I was thinking about using subcontractors in my business and wanted to know from people who use subs on a daily basics, What type of screening process do you have for your subcontractors and if you use any type of screening software?

TTOYAA

I just saw this...sorry. I use subcontractors myself and I am the lead subcontractor for another VA and supervise/coordinate/whatever you want to call it all her subcontractors.

Personally I only hire subcontractors that I personally know or have worked with. Because of working with this other VA I meet a lot of qualified people and am able to use them in my own practice. I also have some local people that I know and utilize if the project calls for it. My local VAs I haven't worked with them before so I give them smaller projects and the last one actually worked in my house the first few times so I could observe.

I only provide bookkeeping services so that's a little different than some other services that are provided. The VA I work with will sometimes give a subcontractor a test project. She doesn't tell them it's a test just gives them information and has them do it then reviews it. Otherwise I just work closely with them and double check everything at first.

The main thing with hiring subcontractors is to still only offer services you yourself can do. I can't tell you how many times I've had a "great sub" only to have them flake at the last minute with no work completed. That just means late nights for me doing what they were supposed to do. Unfortunately, it happens a lot more often than I thought it would.

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

I too only do sub-contract work.

I work FT outside the home and do VA work PT. Some of the companies I have done small projects to see if we worked well together and others give software tests. I honestly felt better knowing I was doing a trail project to see if I'm a good fit with the VA subcontracting.

Please don't think all subcontractors don't follow through on projects. As a subcontractor it is very important to me to keep the communication up on status of projects. If for some reason, there's a problem letting the VA know right away so it can be resolved is only fair.

Sorry if this sounds stupid, but by sub-contract do you mean that you work for another VA instead of having your own business? If so, how do you go about getting work like this? :huh2:

I am new to the VA world, and while I have been reading and researching starting a VA business, I'm also struggling with taking the plunge of "starting a business." I know that I have the skills to do work like this, but I have never started a business and it seems like such a huge step for me. Maybe working for another VA would help me "get my feet wet" so to speak.

Can you recommend any legitimate websites that hire VAs?

Thanks,
Sandy J.
Louisiana

Sandy,

Yes, you basically work for another VA supporting their clients. Its a great way to get your foot in the door and also to learn best practices from a seasoned VA. There are calls for this type of assistance in this forum (not sure if you have to have a certain amount of posts to see it) and also in other forum that host RFPs, such as the International Virtual Assistant Association (IVAA), but you must be a member of IVAA to see their RFPs

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Tamika R. Johnson, MBA, Principal
administrative partners, llc
www.administrativepartners.net | http://adminpartners.blogspot.com

Tamika,

Thanks for the clarification on sub-contracting. Can I bother you for another clarification? RFPs?? I work for a commercial general contractor and RFPs stand for "Request for Pricing" in the construction world. Is it the same in the VA world?

Maybe working for another VA would help me gain the confidence I need to work in the virtual world and eventually to start my own business. When I first found this forum I was really just looking for something to supplement my current income. I never really thought I could do something like this fulltime, but now.....that is my goal. Guess I'll have to keep looking around in the different sections of this forum to find these opportunities.

Thanks again,
Sandy J.
Louisiana

Originally Posted by VAstResources

Tamika, Thanks for the clarification on sub-contracting. Can I bother you for another clarification? RFPs?? I work for a commercial general contractor and RFPs stand for "Request for Pricing" in the construction world. Is it the same in the VA world?

Yes, this means the same thing

__________________
Kim Beckers
Certified Online Business Manager

Thanks, Kim! I thought it probably was, but just wanted to confirm.

Sandy J.
Louisiana

If interested I can give you my mentors information and you can see it below or PM me. Her program walks you through starting your own VA practice and or subcontracting. I only subcontract and do it just to supplement income. Still not quite ready to take the full plunge. That too is my goal soon.

Just recently I read an article that discussed they look for enthusiam from a sub before experience. How many of you contractors do the same. I thought it was a wonderful tip to bring up to subcontractors. Sometimes I think they get discouraged when they don't have a certain skill set.