?? Interview Tips for Neurodivergent Inclusion + Why I "Settled" In Mexico + Hot Industry Events ???

Hello hello, Hannah here ??

I've had my head down exploring lots of new ideas lately. This year is going to unveil a lot of things that have been "in progress" for years. This newsletter will get a facelift very soon, a podcast is in the works and a book is underway, not to mention enormous shifts in my personal life too. You know when you just feel ready? That's where I am at.

What's cooking today:

?? Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Interview / Discovery Call Accommodations

???? Business Insider: After 11 Years as a Digital Nomad, I’m Settling in Mexico

???? Challenge: Two Weeks From Today, You Could Change Your Life

?? Nicole: Our New VEA Inner Circle President Is on Fire!

??? Events: Hot Industry Events You Want to Check Out

?? Making Interviews & Discovery Calls Accommodating for Neurodiverse Talent

As we work toward more inclusive workplaces, it’s important to ensure our interview processes and client calls are accommodating to neurodiverse folks. Whether you’re hiring employees, engaging with freelance professionals, or maybe you're a freelancer working with ND clients, small accommodations can make a huge difference. Here are some practical tips:

1. Share Questions in Advance: Providing interview/client onboarding questions at least 24 hours before the interview gives candidates the time they need to prepare thoughtful responses.
2. Offer Multiple Communication Options: Some candidates or clients might prefer a video call, while others may find a traditional phone call less stressful. Offering options can help them perform at their best.
3. Allow for Pauses: Neurodiverse folks may need a bit more time to process questions and formulate their responses. Show understanding by allowing thoughtful pauses and not rushing conversations.
4. Record the Call (with Permission): Offering to record the call (ensuring to ask for consent first) can be helpful, allowing the other person to revisit the conversation if needed. You may wish to include an AI notetaking app too so that the call is captured in multiple formats for later digestion.
5. Clarify Expectations: Clearly explain the interview/call process, including any tasks or tests involved, so candidates/clients can prepare adequately and reduce anxiety.
6. Show, Not Tell: It can be better to focus on allowing candidates to demonstrate their ability to complete job-specific tasks versus being asked to recall “a time when they”. This is something I personally have appreciated in the past, when working memory issues arise, I can still knock it out of the park if presented with a task I'm good at in the moment.
7. Flexible Scheduling: Recognize that VAs and Freelancers might have varying productivity hours. Typically you’ll book into their calendar so this is easily accommodated.
8. Provide Detailed Information Early: When filling out an intake form before booking any call, be as thorough as possible. The more context and detail you can provide, the better prepared the other party can be for your discussion.
9. Ask Good Questions: In line with the above, if you have a booking calendar you're sending out, ensure you capture as much information before a call to support an easier face-to-face for everyone.

We often make our own accommodations as VAs and freelancers, and indeed that’s why many of us took this path, to have that ability, it's also important to remember that many of our clients may be some flavor of ND too! While we advocate for our accommodations, we must also be aware and open to adjusting to others. When neurodiverse people can operate at their best, everyone wins. ??

???? Business Insider: After 11 Years as a Digital Nomad, I’m Settling in Mexico

I'm excited to announce my very first lifestyle piece for Business Insider! ?? In this article, I talk about my and my wife's decision to move to Mexico, why Guanajuato keeps calling us back, how being here has supported my business growth, what I haven’t loved so much, and more! Will we stay in Mexico? Or are we forever nomads at heart? Read to find out! ??

Wondering how I keep getting big media features like this? Wonder no more! I reveal all and give solid strategies and tips for drastically upping your media game here , bringing you more authority, confidence, and clients!

???? Challenge: Five Days Could Change Your Life

Save the dates: April 1-5.

Starting an online business in just 5 days?!

“Hannah, I can’t do that… there’s just no way!!”

I’ve heard this countless times over the past 10 years working with VAs and freelancers, yet I stand firm on this, and I’ve trained over 30,000 people around the world who can confirm that: yes, 5 days of intentional action-taking can change your life, and no, there’s really no experience required.

You’re probably wondering how it could possibly be that fast. It's because during the 5 Day VA, we get right to the meat and potatoes. ??

? We’re not serving up fluff or filler.

Instead, we’re marrying an actionable approach of launching a lean business with the necessary mindset work that has to happen behind the scenes. Best of all, we’re teaching you client acquisition strategies that simply work - with 0 gatekeeping. This holistic approach, built on taking imperfect action, is how our trained VAs get out there quickly to start making money. ??

Imposter syndrome, limiting beliefs, and perfectionism are often major hurdles that stop people in their tracks. Some never get started because they believe they don’t have any skills of value, or they get caught in the limbo of never launching because they need everything to be “just right.”

This challenge is here to help you leap over those hurdles in a fun-loving, vibrant community where you’re supported by people worldwide who share the same goal of building a career that gives them freedom and flexibility.

There are tons of services you can offer as a VA, so I guarantee that there’s something you can do that others can’t or simply don’t want to do. The seemingly little things we do daily get taken for granted, all the way up to the big brainy things too, and we don’t always recognize them as the profitable skills they are!

?? Do you check, maintain, and use multiple email inboxes, sending out replies and organizing things? That’s a skill.

?? Love making fun and witty captions or telling captivating stories in your social posts? That’s a skill.

?? Are you known among your friends as an excellent online shopper because you know how to research the best products or prices? That’s a skill.

?? Do you possess a knack for finding solutions to technical problems all the time? Again, a valuable skill.

The 5 Day VA Challenge is about more than just starting an online business, it’s about pushing past fear, recognizing your strengths, stepping into your power, and embracing the things that are uniquely weird and wonderful about you - freedom and independence without sacrificing your authenticity or minimizing yourself. All with guidance and personalized feedback.

?? CLICK HERE TO TAKE PART IN THE 5 DAY VA CHALLENGE ??

?? Nicole: Our New VEA Inner Circle President Is on Fire!

In the Inner Circle of the Virtual Excellence Academy , we've kicked off "The Presidency" - our exciting initiative where members nominate and vote for a president three times a year. This role lets the elected member steer the group, introducing fresh initiatives and exploring new ideas. Huge cheers for Nicole Campbell, our first 2024 president! Nicole hit the ground running, challenging the community right away. In her first week, she had members revisit their initial welcome posts, and comparing to where they find themselves now sparking insightful reflections and deeper connections. Congrats, Nicole! We're eager to see what else you have in store for us!

You can connect with president Nicole Campbell (She?Her?Elle) right here on LinkedIn.

??? Upcoming Events & Experiences

?? The 5 Day VA Challenge: April 1-5 ?? Virtual. The number one place to kickstart or grow a freelance business with personalized support from yours truly. No cost!

?? Women in Travel Summit , April 12-14 ??Salt Lake City + Park City, USA. Creative entrepreneurs, influencers, and folks in the travel industry come together to discuss future innovations, build dynamic collaborations, and change travel worldwide, all while supporting and empowering a diverse community. All genders are welcome ?? I'll be there, will you? Get $80 off your ticket here!

?? Job Liberation Virtual Summit for Black Women , May 18-19 ??Virtual.

Headed by our VEA alumni, Marissa Price. Gain insights from industry experts, career coaches, and thought leaders. Learn practical strategies for exiting toxic work environments and taking control of your career path.

??. Latino Travel Fest May 31 -June 2 ??Elizabeth, NJ, USA. LTF is an annual travel conference powered by Latino world travelers created to gather, grow, and galvanize nuestra comunidad to experience the world and diversify the face of travel. I snagged you a sweet 15% off your ticket using the code: DIGITALNOMAD at checkout.

?? Bansko Nomad Fest, June 23 - June 30, ?? Bansko, Bulgaria. For one week hundreds of nomads, remote workers, and freelancers will take over a beautiful village in Bulgaria for an amazing mix of presentations, workshops, sports, mindfulness, and nature. I snagged you 10% off! Your Discount Code (case sensitive): Hannah_bnf24

?? Virtual Excellence Academy Inner Circle Events

These events are exclusive to VEA members, if you want to join this life-changing program & forever support community, join the waitlist here.

?? Digital Decluttering Session (monthly), March 27th, 11 am EST. Dedicated time to optimize our digital environment for maximized productivity and peace. Whoever finds the weirdest download wins!

?? Subcontracting: A Panel Discussion, March 28th, 1 pm EST. Four esteemed members of the VEA, plus me, are going live to discuss the ins and outs of subcontracting. Sharing, wins, fails, and advice for those on both sides of the relationship.

?? March: Spring into Action - Self-Care for Renewal, March 31st, 11 am EST. Spring is slowly but surely knocking on the door. This is a time to renew, to refresh, to encourage the practice of planting and nourishing the seeds of our vision.

?? GPT Creation for Clients, with Guest Expert Brittany Long, April 30th. We're hosting Brittany Long for a deep dive into GPT Creation, highlighting it as a critical skill for VAs and freelancers to enhance efficiency and client value. She'll cover customizing GPTs, with practical training and troubleshooting tips.

Login to the Inner Circle community to RSVP to all upcoming events, view past recordings, and connect with your fellow VEA peers.

?? That's a Wrap!

Oh, I have so much more in store, but this would turn into a manuscript of epic proportions, so until next time...

Stay cool,

Hannah

?? PS: Now is the time to sign up for the free 5 Day VA Challenge starting April 1st and kickstart your spring 2024 with a leap into a life of adventure.