Hi,

Just wondering what each individual have as a background or experience that they bring to their VA business

I mean some have website building, payroll, accounting, excel etc etc....

What do you feel a "MUST HAVE" experience as a VA?

Did you take any classes online, if so where, how long ??

Just gathering some general information, so any input will be greatly appreciated!

I was an an administrative assistant, payroll assistant, benefits assistant, and hr assistant for over 20 years.

What you "MUST HAVE" is a go-getter attitude to want to learn new things and love what you do. You have to love what you do or you aren't going to be happy and you won't want to keep going...that goes for anything you do.

I've enjoyed working in the administrative area since I started working. My family & friends have always thought I was a little strange because I've always been happy doing what I do.

Just my (IMG:style_emoticons/default/penny.gif)

I have over 25 years experience as an Executive Assistant performing various administrative duties. One skill that I did not have when I started my virtual business was graphic design. I recently purchased Adobe CS4 and this has really opened up a whole of possibilities for me. I also agree that you have to love what you do and be passionate about it.

I had a few years of administrative experience but I had never enjoyed doing typical administrative work. I had always liked writing and editing training manuals and marketing materials, so that's where my focus has been. I have taken several writing classes, and that has helped me a lot. It also helped that I had owned a home business before I became a Virtual Assistant. I ran an in-home preschool when my kids were very small, so through that experience I learned about how to work with clients, the importance of setting boundaries, and ways to keep everyone as happy as possible.

I don't think there is one specific skillset that you need to be a Virtual Assistant. I've learned enough website design to manage a website once it's designed by someone else, and I still get my teenagers to scan documents for me (I call it outsourcing). I also hate fiddling with Word documents and PowerPoints, so I merrily pass those requests along to someone else more qualified when I receive them.

What would I say is the one MUST HAVE?

I think Patty described it perfectly.

I get a little giddy when people ask me if I like what I do. I LOVE it!

My background is as a legal secretary and working for the Health Unit, Victorian Order of Nurses, the School Board and then VP of a computer service company. So tons of administrative experience but wasn't too fond of being a secretary. Decided to study marketing and now am more versed in that area with my business.

Must haves for VAs:

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word & Excel
• Know your way around the internet ie) email, internet research, familiar with new things like Twitter, blogs, etc.
• A website to promote your services
• Administrative background/work experience in the corporate world
• A reliable computer with high speed internet access and good backup system in place.

Ops, I am so sorry everyone! I must have forgotten I posted this questions, and never received updates like I usually do with my others??

Anyway, Thanks for the informative inputs.

I have always had a passion for the administrative part of my work, for some reason I am a problem solver and a paper pusher so to speak....and love it. Call me crazy too, but I feel this is a passion of mine. I just need some more skills, so I am working on them before I get started with anything else. It's a "baby step" progress, but I'll get there too.

Thanks for wonderful input, and it kind of puts my mind at ease knowing skills can be built and aqquired.

Lin