Virtual assistants are human resources professionals who work with a hiring manager or other company official in a virtual office. They answer phone calls, interact with customers, and organize events without there being a human being in the building. This is not HR department head or human resources specialist’s job, but rather a broad category of people who work with companies to help run their business operations. They are not regular employees of the company, but rather virtual assistants who are contract employees. Creating and maintaining a healthy professional balance requires balancing the duties of a human resources specialist with a virtual assistant. It can be hard to find people who can both do both and be a virtual assistant. Fortunately, there are many ways to be a virtual assistant while still working at your company. Read How to become a Virtual Assistant.
Table of Contents
Know who you are working with
As with any team member, you will want to make sure you are clear on who you are working with. If you are working with a manager or other high-level employee, it can be hard to remember who you’ve been working with before. Some people get stuck on “old information” and can’t get rid of the memory, even with a fresh start. It’s important to remember that you are just a contractor working for a company. Every company has different operating procedures and policies, and you will likely work in a variety of conditions. It’s easy to get bogged down in the details of an individual company operation and miss the big picture like Amazon. It’s also important to remember that virtual assistants aren’t employees, they are contractors who are hired on a flexible employment basis. Some companies will only hire a virtual assistant when they need someone who can do something else.
Be a good listener
Listen carefully and pay attention to the person you are working with. Be especially mindful of how you reply to questions or requests from your client or customer. If you are not actively listening, it is possible that someone is in the other room, using a walker, or using another communication device. When someone is in the room, you should be able to hear them clearly. When you are actively listening, you should be able to identify what they are saying and know what to think. It is not unusual for managers to have employees who are not actively listening to their team members. This can be a huge issue if you have an effective way to engage and influence an employee. It is also important to remember that many employees find it helpful to have a virtual assistant around when working with a manager.
Responsible for your company reputation
As a virtual assistant, you are not an employee, but a contractor working for your company. You are responsible for your employer’s reputation, both within your industry and with others in your industry. It is critical that you maintain company standards while doing so. It is critical that you maintain company standards while doing so. It is even more critical that you do so while maintaining your job. You can never be too careful. If you are not willing to take those extra steps to maintain company standards, then no one will.
Be an active listener
As with all team members, you will want to make sure you are clear on who you are working with. If you are not actively listening, it is possible that someone is in the other room, using a walker, or other communication devices. When someone is in the room, you should be able to hear them clearly. When you are actively listening, you should be able to identify what they are saying and know what to think. It is not unusual for managers to have employees who are not actively listening to their team members. This can be a huge issue if you have an effective way to engage and influence an employee. It is also important to remember that many employees find it helpful to have a virtual assistant around when working with a manager.
Be an individualizer
As with all team members, you will want to make sure you are clear on who you are working with. If you are not clear about who you are working with, then it can lead to problems. The best way around this ethical dilemma is to say “no” when you know you must. “I can’t do that.” “I’m sorry, but I have to do that.” This is not an easy thing to do. But when you say “no” in the middle of a project or when you are writing a contract, it is excuses and lazy writing. You can still be a valuable member of the team and be successful. Make sure you are clear with your employer and with yourself before making a big decision.
Lead by example
As with any team member, you will want to make sure you are clear on who you are working with. If you are not clear, it can lead to problems. The best way around this ethical dilemma is to say “no” when you know you must. “I can’t do that.” “I’m sorry, but I have to do that.” This is not an easy thing to do. But when you say “no” in the middle of a project or when you are writing a contract, it is excuses and lazy writing. You can still be a valuable member of the team and be successful. Make sure you are clear with your employer and with yourself before making a big decision.
Conclusion
Virtual assistants are people who work with companies to help run their businesses. They answer phone calls, interact with customers, and organize events without being in the building. This is not HR department head or human resources specialist’s job, but a group of people who help run a company. They are not regular employees of the company, but rather virtual assistants who are contract employees. Creating and maintaining a healthy professional balance requires balancing the duties of a human resources specialist with a virtual assistant. It can be hard to find people who can both do both and be a virtual assistant. Fortunately, there are many ways to be a virtual assistant while still working at your company.
