Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

MyVAS · #1 (**permalink**) 07-14-2011

I have a potential client who emailed me he wants me to edit some papers for his Nonprofit Student Based French-English 4th Grade Program with very strict guidelines on how to edit the papers..the thing is he has 12 test that take 45 minutes EACH to complete before I can do the project! But if I FAIL a test he doesn't want me to do the project...he requires a 75% rate or above on each test. Would you do this what are your thoughts on this? This is going to take up a lot of time for these test, he will pay for the time on the test IF I PASS each. I feel like I'm going back to school. Haha

ClockwiseVA · #2 (**permalink**) 07-14-2011

Wow, that's a great deal of time that he's asking you to invest upfront with no payment or guarantee of any, as a result.

Let's assume you pass all of those tests, will the income generated justify the time lost upfront? In other words, how much business do you think he will have for your first project and the foreseeable future? If he will be a long-term client providing lots of work then it might be worth eating those test hours. If not, tough as it is to walk away, I think I would.

Your Virtual Wizard · #3 (**permalink**) 07-14-2011

This is my opinion on this...

I would not bother with this type of a client. This sounds to me like an employer-employee relationship.

A VA is an expert in her/his field. Clients who come to you for assistance need to recognize that you are the one with the skills to help them succeed.

This client is unsure of your skills and that could be for any number of reasons but I'm guessing that he is looking at a VA-client relationship in terms of employee-employer. And that is what you don't need to contend with. It's a 'red flag'.

I do not feel that these types of clients are worth the time. And I understand that you want to work and it might be a paying opportunity that you need to get started. But my experience has been that if a client is testing the waters on his terms then you may have a tough time gaining trust over time.

Who is this client who determines when and if you get paid? You are the business owner and you determine whether you are paid.

If you decide to go with the client, you can do one of three things:

1) Refuse nicely, to take the test. Explain that you are a business owner and an expert in your field. Explain that he wouldn't give a plumber a test when he called upon this service person to work on his pipes. If he hired an attorney, he would not give the attorney a test. Your job is no different. You are offering a service that your contract and your terms will provide for his satisfaction of the work.

2) You can take the tests and get paid. (Might set a precedent for future work assignments)

3) You can take the tests, not pass and not get paid.

I suggest the first, which may cost you the work but will gain respect and confidence to know that you do not need to be tested. You know what you are doing and do not need to prove that to anyone.

Janine

PeppyM · #4 (**permalink**) 07-14-2011

It is obvious that he wants to take control of your business by putting his unreasonable conditions on hiring you. I agree with other posters that you are a business owner and you are offering your expertise. He can take it or leave it. I would not do business with this man. Even if you can work out some kind of agreement regarding taking the tests; the fact that he is putting such conditions on hiring you does not bode well for a future business relationship with him.

JKVirtualOffice · #5 (**permalink**) 07-14-2011

It sounds like to me he may be looking to get free work done under the guise that it's a test and then when you have them done, he "declares" you didn't pass and yet he's gotten free work done. This isn't worth your time.

The Perfect Word · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2011

Twelve tests at 45 minutes each? Wow. Unless you really need the work, I wouldn't do it. I mean, even though he's paying you for your test-taking time, what if you don't pass. Who knows what he has on those tests anyway.

I really like what Janine said--he wouldn't give tests to an attorney, a plumber, or any other person he hired to do a job. You are a person running a business and I think if he isn't confident enough in your skills to hire you without the tests then he should find someone else (and let them deal with him!). You really shouldn't have to do this.

MyVAS · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2011

Thanks everyone! I told him how I felt about the situation and he decided he was unfair, and would like me to just take on the project. After the project ( he's going to consider this my test based off the quality of work..but PAID of course haha) he'll consider going retainer.

ClockwiseVA · #8 (**permalink**) 07-15-2011

So glad to hear that it might work out. When I was in sales (a long time ago) a few of my more challenging prospects ended up being some of my best accounts. Sometimes they are worth the effort, other times not so much.

Fingers-crossed it pans out favorably for you

mwinall · #9 (**permalink**) 07-15-2011

I agree with Kimberly...I think he's trying to get the work done for free and that's not a reasonable assumption. I understand taking the project however with hopes that he's going to be a loyal client...if he wants to work with you then he should be flexible unless as the other comments here suggest, he's taking charge and giving you orders and being the "boss". Good luck.

leedrozak · #10 (**permalink**) 07-15-2011

Birdie,

Sounded to me that he wanted to some free work too. Especially after how quickly he changed his mind and considered your first project your test. I am glad you stuck to your guns. Hope everything works out well for you and this client.