Gwenn Doria is a 10-year veteran in the work-from-home industry. She shares her five easy steps on how you can kick-start your career as a virtual assistant.

My journey to becoming a virtual assistant started in 2009. Back then, I was a mother of two and a wife of an overseas Filipino worker. I was struggling to juggle my life as a mother and as a corporate employee. So, learning about the opportunity to work from home came as a blessing.

I started working from home as a subcontractor taking on a virtual communications manager role for small business based in Australia.

I was fortunate to start my journey with almost no struggle because I was recruited by a trusted friend’s sister. Plus, the agency I worked for is an established company.

But I understand how most women would find it challenging to kick-start their virtual assistant career. As a 10-year veteran in the work-from-home industry, let me share with you five easy steps to become a virtual assistant if you’re a newbie.

Have The Right Mindset

Our mindset can either cripple us or empower us. Let it always be the latter. Have an open mind and understand that working from home has its own challenges and rewards. For example, you may not have employee benefits as a virtual assistant but on the other hand, you will have more time with your children while still earning a decent amount of money. In fact, if you dedicate yourself to being a virtual assistant, you can save for your own retirement and even earn more than what you can ever earn in a corporate job.

Know The Basics

Learn about what it takes to become a virtual assistant. Find the answer to the following questions:

• What is a virtual assistant?
• What do virtual assistants do?
• What are the tools and skills needed to become a virtual assistant?
• How much do virtual assistants earn and how do they get paid?
• Who hires virtual assistants?
• Where do virtual assistants get clients to hire them?

Do A Self-Assessment

After learning about what it takes to become a virtual assistant, do a self-assessment. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. In identifying your strengths, you’ll be able to know what you can offer and have the confidence in knowing that you really are good at a certain task. In knowing your weaknesses, you’ll be able to choose projects that genuinely interest you and suit your skills.

Just Do It

Look for a training program, like ConnectedWomen’s ELEVATE. Start your virtual assistant career and get clients. Here are some tips to get clients fast:

• Beef up your LinkedIn profile and highlight your solid skills and experience.
• Set up a profile on the Connected Women Jobs website or similar platforms.
• Join Facebook groups and look for job postings.
• Practice due diligence when applying for jobs.
• Connect with like-minded individuals who can guide you or be with you in your virtual assistant journey.

Continue Learning And Improving

Never stop learning. In order to thrive in this industry, you have to be constantly improving yourself not just in terms of skills but also in your ability to manage your time productively. Also, do not be afraid to make mistakes. Just be sure to be accountable for your mistakes and learn from them.

My life has changed a lot since I started working as a virtual assistant. It has given me the freedom to break free from the struggles of corporate life and financial worries. As an individual, I have proven to myself that with commitment follows providence. This is something I would like newbies in this industry to keep in mind. Decide to commit, do it, and everything will fall into place.