Home based secretaries are similar to Virtual Assistants.

 

Virtual Assistant offer several services such as Articles, Typing, Copy Typing, Correspondence, Data Input, Desk Top Publishing, Diary Management, Email, Newsletters, Office Management, Proof Reading, Research and Secretarial Services.

 

Home based secretaries are limited to provide the services such as Correspondence, Typing, Diary management, E-mail and other Secretarial Services.

 

Even though Home based Secretaries and Virtual Assistants perform similar tasks, the Virtual Assistant takes the job one step further to provide other specialized services and is not limited to the secretarial function only. However, globally most home based secretaries are referred to as Virtual Assistants.

 

Home based secretaries will have some competition with Virtual Assistants as managers hire only the well qualified.

 

If you have been a secretary all your life in an office based environment and due to unforeseen reasons you have to give up your job, there is always the possibility of providing your services from home as a home based secretary.

 

Firstly, in order be a recognized and sought after work from home secretary you need to become a Certified Home Based Secretary. This can be obtained from the National Association of Home based Secretaries. With this you can be sure that employers and clients will be confident that you have what it takes to commit to their business and provide them with a quality service.

 

There are many advantages of being a home based secretary as opposed to an office secretary. They are:

 

Flexibility to work

There is more time to spend with your family, especially if you have young children

You don’t need to pay any taxes

Minimize on fuel costs as you don’t have to travel to and from work

You enjoy what you are doing especially since you work from a home environment

Work without interruption

Time management, you can juggle your home as well as a Career

You set the pay

Have long term working relationship similar to an office

Job security, employers don’t like to switch their secretaries. They are more than happy that you are with them on the long term

FAQ’s by a home based secretary

 

What qualifications and experience should I have?

 

You should have basic typing and language skills. You can acquire other qualifications such as accounting and bookkeeping as you go along. There are certain instances where you will get hands on training.

 

What equipment do I need?

You will need to have your own equipment such as a computer with the basic software packages including MS Office, printer, fax, internet and email. A scanner and second hand photocopier will be an added advantage.

How do I get work?

The best way would be advertise or market yourself online; you could also register with an agency. Some agencies charge a registration fee but they will guarantee a placement sooner or later
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How much will I get paid?

Payment will depend on the work that you will undertake. There is no guarantee that all employers will pay the same rate. When quoting rates make sure you quote your fee in par with the industry standards.

How should I expect payment?

Have a policy where your payment will be directly credited to your bank account.
Whether you do it by yourself or employ a few other people, a home based secretarial business is very satisfying and lucrative.