Because Virtual Assistants are a relatively new concept to many people with this industry being so young, there are a lot of challenges we face on a pretty regular basis. Let me share a story with you.
I attended a small tradeshow about a year ago which was sponsored by a local business women’s group. I was walking around doing the networking thing when I noticed there was a VA exhibiting. I thought that was very interesting because at that time, I thought I was the only Virtual Assistant in my province. I was looking at her booth waiting to chat with her and couldn’t help but overhear the conversation she was having with another booth visitor. I heard the lady ask her what she did and she went on to tell her that she was a Virtual Assistant.
I had a belly full of fire when I heard this lady practically ‘guffaw’ in disgust:
“I’ve worked with a Virtual Assistant before and I will never do that again!”
The poor VA was in a state of shock and didn’t know what to say. I was very surprised and disappointed that someone could make such an assumption; one bad experience can turn you off of an entire industry??? What kind of thinking is that?
I’m sure if I had a plumbing issue and hired someone who didn’t do a great job I certainly wouldn’t rule out ever hiring a plumber again. Is it because when some people hire a VA it’s after just learning about the industry and they could be a little skeptical right from the beginning?
I wonder what kind of an experience that woman had that could have made her say such a thing. And since hearing that, I’ve heard the same thing over and over. People who have had a nightmare experience with a VA and going on to swear us all off forever.
Have you been in a situation where you have heard someone say you shouldn’t hire a VA because of a bad experience they had? Have you had a poor experience yourself and don’t ever want to work with a VA again?
Please keep in mind that no two VAs are alike! You could have a nightmare situation on your hands with one person and find a lifesaver in the next VA on your list of names.
It’s not fair to assume that because one person had a bad experience with aVA that you wouldn’t have a great experience with the same one. Our personalities are not all suited for each other.
Please don’t discount our field because of a few bad apples. It’s simply not fair and you are doing yourself a great disservice.
Great post Jaime! Over the many years I’ve dealt with clients, it is not unheard of to hear them say they had a bad “VA experience”. Personally, that way I dealt with that was re-education about our industry with the client to help give them the assurance and trust to give us another try 😉 The bad experiences don’t always stem from poor service either. Sometimes it ends up just being a conflict of personalities too. Make sure you always interview the VA you are going to work with thoroughly and concisely and this will resolve many problems down the road. There are good apples and rotten apples in every orchard. It’s just a matter of time and you will find the perfect VA for you.