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Virtual Assistants are remote workers who can perform jobs online for your company as third party subcontractors. Virtual Assistants are good for a number of different tasks and reduce costs for companies. Hiring a Virtual Assistant is the same as hiring a temporary employee except the VA could be located in another state or another country. As the Internet has become easier to use with faster Internet speeds, the Virtual Assistant has become the new, temporary employee providing services on an as needed basis to companies around the world.


Outsourcing has usually been associated with working with people overseas primarily in India, Pakistan and Russia where the cost of producing goods and services can be had at a much lower rate than in Western countries where the cost of living is much higher. With the economy going the way it is, however, there is a growing number of freelancers who are opting to become Virtual Assistants working on an job-by-job basis through websites like oDesk.com, Rent-a-coder and Elance.com.

If a company finds they have a job and not enough resources, they can hire a subcontractor or Virtual Assistant to take on the job. The interviewing and hiring process is the same as one would go through if they had a "real' interview. However, these interviews are conducted via Instant Messenger, Skype VoIP and by email. Once hired, the Virtual Assistant performs the task just as if they were sitting in the company offices. On the more sophisticated sites like oDesk, there is even screenshots and tracking software that shows an hourly Virtual Assistant at work so that the company knows that they're getting their money's worth.

Virtual Assistants offer companies:

- High Quality, experienced service
- Skills in specific areas
- Collaboration tools for teams of Virtual Assistants
- Flexible staffing

Over the last few years, Virtual Assistants have grown into a multi-million dollar business with remote workers getting jobs based on their skillset rather than where they are located. The vast majority of Virtual Assistants are located in locations where it would be impossible to work for the companies that they currently staff.

In addition to working on these jobs remotely, good outsourcing firms have collaboration software that both the company and remote Virtual Assistant use to bring each together as if they're sitting in the same room. Both the remote and local user has access to Team Rooms where information and collaboration can take place through real-time desktop sharing, screen capture software and tracking tools.

Payment systems are also now in place along with feedback systems which allows both the provider and the company to trade feedback on jobs completed. The accounting portion for the Virtual Assistant is also taken care of through these intermediary companies so that the company can keep accurate records on each project. While the need for Virtual Assistants is growing and tele-commuters working from home is growing as well. The company benefits in that it doesn't need to pay for office space, supplies or medical benefits. The Virtual Assistant benefits in that they never need to leave home to work, lower gasoline and car maintenance and the ability to work based on their skillset and not their geographic location.

About the Author:

Sandy Naidu is a work at home mother. Sandy's website virtual assistant jobs features interviews with women business owners. There are also resources on virtual assistant jobs to help you become a virtual assistant. Visit virtual assistant jobs for more information.