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As a Virtual Assistant, you have the opportunity to work from the comfort of your own home. You also have the option of being an employee of a company or starting your own Virtual Assistant business and contracting out your services (onboarding clients). Both of these options have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is crucial that you go down the path that suits your needs. So, what is the difference between an employee and a contractor?
Coming on as an employee of a company as a Virtual Assistant would be similar to every other position, but rather than coming into an office, you would be completing your work from home. Applying for a position would include sending a resume and cover letter and meeting virtually for an interview with the hiring company (for tips on acing your job application click here). As an employee, you would adhere the hours and deadlines given to you by your employer, be on the company’s payroll as an employee and be required to follow the company’s policies and procedures. Research the companies that you are considering, ensuring that they are the right fit for you and that you are the right fit for them.
Your other option as a Virtual Assistant is to start your own business as an independent contractor. As an independent contractor, you set up your own business and contract out your services. Starting out can require some upfront costs but can have a more significant payout in the long-run. You will need to:
As an entrepreneur, you will also be responsible for creating a pricing chart and invoicing your clients. It is vital that you assess your “worth”; be sure not to undervalue yourself! You have the opportunity to work for more than one company, you can use instead onboard various organizations as clients and find what industry works best for you. The flexibility of hours is another excellent benefit of being a contractor. Most often, you can choose which hours you work on a specific project, for example, if you want to work at 2 am when your children are sleeping, feel free!
The most important thing is to find what works best for you! You might start out as a contractor and later decide that you would work better as a full-time employee of a company. Do your research and make a decision that suits you!
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Robert was born in Midland, Ontario on January 11, 1953 and passed away in Nanaimo on November 20, 2009. Robert was the youngest of three. I was the oldest, Doug was the middle child. Our mother and father were divorced when we were very young. Our mother remarried a man who had three sons and then another girl and another boy was born. So there was eight of us altogether. Robert moved to Toronto, Ontario after high school and worked in various jobs there. He then moved to Edmonton, Alberta in 1976 and on to British Columbia in 1977. He lived in Vancouver, Victoria, and finally resided in Nanaimo. Robert had a great sense of determination and optimism. The more he could learn, the happier he was. He continued his education in B.C. at Simon Fraser University. He also took courses in the culinary field and worked as a chef for many years. He also studied law and worked as a paralegal. He studied religions and languages (he could speak many languages) and took many computer courses. He took a Medical Terminology Course, and Emergency First Aid which included CPR.
Unfortunately, Robert's health was never great. He was born a "Blue Baby" and not expected to live. He lived with the HIV virus and with cancer. This was a big factor in his determination to be able to work at home and was why he was taking the Medical Transcription course. Robert was involved with various charitable organizations for many, many years. He cooked numerous meals at food kitchens for the homeless, especially at Christmas and other holidays. He spent time at various senior centers, volunteering, and visiting the residents there. He was an active volunteer at the Nanaimo Parole Citizen Advisory Committee and one of the outstanding jobs he completed for them was their Committee By-laws.
I am very proud of the things that my brother achieved in his lifetime. I have received so many letters, calls and cards since his passing, all of them telling me how much he was liked and how much he will be missed. Robert spent most of his time helping others. I'm attaching a couple of pictures, one when he was very young. If there is any other information you need, please let me know. Thank you again for setting up this scholarship. It means so much to me that his name will carry on. And I know he would be extremely pleased that his name was helping others. That was his number one goal in his life - to help others.
By submitting this form, you are giving your express written consent for CanScribe Career College to contact you regarding our programs via email, telephone, and/or text. You may withdraw your consent at any time.