I have an interview coming up with a VA business owner to be a subcontractor. Since I haven't interviewed with a company for at least ten years, let alone in a VA-type setting, I have a few questions. Yes, this VA owner is aware that I am new to the VA business.

What questions are typically asked of the "interviewee" in an interview? I completed an application with my experience.

Since I have only done one project for another VA, and there was no interview to it , what questions would be good for me to ask? I already know rate of pay and some other information.

Thank you! I am so excited about this opportunity and don't want to blow it.

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Starting a new business venture is exciting and your excitement (and nervousness) is bouncing off the post!

First things first. Re-train your brain. Instead of interview, think of your appointment as a business consultation. Get out of the employee mindset and into the business owner one. That, in and of itself, may decrease your nerves just a bit.

Generally, the questions they may ask of you are ones someone would ask most service providers. What services do you offer? How long have you been in business? Have you ever done sub-contracting work before? And so on.

Here are some questions that you might want to ask them:

What are their needs?
What do they do?
Expectations on both parties part
Discuss your payment policies, procedures, methods of communication, etc.

In addition since you are going to be a subcontractor, you might want to ask whether you will be working directly with clients?
Discuss Service agreements -- yours , as well as, ask if they have a non-compete disclosure they require you to sign.

I am sure others will chime in with their thoughts. Remember, consultation, not interview

Good luck!

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

Jules,

I agree with Darlene - especially the part about changing your mind-set. You are your own boss - not an employee for anyone. It's not always easy to make that switch when you've worked in an employer/employee relationship. Once you do, you totally start thinking in a different frame of mind.

Remember during this consultation - you need to know what they want and expect - but you also need to let them know what your needs are (agreements, timely payment, clear instructions, etc.)

Good luck! Let us know how it went.

Carol

Originally Posted by D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance

Starting a new business venture is exciting and your excitement (and nervousness) is bouncing off the post!

LOL - I am more excited than nervous; with a few jitters mixed in. From our correspondence, she seems really nice and even gave me another lead. I am finding the VA community at large to be very, very helpful. What a wonderful profession and the folks that do this!

Quote:

Good luck!

Thank you! I'll just be myself...although that could be a scary thought.

Great info, Darlene! She does clearly state in the application the interview process she does for new subs (which I totally "get" the reason for; and agree with), so I will look at it as an interview, but in a different way because I am also a business owner, too. It's not an employee situation in that "interview" sense of the word. :cool:

I'm putting this in my OneNote file!

Thank you so much,

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Jules,

I agree with Darlene and Carol on all points. This is a business consultation and not an interview so it is more or less about the policies and procedures, work to be done and whether you will be a good fit with one another.

Good luck to you!

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Originally Posted by CJ's Virtual Business Solution

Jules, I agree with Darlene - especially the part about changing your mind-set. You are your own boss - not an employee for anyone. It's not always easy to make that switch when you've worked in an employer/employee relationship. Once you do, you totally start thinking in a different frame of mind.

Yup, Carol, I've got that straight in my mind. It's not an employee relationship, and there are deadlines to be met, and our behinds are on the line. If she doesn't look good, neither do I, and I never want that to happen!

Quote:

Remember during this consultation - you need to know what they want and expect - but you also need to let them know what your needs are (agreements, timely payment, clear instructions, etc.)

She actually went through things pretty thoroughly in the app and included the subcontractor agreement. 'Instructions' is on my list now (thank you!).

Quote:

Good luck! Let us know how it went. Carol

Oh yes, I certainly will! And thank you for the 'luck'!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Originally Posted by leedrozak

Jules, I agree with Darlene and Carol on all points. This is a business consultation and not an interview so it is more or less about the policies and procedures, work to be done and whether you will be a good fit with one another. Good luck to you!

Oh! Being a good fit! That is great; I had forgotten about that. I'll also be sure to find out about policies and procedures...some of the "nuts 'n bolts."

Thank you, Lee,

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Hey gals,

I probably made it as clear as mud, so I just want y'all to know that I do get that it is a consultation (a meeting for discussion) and not an interview (questions asked by the interviewer to get information from the interviewee).

I just wanted to clarify.

Off to feed my furry kids! Yum, raw chicken!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

The consultation was today! I think it went really well, and I truly enjoyed it. I thought I would be really nervous, but I was only a wee bit instead. I think what helped was that this woman is super easy to talk with and I did my research before hand by going through her website and taking notes to "get to know her and her business" better.

SO...she sent me a contract to be signed and returned, and when work is available she is going to put me to work!! She had also given me a lead for another subcontracting position with another VA company. I had emailed this company and was wondering when I would hear back. Turns out, this second gal had called the gal I talked to today to verify that I was okay to contact. Very neat and humorous conversation we had. Bottom line, this other VA is going to contact me, too!! I can't wait!!

I had to laugh, because I decided instead of emailing the contract back with my signature on it, I would fax it to her as her assistant directed me to do (I also wanted to follow directions!). So...I got PamFax working and faxed over the contract. Duh. The darn PamFax only sent the "first page free" (the cover sheet), instead of the whole fax (but I was charged for the whole fax [I had used the back button because I realized only the cover sheet was going to go - but it happened anyway...grrrr...need to have a talk with "Pam"]). I got a kind email telling me that she "kind of" got the fax, LOL. Second time I was taking no chances: faxed again AND sent an email with it attached.

All-in-all it went really well and I am a doing a Very, very nice woman with a sense of humor, and I'm not just saying that because she might see this post sometime; I truly mean it.

Thank you all for helping to calm my nervous excitement!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Originally Posted by D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance

Starting a new business venture is exciting and your excitement (and nervousness) is bouncing off the post! First things first. Re-train your brain. Instead of interview, think of your appointment as a business consultation. Get out of the employee mindset and into the business owner one. That, in and of itself, may decrease your nerves just a bit. Generally, the questions they may ask of you are ones someone would ask most service providers. What services do you offer? How long have you been in business? Have you ever done sub-contracting work before? And so on. Here are some questions that you might want to ask them: What are their needs? What do they do? Expectations on both parties part Discuss your payment policies, procedures, methods of communication, etc. In addition since you are going to be a subcontractor, you might want to ask whether you will be working directly with clients? Discuss Service agreements -- yours , as well as, ask if they have a non-compete disclosure they require you to sign. I am sure others will chime in with their thoughts. Remember, consultation, not interview Good luck!

Darlene, that was a wonderful perspective that you placed!


Jules, You'll do great. Just take Darlene's advice and you will be wonderful. Best of luck to you!!!

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Winston Stewart
PennWin Administrative Services