If you’re wondering what it takes to be a successful virtual assistant and you’re not sure what qualities you need, then listen up!
Business owners are looking for VA’s who are problem solvers and solution-finders. They want a VA who can innovate and create new ways to complete tasks and make their lives much easier. And although it’s not easy, it can be done!
VA’s are people of many traits with a TON of skills, but there’s one in particular that every VA needs to have in their tool belt: RESOURCEFULNESS.
This is a topic that is so important to me. It’s a skill that every virtual assistant needs to have and, in my opinion, everyone should work to develop.
So, here are 4 ways to be a resourceful Virtual Assistant:
1. You Do the Research
You research any and every topic. This means you watch ALL the YouTube videos, read ALL the blogs, and listen to ALL the podcasts on the subject you’re trying to learn more about. Maybe you even take a course!
Then, and only then, do you ask someone else to teach you what you just can’t seem to find on your own.
Nothing is more frustrating to a business owner than someone asking them questions they could have easily found just by Googling it. Remember, your client is hiring you so that they have more time to focus on other areas of their business.
Do the research yourself. Your job as a virtual assistant is to help take the stress off of your client by finding solutions to their problems.
Be proactive and use your best judgment. If you feel like you’ve searched the ends of the Earth for an answer, then it’s safe to ask.
2. You Are a Figure-Outer
Don’t know the answer? You figure it out. You figure out why you aren’t qualified for the jobs and do the work to become qualified. Maybe it’s learning a new program, creating a deeper portfolio, or just applying for different jobs while you work on building new skills.
Whatever it is, you’re doing what you can with the time that you have instead of just sitting there waiting for things to happen to you.
DO NOT be that person who gives up applying for jobs because you don’t feel like you have the right qualifications.
Get out there and ask questions.
Find out the things you need to do to apply for those remote jobs, what to do better next time, and keep going.
Success doesn’t happen without failure, my friend! Figuring things out is all part of the process, so don’t be afraid to get out there and make things happen.
You have to be willing to put in the work to get results!
3. You Ask for Feedback
Feedback is one of the best ways to improve quickly. You are the person who follows up with jobs you haven’t heard back from. You ask for feedback when you get turned down. If you don’t see jobs you qualify for, you look somewhere else and make sure your resume highlights your strengths and experience.
Complaining about never hearing back from any jobs or never finding jobs you qualify for, gets you nowhere.
The application process can feel like a full-time job in itself, but it’s something that needs to be done and you just have to do it.
Just because you get turned down doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. Move on to the next. That just means that job wasn’t the one for you.
There’s a reason for everything, and you’ll be SO happy later when you do find that job that is the perfect fit – because it’s out there! You’ll be grateful that the other job turned you away.
We’ve all been there and the trick is to be patient and keep moving forward.
4. You Are Determined to Learn New Things
When you’re unsure how to do something, you’re determined to learn how. A resourceful VA signs up for a course to learn a new skill and dives right in. You attend the lessons, do the homework, and engage in the community. If you don’t understand something, you Google or YouTube it.
As a virtual assistant, you’re constantly learning new things and it’s an important step to help grow your client’s business. You want to instill confidence and reassure your client that you know what you’re doing.
Signing up for a course to learn a new skill, and then never doing the work because it’s “too much” is not the way to go.
Becoming comfortable with stepping out of our comfort zone to learn new things and accept the challenges as they come is a great quality to have.
When a problem comes up, you teach yourself how to fix it. This not only benefits you and your skillset but makes you a valuable asset to your client.
You can bet that there will be a time when you have to teach yourself a new program or learn new software that your client is using. If you are determined to learn as much as you can, you’re already on the path to success!
Resourcefulness is what makes a successful, fully-booked, and sought-after virtual assistant. It’s not always easy, but this is a skill you can learn.
This is why I created 90 Day VA. I help people just like you who want a well-paying job that you love and also gives you the flexibility to travel, be at home with the kids, or even just to work in your pj’s.
I teach everything you possibly need to know about becoming a virtual assistant. The best part? There are business owners out there looking to hire you with these exact skills.
My signature program has trained over 2,700 students! We are opening for enrollment again in October. In the meantime, you can check out my FREE class on how to work online as a VA.
