Finding a VA - too much work?

[mgkimsal]

Wow - I didn't think it would be this hard, but perhaps starting on a weekend was not a good choice. People have lives???

I've contacted 9 people, some outside the US, and some in the US, in the past 30 hours and have yet to receive a reply from *anyone* yet. No, I tell a lie. Jake from firstpagewebsearch did reply (thanks Jake!) but I think my needs might be a bit more complex than what they're set up to do.

I've got a small amount of work right now - probably only 4-5 hours at the moment - and I've probably spent close to that amount of time looking up various options, reading profiles and such. I could have just done the work myself in that amount of time, but I wanted to try to find someone to start a part time relationship with, and these projects would be good 'starter' projects to make sure we're compatible.

Did anyone else have this much trouble finding a VA?

Edit: I just tried one more right before I posted this and I got a reply from that person in 10 minutes. *That* was impressive, and merits some initial points for him.

[jedz]

Hi,

Let me know if you're still in need. We have available staff who can definitely help you out.

Hope to hear from you.

[BIG Mike]

I’ve been searching for a VA too – someone full-time. The person I hire will need a lot of training and would have access to a lot of confidential information.

And then, in one of those DuH moments, I realized I would be better off hiring someone locally, to work out of his or her home because:

1. I can train them one-on-one in person.
2. I can meet with them regularly in person.
3. I can have them sign an NDA and be able to enforce it.
4. I can work closely with him or her in my time-zone.
5. I can provide a stable job for someone locally.

I’ve got several candidates to interview this week already

[metaphors]

When I get to that point I'll go that route too besides with craigslist or kijiji (or whatever other means you want to use) you could get a large number of prospects in a very short period of time and weed through them from there. Another advantages is that your Candidates will most likely be native english speakers


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Originally Posted by BIG Mike

I’ve been searching for a VA too – someone full-time. The person I hire will need a lot of training and would have access to a lot of confidential information.

And then, in one of those DuH moments, I realized I would be better off hiring someone locally, to work out of his or her home because:

1. I can train them one-on-one in person.
2. I can meet with them regularly in person.
3. I can have them sign an NDA and be able to enforce it.
4. I can work closely with him or her in my time-zone.
5. I can provide a stable job for someone locally.

I’ve got several candidates to interview this week already

[lynzki]

We offer virtual assistant services at timetooutsource.com. We have reliable and affordable va's at the moment. I hope this helps.

[Ralf Skirr]

You're experience is quite normal.

It's true for any job, not only for VA - to find good people you have to search a while.

I've got a small amount of work right now - probably only 4-5 hours at the moment - and I've probably spent close to that amount of time looking up various options, reading profiles and such

The goal is to find someone who works with you long term. That way it does not matter much that you spend more hours in the beginning.

[Andy Fletcher]

I've just started using oDesk in the last week and it's excellent. I've found people to do all kinds of work and my productivity has sky rocketed.

Andy

[robinpike]

I have been doing VA work for the past three years. Feel free to check out my website at virtuallyrobin.info.

I am currently looking for two new clients to work with. I prefer finding clients to work with on a long term basis but will also take short term jobs currently. Also, I will give a discount to those coming from the WF.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[rashamba]

I think it is John Jonas (no relation who has outsourcemyself.com Pretty good stuff. He focuses on the Philipines and has a course devoted to it.