Hello everyone!!! My name is Caroline. I've been working from home servicing clients by working the phones doing customer service and sales for several years now. Outside of the home, I worked as an Executive Secretary and I also have some experience working in the banking industry as a Financial Service Representative.

I'd like to be completely frank and say I'm burnt out. Working the phones for hours at a time everyday has made me dread going to my office. Working outside the home... I loved doing clerical work, organizing, making calls, scheduling, working at my own pace and feeling proud of all I accomplished.

I've been looking into pursuing a VA career for a few months now but I don't have a skill like bookkeeping or transcribing or even writing.

My question is: Is there hope for me in the VA community? And if there is hope...how should I market myself? I want to love my work again. I hope this is the beginning of a wonderful career.

Hello, Caroline. You have dynamic skills to offer to the virtual assistance industry. I believe there is a section dedicated to subcontracting on this forum, which might be a great way for you to get started. You definitely have a great deal of experience to offer.

Take a deep breath and browse through the forum (I'm sure you've already done that!). I believe you will find what you are looking for. I'm not an avid one to post links, but perhaps someone will jump in and give you a hand.

Welcome to this fabulous forum.

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Patty

Hi Caroline

It is going to be the beginning of a wonderful career! Welcome.

The good thing is that you know what you loved, and that in itself, could help you to fall in love again.

A good start would be to pause for a moment and update your resume/CV. Doing so will give you an inventory of your skills (you will be pleasantly surprised that you do have skills) which you have used in the past to enrich others.

Once you have identified these, you will then begin to see what accomplishments made you feel really proud, which areas you were passionate about, and how you can use those skills to market yourself and create a wonderful career.

Best.

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Eunice
Savvy Corporate Planners+

Hi Caroline

Here's a thread that might be useful.

Specialist or Generalist?

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Eunice
Savvy Corporate Planners+

Hi Caroline,

You definitely have skills that can be used as a VA. As you make your list of skills and accomplishments start noting which ones you were passionate about, lukewarm about, and those you dread taking on. The passionate ones would be the ones you could specialize in while still offering those you are lukewarm about. the ones you dread doing could even be listed under items you don't do. That way you can weed out PC's inquiring about the "don't do list".

Just a suggestion...

Linda

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Linda Faust
www.lmfva.com

Caroline,

You worked as an Executive Secretary and in banking, yes you certainly have skills. You have gotten some great advice about inventorying your skills and that is where you need to begin. You should also figure out who your ideal client is, who you most want to work with and finally how much money you would like to bring in each month.

Bookkeeping, transcribing and writing are specialized skills, however there is a great need for generalist admins too. Many business owner need some help in keeping organized, customer service (emails, correspondence, appointment confirms) and project management. There is a lot of room for you in the VA industry.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Gahh... I hated working in banks. I did it for 4 years, then, like you... the monotony got to me and I had to get out. I have never been so relieved to end a job in my life. It's really great being your own boss, I never thought I'd get the chance, especially this young. I thanks this forum because now I have bigger goals and better ideas. You will learn a great deal from here, take what you like and leave the rest.

Welcome, Caroline!

I (and probably many others here) totally understand the whole burnout thing. I spent 8 years working in a job that took advantage of my skills and gave me little back. I even had to take a forced promotion with a promised pay raise that I had to fight with the president about in order to get it a year and a half later (not retroactive at all). Calls to come in and fix things at 3am...midnight...all handled for free since I was salaried. But I digress...

I'm with you in looking to this as an opportunity to relight whatever energy has burned out from past, draining jobs. From what I've seen here so far, you've definitely come to the right place seeking guidance!

Now, about your skills. You mentioned "clerical work, organizing, making calls, scheduling". To me, those skills are what I would consider very 'transferable'! And, while it might be good to add something like transcription, etc for later, I agree that you can definitely get started now. I saw mentioned to look in to subcontracting. If you do that, it may also be a good opportunity to mentor under a skilled VA as well as get work from them.
Oops, another long post. Sorry! Here's to wishing you success!

Thanks so much for all the advice!!! I've decided to look more closely at the subcontracting side of things. I think that would be the smart path to take. Research, research, and more research!!

Just an update: Things are moving along. I've got a mentor now and a website. I just landing my first contract. It's small ...but it's mine! LOL Thanks everyone!

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L. Caroline Mills of LC Mills, Inc.
www.lcmillsinc.com