ré·su·mé n.

“A brief account of one’s professional or work experience and qualifications, often submitted with an employment application”.

One of the biggest things I see from new VAs is their need to hang onto their ‘resume’. And yes, especially when you start a business, it can be hard for a Virtual Assistant to see their relationship with clients as something other than an employee/employer partnership. This also goes for clients asking a VA for their ‘resume’ as they also have the employer mentality.

This is simply because in the past, it was the only way it was done. No one ever hired another business owner to do their admin. You hired a secretary. I mean goodness – wouldn’t it be INSANE to let another business owner see your back end….

The lines get a little blurrier these days when we look at how much broader the term ‘Virtual Assistant’ has become. It’s gone from secretarial to all types of business support services. The main criteria being that the service is for businesses, and it’s done off-site. So now there are VAs who could just as accurately refer to themselves as Bookkeepers, Web developers, Writers, Consultants or Graphic Designers.

It generally feels a little stranger to ask your bookkeeper or accountant for their resume – after all, you’re not employing them, you’re asking them to provide you with a service. But you would definitely be wise to seek some testimonials and find out what their qualifications are. Websites, brochures and of course, word of mouth are great for these.

A VA, in this sense, is no different.

If you are wanting to work with a VA and you want to see a resume, I personally believe you are setting up a false relationship. And the VAs that respond with a resume, may not have the right mindset to support you in the most appropriate way.

Stay with me.

You go to someone and say you need to see their resume. In your mind you want someone who:

  • Is under you
  • Can take direction and be there for you when you need them
  • Accepts the rate that you set

Yet when you find someone who is ok with that, you may find that they are still in the employee mindset and you discover:

  • They aren’t confident enough to provide you with guidance and ideas that will grow your business
  • They aren’t ready to take full responsibility for theirs or your business and
  • They rely on you to keep them going

…And if you are paying a low rate, why shouldn’t they?

New VAs need time to learn how to run a business – I don’t question that. But they shouldn’t do it by holding onto the employee mindset.

VAs are service providers. They are self-employed and that means:

  • They run their own business
  • They have to learn business well to survive
  • They have to bring more money in than goes out
  • They can’t put all their eggs in one basket
  • They are responsible for their growth, which is usually as a result of YOUR growth.

– Just like an accountant, a designer, a lawyer or a plumber.

For you, this also means

  • You can use their services as you need them
  • You are not responsible for putting food on their table
  • You don’t pay super, annual leave, WorkCover, sick leave or for time not used
  • You can plan and budget better
  • They will always be on top of the latest tools and resources – and not at your expense

– Just like an accountant, a designer, a lawyer or a plumber, although in this case you also get a sidekick who ‘gets’ business and is invested in your success.

So in summary – a resume is all very nice, but it sets up the mindset and intent of the relationship.