How I Spent My First Christmas as a Virtual Assistant

November 1, 2012, I got hired as part-time Virtual Assistant.

December 1 – 28 2012, I found myself in the middle of a month-long Christmas sale launched by my client!

You can just imagine my excitement!

Days before the actual launch, me and my teammates were brushing up on marketing and copywriting.  It was indeed a crash course… there were hits and misses!  Good that we have a client who tells us to FAIL FORWARD and focus on the lessons.

Of course, we want the Christmas launch to be perfect and reach our target!  The project ended on the third week of December and we got great news:  We Reached Our GOAL!

It was indeed a MERRY AND EXCITING CHRISTMAS FOR ME!  I feel so blessed to be working with a great team!

Being busy with the project left me no time to feel sad on my last days as a government employee!  I’ll be forever thankful for the great moments and lasting friendships with my officemates!

Here’s your Positively Awesome Virtual Assistant after the end of the Christmas Project….

 

May you enjoy a meaningful and exciting holiday season!

 

Founder

http://www.PositivelyAwesomeVirtualAssistant.wordpress.com

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6 Valuable Tips From My Mastermind Group That Led Me To My Dream Gig

You’re hired!

This was the first line written by my employer.  I was so super excited to learn that finally, I got the job!

But that was getting ahead of my story…

I’ve been applying for gigs left and right since I had a goal:  To resign from my day job in 2013.

I spent the whole month of October applying for a job at Odesk, Elance, craigslist, onlinejobs. pH etc.  I immediately consumed the credits given to be able to apply for a job.

I applied for many gigs… and I got rejection slips.

I was rejected because my bid was too high or the gig was awarded to another applicant or I got no response.  This has been going on for 30 days, so you can just imagine the feeling.  After 2 weeks of rejection, I began to entertain doubts and started to ask myself if I am on the right track.

I pushed away self doubts and implemented the following new strategies:

• Changed my positioning (from a Powerpoint expert to online team strategist),
• Improved my cover letters (I made it more human and personal),
• Improved my profile
• Became selective of the gigs that I am applying for

Rejection notices continued.  Is it because of my age that I’m finding it hard to get a gig?  I took a break from the application process.  I was crushed!

Call it great timing that I had my one-on-one session with Jomar Hilario.  I am a member of his Inner Circle Mastermind.

I was at Rosewood at 9:00 AM and I was joined by Arnel Bolda, the winner of my FB contest.  (As part of the assignment, I ran a contest in Rafflecopter and the prize winner will join me on my one on one session)

From Jomar Hilario, I learned the following:

• I have to be more specific in marketing my skills, I created different resumes highlighting specific and related skills (example:  website creation + content management)
• I needed to stand out and go beyond just a PowerPoint expert.  I have many (and better) competitors in that area.
• I have to reflect on my strengths and skills and market these.
• I had to draw from my previous experiences.
• More importantly, he advised me to apply directly to the book authors and internet marketers whom I admire.

thanks Rina for this nice picture!

 

 

From my mastermind friends, they reminded me that applying for a gig is just a numbers game.

Wise words from an expert VA in our group.  At that time, I have just sent 50++ applications.  One hundred is just an arbitrary number but it reminded me to practice patience.  In my desire to immediately land a gig and to be in control, I was putting too much pressure that I forgot to enjoy and trust the process.

It’s just like sales and real estate. Rejection is a part of the game.  When one says “No”, I say “Next!” Applying this in real estate, I needed to look at 100 properties, visit 20, to be able to buy 1 property.  This was an AHA moment for me.  Patience, Jones, patience.

Upon reaching home, I opened my laptop, went straight to Elance and started applying for gigs again.  I also sent an application letter to an internet marketer offering my services.

On the following day, I got the email:  You’re hired!

I started working with my new client on a part-time basis on November 1, 2012.

My statistics:  I applied for 85 gigs before I finally landed on my DREAM GIG!  I can tell you, it’s worth the wait!

Have a Positively Awesome Day,

JONES