Interview tomorrow!

[ChitownJenny]

Hi REVAS!

Guys, I need some guidance here. Tomorrow (Thursday), I am sitting down with my former boss (a quite successful realtor in Chicago) to discuss terms of my VA employment. What would you guys suggest I bring in as a list of talking points and questions? (other than PAY, obviously! )

A bit of background: when I worked for her (1999-2000), it was just her and I as a team. I did ALL scheduling, incoming phones, paperwork, general office tasks, marketing, etc. Everything a high-level executive assistant does. In the years since I left, she has taken on 2 agents to cover showings/licensed areas, and 2-3 FT admin people. She has not been able to keep "my" position filled for more than 6 months at a time. So I think she's looking to get rid of the other admin people, eventually, based on how sucessful I am as her VA. Her business has grown substantially since I worked for her.

I live 2 1/2 hours from Chicago, so I won't be doing physical tasks like running errands, dropping keys, etc. But I imagine I'll be doing a good bit of everything I did before, save marketing (she has her marketing done by a former intern who now lives in China - talk about virtual!). Plans are currently for me to work PT but knowing her as well as I do, I have a strong feeling I'll be FT by the fall.

I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts about things we need to have hammered out. Or just thoughts and advice in general! Since I have a personal relationship with her, I'm not sure which questions to ask.

Also - a side note - her husband works with her as her kind-of general business manager. I know him, sort-of, and he is a brilliant business man and self made millionaire. He does not have the same kind of relationship with me that she does, but he will be sitting in on the meeting tomorrow. I know they have been burned in the past with people who've worked for her/them, but I am concerned he might "lowball" me. How do I convince him I'm worth more than what she used to pay me, let alone worth more than the current deadbeats they have working for them?

Thanks for listening to me!

Jenny

[The Office Virtuoso]

Jenny,

Relax, they know your work and they wouldn't be meeting with you if they didn't think you were worth it. Are you using any kind of VA agreement? If not, look on the forum, there are examples here. The agreement is a good tool to "remind" you of all the topics you should touch on in your meeting (confidentiality, payment terms, etc). I would also bring it with for you and them to sign, because that puts in writing all the expectations on both sides.

Good luck!

[ChitownJenny]

Thanks Kathy! I'm off to look at the VA agreements now. I'll keep everyone posted on what happens!

Jenny

[Tess]

Hi Jenny, congrats on this! Landing a client who already knows your value is a great opportunity

A few things to keep in mind as you go into this meeting - [I'm not a REVA but these things apply regardless]

You are a business owner, not an employee - so you'll want to have your business policies, rates, and similar in place and firm before going in there. Know what you charge for what and what your invoicing process is, how you will accept payment, and what late payment policies will be. Have this laid out for your potential client in writing [work it into your contract or include it in your 'Welcome Packet'

Check the Document Library for contracts you can ammend to include your own terms and search in the New-Client Best Practices for info on what other VAs are putting in their welcome kits - that should give you a good start!

You might want to develop a few 'packages' for certain hours contracted each week or month - that way, you can state your hourly rate and if/when he lowballs you you can offer them a package of X hours per month at a slightly reduced rate.

In all cases you're a business owner here so you need to be prepared to dictate and stand firm behind your own terms.

Good luck and let us know what happens!

[ChitownJenny]

Bummer - I can't access the library yet - not enough posts! LOL Thanks Tess for the advice!

[virtualassistantwiz]

Jenny, you ex employer knows your capabilities, work ethics, and the value you have added to their business.
As mentioned by Tess - you are now a business owner - not an employee and I would suggest focusing on that during the meeting.
"My fees are $x per hour". Period. You know you are worth this and so do they.
Good luck and let us know how it went.

[ChitownJenny]

Thanks for the words of encourgement, Jean! I'm going to keep repeating this tomorrow (in my head) during our meeting "I know I am worth this, and so do you!"

Jenny

[ChitownJenny]

Well, it went alright...as anticiptated, they lowballed me and I countered, which they countered *slightly* higher...nothing was signed or agreed upon. I said I'd have to talk it over with "my financial advisor" (i.e. hubby). He was pissed at the initial lowball, but said since I offered a range (xx amount to xx amount per hour - she said how about xx which was slightly under the bottom of my counter range - keeping in mind she opened the floor with the lowball figure to start with!) I have sort of locked myself into not asking for ABOVE that range (ok, is everyone confused yet??). Anyhow...I am waiting for her to call me so we can continue negotiations. I'm going to counter her counter and see where it goes. I don't know why I am so nervous - this person negotiates for a living and I don't think she's not going to hire me. I hate this part! Let's just say that they offered far below what my research has indicated the national average for VA pay is.

Oy!

[CMColeman]

I'm not sure whether or not it will help, but you may consider putting down on paper your costs like others suggested, but also a comparison for them to see in black & white (or color!) what the savings are to work with a VA over hiring an employee.

I have a spreadsheet that I amended from a template on my website of you'd like - I can email you a copy. There are a few cost comparison calculators around that might be worth checking into.

*edit* You may want to check out http://www.virtualassistantforums.co...calculator.php also - under the Tools drop down menu at the top of the forum.

[The Office Virtuoso]

Jenny,
I would remind them that you are a business owner now and you have overhead costs to consider-just as they do. Ask them if they would approach the best lawyer they know and then try to lowball him. If you want quality, you have to be willing to pay for it. Also remind them about your packages. If they want to "lower the price" per hour, they can guarantee a certain number of hours.

Good luck,