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How You Can Go Back To Work While Staying Home With The Kids!

In an ideal world, we would all love to get back to work after having time off to have children. But often, the issues of childcare and lack of flexibility with work schedules and employers mean transitioning back into a working parent isnt that easy!

So what if we told you that you could go back to work, part time or full time, without having to worry about any of the above issues, and without even needing to leave the house?

1. The Virtual Assistant

   In the age of technology, the workplace isnt confined to the office any more. The home has become a workplace, allowing employers to save money on the running of premises and employees to work more flexibly around their personal commitments.

   The virtual assistant is one of the recent flexible job roles to come out of this new way of working. As a virtual assistant, you carry out most of the same tasks as a secretary or office manager but rather than working 9-5 in an office, you perform the role remotely.

2. The Ideal Candidate

   Wondering if the virtual assistant role is for you? Here are some of the key characteristics of an ideal candidate for the role:

   1. -Excellent spoken and written communication skills
   2. -The ability to work outside of the office environment
   3. -Self motivation and a keen work ethic
   4. -The ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
   5. -Excellent organisation skills
   6. -Computer literate
3. What Does The Job Entail?

   The Virtual assistants job role can vary from company to company, but their responsibilities typically reflect those of a secretary or admin professional. Some of the tasks make include, but arent limited to:

   1. -Use a range of computer software packages including Microsoft Office Suite
   2. -Producing and distributing business documents such as letters, emails, etc.
   3. -Creating and maintaining databases of client details using spreadsheets.
   4. -Managing budgets and invoicing
   5. -Dealing with client enquiries via telephone and/or email
   6. -Setting up appointments and managing a calendar
4. Qualifications and Career Training

   Becoming a virtual assistant does not require a university degree or equivalent, but it is advisable to gain some form of training and education that can aid you in the accounting tasks during the job.

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At Pitman Training Swords we offer a range of different courses for helping prepare you for the role of a virtual assistant:

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Business Documentation Production -

As creating business documents will play a large role in your job as a virtual assistant, and learning to properly create various types of business document such as letters, minutes, etc. will stand you in good stead.

Microsoft Word 2010 Proficient

Understanding how to use the software included in the Microsoft Office 2010 suite is one of the vital requirements of admin positions. If you arent confident at all with it, then start off with this Proficient course and progress to the Expert course.

Microsoft Word 2010 Expert

For those who already have a good understanding of Microsoft Word 2010, the Expert course will help you to use the software to its full potential, outlining how to use the advanced tools it offers.

Microsoft Outlook 2010

As dealing with emails plays a large part in the virtual assistant role, it is important to have an in depth understanding of the email software used in the office, and all its features.

Microsoft Excel 2010 Proficient

Spreadsheets are one of the fundamental skills required by virtual assistants and admin professionals, and so becoming proficient in Excel is a must. This course will take you through the complex features of the software at an easy to follow pace, ensuring everyone can understand and comfortably use the software.

Microsoft Excel 2010 Expert

When you have mastered the basics of the Excel spreadsheets software and have an understanding of its uses, the Expert course will take a more in depth look at how to use its features to perform tasks at an advanced level.

Meetings and Minutes

Effectively organising and recording meetings is a key part of the adminstrators role. If you arent confident in this area then this is the course for you, as it equips you with the skills needed to perform the role of a virtual assistant or secretary.

Typing Course

You will be spending a lot of time typing up documents, dictations, emails and minutes, so knowing your way around a computer keyboard is essential to the role. This course will enable you to gain speed and accuracy in your typing; a fundamental skill of any admin based role.

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So if you think a virtual assistant or similar admin based role might be the one for you and you would like more information about getting training and qualifications to prepare you for the job, dont hesitate to call us on 01 8404075 or email swords@pitman-training.net. Alternatively you can drop into our training centre in the Chamber Buildings on North Street, Swords and one of our helpful support team will be able to advise you on whats best for you.