Should You Be A Personal Assistant Or A Virtual Assistant?

By Michael Jarrett

There are many similarities between a personal assistant and a virtual assistant. Which one is the right choice for you? Sometimes it is your personality that helps to make the decision for you. Let's see if we can figure this out together.

The main thing that personal and virtual assistants have in common is their knowledge of office and clerical duties as well as an understanding of everyday business practices. They also both have the ability to perform various tasks at the same time.

Both of these types of workers will be trained to use the same office equipment such as computer, multi line phone system, fax machine, copier, and printer. Both will offer services such as website maintenance and design, marketing, data entry, advertising, research, customer service, secretarial services and many more.

So where do the similarities end? Let's take a look at the virtual assistant first. The VA has the freedom to perform his or her duties from any location that is convenient for them. Of course most work from home, but they are able to do the work anywhere they have access to all the necessary equipment.

The VA does not have to deal with their clients' in person nor their clients' business associates, friends, or family. They are not bound by someone else’s schedule and they can do their job at home in their PJ's or in the buff if they choose to! These freedoms are perhaps why some prefer to be a virtual assistant rather than a personal assistant.

The personal assistant, while performing many of the same duties as a VA, is often required to be actively involved in their clients' business. They may also be asked to perform more personal tasks such as picking up the dry cleaning, walking the dog, buying gifts, bill paying, and maybe even grocery shopping.

The PA most always has to do their job wherever their client needs them, whether it is at their place of business or the clients' home. The PA also must usually adhere to the clients' schedule rather than their own. There are some circumstances in which the PA could perform their duties from their own home but that would be the exception, not the rule.

So which assistant job is the right one for you? Basically it boils down to personal preference and personality. If you prefer a more flexible schedule that allows you more time at home and you do not wish to deal with clients one on one, then perhaps becoming a virtual assistant is the right choice for you.

If you are comfortable being actively involved in your clients' business and following their schedule as well as dealing with the personal aspects of their lives, then maybe being a personal assistant is best for you.

Either way that you decide to go, you should have no problem building a profitable home based business. The PA and VA industry has been growing stronger over the last few years and 2008 promises to be the best year ever.