Outsourcing Contract Hunting to a Virtual Assistant

[Jog On]

I find when I'm applying for a new role it's not always convenient to answer the phone and when I can answer the phone it's not always good to spend the best part of the day ducking and diving around the office/outside/on the stairwell etc. on the phone to agents.

I'm reading a book at the moment all about only doing a 4 hour work week and it has a large section on 'outsourcing your life' using VA's. This got me thinking, and I'd particularly like to hear what some agents think of this.

How would it look if I were to get a VA to answer all calls relating to new contract work as though they were an employee of my Ltd? They would state that I am 'currently unavailable to speak with them personally but would like to arrange a time that is mutually convenient sometime the same day.' They would explain that "I'm sure you understand that <Ltd company name> prides itself on delivering an absolutely first class service to all our clients which is why <contractor name> cannot deal with the volume of calls we are currently receiving in person while on a client site"

Agents - would this put you off or would it show a more professional approach? Would it just make you think "oh well forget this one on to the next one then.."

I would of course check in with the VA at say lunch time and call you back as soon as I could get/make a window.

I would also use the VA to search job sites and apply on my behalf to the roles that meet my criteria instead of serruptitiously looking myself and not being at liberty to search myself (the dept manager sits right behind me overlooking my screen - not to watch what I'm doing it's just the layout of the office).

The way I see it it's no different to having a secretary/temp answer your phone for you and say "he's busy but please leave your details and he'll call you right back" In this case I would school them to answer as many questions as they possibly could as well ie. - rates, NO I'm NOT considering perm etc.

Any opinions?

[angusglover]

Kind of like voicemail???????

[timh]

Hey!
You know what would be awesome..?

"If you are recruiting for a permanent position, press 1"
"Thank you for calling, goodbye!"

"If you are recruiting for a postion that might not exist, press 2"
"If you are recruiting for a position that pays less than £1.95/day, press 3"

Where can I get one?

[Jog On]

Can voicemail search jobsites for you and apply for new contracts on your behalf?

I should have mentioned that I'll use them to do web research and other stuff for my internet marketing business while I'm still in the day job so it would just be an additional task for them.

[Burdock]

Jog On,

I just followed the link from your original post. I was reading about the American guy who hired two Indian assistants to deal with his affairs! It was excellent! They were totally dedicated...his business PA, 'Honey' sent a really polite 20 line email requesting an end to marketing emails on his behalf, and his personal PA 'Asha' even emailed his wife an apology on his behalf. They also conduct his online research and shopping, phone his mobile and utility companies etc...all while he's asleep.

I wonder how much they charge!

[Jog On]

That is a good article - I liked it too!

Here is the company they both used and their rates:

https://www.getfriday.com/payasyougo.htm

I'm thinking pay as you go which is $10 a month for the service then $15 an hour as you go.

My contract ends at the end of June so I'm going to road test them for 3 weeks to go stage and see if it works or not.

The concept of outsourcing to India takes on a new meaning if it works in your favour

[Buffoon]

Where can I get one?

I had to find a PC board to handle the telephone years ago to do this sort of thing. Just wondering if VoIP or an interface to Skype could do the same? https://developer.skype.com/

[Vito]

Hey!
You know what would be awesome..?

"If you are recruiting for a permanent position, press 1"
"Thank you for calling, goodbye!"

"If you are recruiting for a postion that might not exist, press 2"
"If you are recruiting for a position that pays less than £1.95/day, press 3"

Where can I get one?

Quality...a good start to the day...I do like Fridays...and working from home always helps!

[Burdock]

The concept of outsourcing to India takes on a new meaning if it works in your favour

Do your reckon that Honey is any good at writing code too?!

Also, BWH?!

[2uk]

I just started to encounter the situation where you get agents calls at work. It is kinda inconvenient to go out the room every time you get a call. The clients see that you are considering other stuff. This can be an indication to them that you are looking for something else ( although you are just keeping in touch for better offers ) . And this will influence their renewal decision.

I would like to hear some experiences with the Virtual assistants. It might be useful if you use it for the right thing. For example , since it takes 1 -2 days to find a contractor for most of the GiGs , this Virtual Assistant will not be useful because what matters is response time and all the Virtual Assistant can do is promise a call back.