and enjoy reading through the boards. Feel free to post your own questions and comments!

__________________

Good thoughts from Tess. Just a word of advice, though. If you're looking for a 'quick' second income, being a VA is probably not for you. It takes most of us between 6 months and a year to get our first client...

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

Originally Posted by Office Goddess

Just a word of advice, though. If you're looking for a 'quick' second income, being a VA is probably not for you. It takes most of us between 6 months and a year to get our first client...

Great advice, Lily! It is something that more new VAs could use being told, although it may not be something they want to hear.

__________________
Kate V. Kerans
Kerans Virtual Assistance

Hi and to the Forum!

I wish you every success in your new business venture!

(Wow! Six months to a year before the first client that is quite a sobering thought! It's just as well I thought about setting up my VA business whilst I still had a full time job!)

Avocet

The thing is that working as a VA is based mainly on trust and relationship building. If businesses don't know and trust you they are probably not that quickly keen to give you their work. Sometimes VAs get work through RFPs, but I guess it's the same and you need to build up a reputation first and that needs time, effort and trust. Just my 2 cents...

__________________
Heike Miller
www.heikemiller.com

Welcome aboard don't hesitate to ask questions 'coz people here are so friendly and very helpful as well to newbies just like me...so sit back and read on..you'll learn a lot

__________________
VirtualDeskDepot.com-(comingsoon)