How to Become a Home-Based Administrative Assistant

You have reasons to want to work at home—even if it is only because you crave the peace and solitude you will gain. The following is some advice on starting a home-based business in the administrative field.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Take word processing and electronic spreadsheet classes from your local community college if you do not already have the skills. If you do know these programs already, so much the better. You can step right in to do an assignment.
2. Set up your office. A virtual assistant can accomplish many different jobs with little more than what is already on a computer.
3. Decide what your work schedule will be. If you have school-aged children, the hours of 9:00 to 2:30 will work well with occasional evening work as needed.
4. Realize who you will answer to. Will you be working for one company or doing contract work? One company that needs a home-based assistant could keep you busy, but the chances are it would be a part-time job. Advertise your availability when trying to work on contract assignments. Seek referrals from former employers and encourage new business with a classified ad in the newspaper.
5. Surf to online websites that offer virtual assignments and sign up to receive jobs. These are perfect for the home-based administrative assistant.
6. Prove yourself to be invaluable to your clients. If they do not have enough work to keep you busy, they will be able to give a good reference on your work to others, and they will always call you back when they need you. With the Internet in almost every home and office today, you can work for anyone in the country.

Tips & Warnings

• Work instructions and proofreading can easily be done over the Internet or through email without the need for face-to-face visits.
• A good home-based administrative assistant should take all courses she is interested in taking and time will permit. This education will come in handy sooner or later.
• Some organizations can help you to get assignments, but approach these cautiously (see warnings below).
• As with any job where someone works from home, you may be tempted to join organizations or pay fees that will not bring them the results they need. Ask for referrals before joining an organization. Do your homework and check out organizations thoroughly before joining and NEVER pay money to work.
• Don't forget the old rule of having several months' income set aside. If you don't have assignments, you will not have the income.

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