When I first started working for Belay in 2022 I thought it was a great opportunity to get some of the key things I was looking for in a job, which was the ability to work remote and have more control and flexibility in my day to day schedule, little did I realize that was the ONLY benefit in working for Belay and below I go into more detail about the actual reality of working as a virtual assistant at Belay verses the dream they sell. (in my opinion) 1. To begin, the interview process is long and tedious and you would think you were applying for a job that was six figures instead of $18-$22 dollars an hour. If you make it pass all the assignments, taping yourself on video, interviewing over the phone and on zoom, and finally get hired Belay is not quite done putting you to the test. After you are hired and complete Belay 101 where they tell you "getting this job is harder then getting into Harvard" (give me a break), you get access to their job board where once again you will have to apply for an engagement you think would be a good fit for you and standout among the many many others also applying for that same engagement. If you get chosen(after a phone interview, then a zoom interview), and that's a big if, because for some it can take a while before you get matched. (And I have heard, if you do not get matched within 90 days they will let you go all together) 3. After starting your first engagement( and hopefully things are going well), you start to realize the amount of work you are doing(Varies based on the client) is so disproportionate to the little amount you get paid and what Belay is making off of your hard labor (which can be double or MORE what you are getting paid), you can start to feel very demoralized about the choice you made to work for this company. 4. The chances for career advancement or a significant increase in pay is slim to none, and Belay(in my opinion) purposefully structures it this way, let me explain. Even if your client is thrilled with the work and everything is going great, the most you are going to get is a $1 raise per hour after you have worked for the company for one year. In a dream world, you could hope that your client buys out your contract (for an astronomical amount of money) and you have some upward mobility with your client within his/her company. However, the chances of that happening are slim to none do to the amount of money required to do that. 5. You are more disposable then ever. If a client decides to end the engagement with you for a number of reasons( can no longer afford services, the engagement is not working out, ect.) You are left with having to start the process all over again and find another engagement each and every time this occurs. And, in my opinion it occurs a lot, because the client starts to realize why am I paying Belay when I could hire my own assistant for less money. 6. In order to be full-time(if that's what you desire) you have to have two or more engagements. This can be very tricky when you are juggling your time and workload, and I'm not saying this can't be done, I just feel you shouldn't have to. Also, it makes things even harder when you want to take time off because you still have to make sure you complete the hours you are contracted for, because there is no such thing as PTO at Belay. (for virtual assistants, bookkeepers, social media managers) 7. Lately(and I know I have written a novel lol) I decided that if I stayed at Belay I was going to look back and feel like I was stuck in a space time continuum. I was going to be in the same position and have the same salary (because there is a cap of what they are willing to pay), and I didn't want to resign myself to that fate. Because, working at Belay only works for the few not the many. Maybe, it is a good fit if you looking for a little extra money or you are retired looking to fill your day, ect. However, if you are young, excited about a career, wanting to grow, Working as a virtual assistant at Belay will provide none of those things.
