by La Rizza Victoria | WIN Virtual Solutions | Sept. 22,2020
What is a Freelance Virtual Assistant? How does it differ from a hired employee by a certain company? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a freelancer? Is there a place for "newbies" like me to even get hired? With these things to consider, why did I fall in love with it?
First of all, I'd like to share a little about my background. I am a BS-CSIT college graduate, whom after graduation became a full-time musician. Yes, I know... MUSIC RUNS IN THE FAMILY. From singing in hotels, to casinos in Philippines, until I landed a job as a singer of a band in MS-ASUKA II, a Japanese cruise ship based in Yokohama, Japan for eight long years. This year I decided to take a break and came here to Japan as a tourist, and out of the blue, everything turned upside down because of this pandemic.
What to do? Stuck in Japan, no work to return to because the pandemic hit the entertainment industry real hard.. I did my fair share of research and apparently, I have to really go back to Philippines before I can apply to any call-center openings. And then like magic, I learned about FREELANCE VIRTUAL ASSISTANCE! From reading countless threads on different Facebook groups, I also learned about Filipino Virtual Assistance (FVA) by FVA Business Consultancy, the leading online academy for freelancers in Philippines and in different part of the world!
WHAT IS A FREELANCE VIRTUAL ASSISTANT?
Let's define these three words individually:
Freelance - Can work independently, not tied up to any company or employer
Virtual Assistant- Someone who provides assistance but working remotely, not existing in the
same physical location of their client
Mix these three words and the magic begins! No need to be tied up in any demographic. As long as you have laptop/computer and an internet , you're all set!
How Does It Differ From Being An Employee?
I can go on and on but I just want to give my top three:
I can work independently at the comfort of my home.
No stressful traffic to face everyday.
As long as it doesn't compromise the quality of my job and my time allows it, I can have multiple jobs! The learning never ends!
Cons of the Freelancing World:
Of course, like Yin and Yang, Freelancing has its downsides.. who and what doesn't?!
Most of the time, no benefits. We have to "self-contribute" to SSS, Pag-ibig, tax, etc
So many scammers! So Beware!
It is very unstable. There are clients whom freelancers call "The One", yet there are clients who just suddenly finishes the contract .
It is solely dependent to having a stable internet.
The competition is very high , not just among Filipinos but with other nationalities from all over the world
With those being said,
WHY AM I SOOOOO IN LOVE WITH THIS SO-CALLED FREELANCING WORLD?
Simple answer:
I AM FREE AND THE LEARNING CURVE IS ENDLESS!!!
(I just also pray that my internet doesn't encounter any problem hehehe)
Yes I know, the competition is sky high. But success was never just handed to someone on a golden platter right? We work hard for it. It's the do or die attitude that separates the successful Freelance Virtual Assistant from the rest.
I am a newbie. I've had my share of rejections, sleepless nights because of lining up on interviews at 2-3am just to wake up with an e-mail saying I did not have the qualifications to pass.
BUT I DID NOT STOP. I just passed my resume non-stop everyday, and when I saw the opportunity to learn from the best, I took it! FVA last July had their Anniversary promo and I took three courses which are Freelancing Course, REVA Course and SMM Course. (lo and behold I got hired even before our class started!)
I had that do or die attitude which I call "Hanggang makulitan ang langit". I wont stop till I get what I want, and that is to get a client, which I did! I just want to share this passion of mine that fills my heart everyday. In the freelancing world, possibilities are ENDLESS as long as we never stop honing our skills.
So do you want to be a Freelance Virtual Assistant like me? Learn from the best, and who else to recommend ,but FVA - Filipino Virtual Assistance. Fall in love like me!
(oh by the way, my coach is Coach Grace ). Goodluck!!!