Here in The Virtual Hub, we have always been firm believers that the right attitude trumps skill or previous job experience any time of the day, any day of the week. Such is the case with our very first featured Virtual Assistant, Nicole.

Nicole came in with no job experience and a resume that’s so green it could belong to the Emerald City of Oz. She went in guns a-blazing and knocked our socks off with her performance during the training program. She is proof that the lack of work experience is not a detriment in her goal of landing a job in a company that she wants to be a part of.

So it’s no surprise that we have chosen to feature Nicole on our website. From having basic knowledge on digital marketing campaigns to seamlessly implementing them, she’s put a commendable amount of value in her learning experience and it’s what makes her successful today. She’s been with the hub for almost a year and her team leader and her clients have nothing but good things to say about her. We decided to check up on her and see how she has been doing these days:

Ram: Hi Nic, long time no hear!

Nic: Hi Ram! Yes long time no call!

Ram: I hope you’re doing great. How have you been?

Nic: I’m doing really well. I’m about to celebrate my first year here in the hub!

Ram: Oh, wow! It’s been that long! Well, thank you for allowing us to interview you for today. I really want to let people know of your journey here in the hub. I just have a few questions for you. Feel free to say what you want to say.

Nic: No problem, it’s my pleasure! Fire away!

The Virtual Assistant Role

Ram: Okay so first up, what is your role at TVH?

Nic: My role in TVH is a Virtual Assistant. I help my clients create their processes and grow their business. I work on my clients’ social media accounts and their digital marketing campaigns. I also manage the administrative side of their business.

Ram: What do you like most about working with TVH?

Nic: What I like most is that the environment is really chill, my workmates are very collaborative, we help each other whenever someone is struggling with a task and then what I also like with TVH is the fixed days off. I can always schedule a trip or leisure time with my family and friends.

Working with a client

Ram: What’s your favourite part about working with your client?

Nic: My favourite part is that he actually treats me as an equal. I don’t get the vibe of having a really strict boss. And he accepts my mistakes and whenever I commit mistakes, he sees it as a lesson that we can learn from and not some form of damage to the company. That’s where the learning process comes in.

Ram: Is he communicative with you?

Nic: Yes. Very. We actually talk every Monday and from time to time, we talk about non-work related stuff. We bond over those things like video games which we are both interested in.

“What I like most is that the environment is really chill, my workmates are very collaborative, we help each other whenever someone is struggling with a task and then what I also like with TVH is the fixed days off. I can always schedule a trip or leisure time with my family and friends”

Career Development in The Virtual Hub

Ram: How has TVH helped you in your career development?

Nic: In terms of career, TVH has given me a head start. Before I applied here, I didn’t exactly have a path or a specific plan or goal. I’m an IT graduate that did a lot of programming with a little bit multimedia, and I really wanted to pursue the multimedia side so it’s great that I learned about TVH because it gave me the chance to work on that.

Ram: Here in TVH, we really promote work-life balance as you may already know. In relation to this, I want to know, how do you balance your career at TVH and family?

Nic: That’s a very good question. This last Holy Week, TVH was closed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday which gave me a chance to plan a trip with my family. We went to Bacolod. I had the time to bond with them since all three of us are working. I had the chance to fly them here in Cebu. I use my leave credits and the holidays to really spend some time with family.

Getting personal

Ram: I have a fun question for you — if you can switch your job with anyone from the hub for a day, whose would you take and why?

Nic: For a day? Maybe I’ll try Barb’s job.

Ram: Haha! I would think twice about that answer!

Nic: I’m really curious about how it feels like to be on top. I mean I know it’s not an easy job but I would like to take a peek.

Ram: Now I have a few more questions that are on the more fun and on the lighter side just to give everyone a better idea of you. Are you game?

Nic: Okay. Let’s go.

Ram: Who inspires you?

Nic: My family, Both my mom and dad are workaholics. They came from a very poor lifestyle before and they worked their way up. I want to build something out of my hard work just like them.

Ram: Alright, now tell us something that might surprise people to know about you.

Nic: Hmm. I’m an open book. I think they’d be surprised to hear that I’m an aspiring mountaineer. When I graduated I didn’t know I’d have time for that but thanks to TVH, I still get to do it.

Ram: Have you had the chance to climb any mountains lately?

Nic: Yeah, 3 months into TVH I was able to climb Mount Naupa. I went with my cousins.

Ram: Cool, cool, now what music is on your iPhone/Android phone?

Nic: Right now, it’s actually Electric Love by BØRNS.

Ram: Any favourite line from a movie?

Nic: It’s something that my dad always said I don’t remember the movie though — “It’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta do it.”

Ram: Nic, if you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

Nic: I would save. I would save the money

Ram: Good answer!

Ram: If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?

Nic: I would love to meet Albert Einstein! I want to know his greatness!

Ram: Facebook or Instagram?

Nic: Instagram!

“You have to possess the attitude of wanting to learn new things every day. Every day is a new learning experience”

Advice for TVH candidates

Ram: Okay, for my last question, Nic, before I let you go, what advice do you have for prospective TVH candidates?

Nic: My advice would be, you have to possess the attitude of wanting to learn new things every day. Every day is a new learning experience. Also, patience. Not all clients are the same and sometimes our cultural differences get in the way. You just have to find common ground. Lastly, have fun! Love what you do so you always have good days.

Ram: Thank you so much for all of your answers, Nic. I really appreciate this. I’m really proud of what you have accomplished and I love seeing you be the best version of yourself.

Nic: Thank you too for recognising all of my efforts. Thank you very much!