I have tried responding to classified job ads without much success. No matter how much I emphasized virtual, from my home office, etc - they seemed to skip right over it.

If you get a positive response let us know how you did it I would be very interested.

Good luck - let us know how it goes.

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Cindy
www.eoseasy.comThe Chrysalis Plan

I have a professional profile which I attach to any help wanted ads or rfps I respond to. I recommend always having your professional profile on hand, with a short bio and summary of your skills, and referring to it as that. These are one of my most popular products. I can do resumes but I prefer to do profiles where marketing professionals. A resume is a summary of your academic and work history, but a professional profile is a summary of your professional skills, technical capabilities and so much more. Resumes tell someone you want work, a professional profile tells someone you have the talent to help them.

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Virtually yours,
www.nzvas.com

So, how would you format a professional profile? Why do you think it's better for use with help wanted ads? And, do you find that people who are still posting in newspaper help wanted ads are open to more forward thinking approaches about how to structure a job? i.e. using a VA instead of someone who comes into the office.

I agree thanks for the post because I had be pondering this myself. So I'm going to give it a try when I see posting that might benefit from a VA.

Good idea for business development. I am with Karen. I would like to know how you format a professional profile.

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Anjanette
Precise Assistance

I don't respond to ads but they and newspapers are very helpful to me. They let me know who or what industry is hiring, which in turn tells me how well my local market/economy is doing. I find that they trigger names and marketing ideas, this morning three names were written down on my notepad.

Firstly, there was an ad for power skate lessons, the lessons will be at a facility which is named after a businessman I know. I wrote his name down and although we have not spoken in a while it is always a good idea to stay in touch with people who are "well connected". I will be writing him an e-mail today.

The second name came from a news article regarding recipients of the Order of Canada, turns I know one. We were involved with the same event and we have not been in touch for a few months, so another lead.

Third name was the gal who introduced me to the second fellow. Again another lead. You just have to keep your thinking (like a small business) hat on all the time.

Just a little food for thought.

Cheers!!

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Bernice
Energy Virtual Assistant

I have a friend who runs a nanny business and gets nearly all her business using the classifieds, she will either call or email her pitch. I think its a great idea and if it can work for her why not for us VA's! Good Luck Ndlandis :-)

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Kelly George

I never thought to reply to actual classified ads, I was considering applying for jobs advertised online, but why not those offline as well! Just another great way to market yourself. Thanks for the great advice everyone!

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~ Gloria
http://www.uptimevirtualassistants.co m

I have tried this also, and have infact just received my 1st large job from it. i just reply to the add with both my resume and a brief info page on what i offer.

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Sheila Reithmayer
TSR Solutions

Our paper is down to Virtually(pun) no help wanteds. I check for Free Classifieds and post in the Small Business, Services or Search jobs Administrative/Clerk that I feel they could hire out the work. I am hoping I found a good free site today and will share once I see how legitimate offers come in.

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Born Free Concierge
Robert & Kathy Neubauer