Team Member Ready for Placement

Mara holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and brings a diverse background in cybersecurity analysis, administrative support, and systems development. She is driven, detail-oriented, and eager to apply her technical skills in a more process-driven and client-focused environment. Outside of work, Mara enjoys watching Netflix and reading fiction and romance novels, balancing her analytical mind with creative and reflective pastimes.

Onboarding Training and Assessment

At Affordable Staff, we ensure that every team member not only masters administrative tasks but also gains a deep understanding of Australian business practices and cultural nuances. This preparation is vital for effective client support. Our training starts with real estate, providing a comprehensive overview of general administrative competencies, ensuring our trainees are versatile and capable of handling a wide range of administrative tasks.

The second phase of our training program focuses on Mortgage Broker Assessment. This intensive two-week course immerses trainees in document processing modules, where they learn to understand various types of documents and their roles in the loan application process. Trainees are trained in following naming conventions and editing standards, with their skills assessed through quizzes and individual tasks. They are also introduced to fundamental mortgage concepts and familiarised with commonly used tools such as CRM systems. Tasks include data entry and loan application management, offering a complete view of preparing a loan application.

We also emphasise communication skills, enhancing them through grammar checks, situational chats, and lender call simulations. By the end of this phase, our trainees will be proficient in handling mortgage-related tasks, meeting the high standards expected by our clients

Affordable Staff Tools Training

Tools Training is a crucial part of our training program, ensuring our team members gain proficiency in essential software used in daily operations. Our team members are introduced to LastPass for password management, Outlook for email and calendar organisation, TechSmith for capturing and recording, Hubstaff for time tracking, Zoom and Teams for virtual communication, OneDrive for file management, and Trello for project management.

For those completing our Mortgage Broking Foundations course, we place a significant emphasis on Nexus CRM and BrokerEngine. Mortgage broking VAs spend considerable time honing their skills through practice and repetition using these tools, ensuring they become highly adept and efficient. Team members undertaking the additional two-week, high-intensity Mortgage Broking course will gain expertise in the following areas:

• Introduction to Mortgage Broking
• Document Processing Basics
• Hands-on Document Processing
• Document Editing Standards and Advanced Processing
• Broker/VA Communication
• Nexus CRM Training
• BrokerEngine Project Management
• Introduction to ApplyOnline
• Scenario-Based Training

This comprehensive approach ensures she is well-equipped to handle a variety of tools and tasks, leading to increased efficiency and productivity in mortgage broking support roles. The extensive practice with Nexus CRM and BrokerEngine guarantees that our VAs are not only knowledgeable but also highly proficient in using these essential tools.

Additional Tools Proficiency
Before our onboarding training, she had already learned and gained experience with the following tools:

• Expert: Canva
• Advanced: Word, OneDrive, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, WordPress
• Practical Application: Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive
• Limited Experience: Outlook, Access, OneNote, Teams, CorelDRAW, Procreate, Trello, Hubstaff, LastPass, DocuSign, Bootstrap Studio, Adobe Fonts
• Basic Knowledge: Publisher, Google Fonts

Additional Skills and Notable Experience

She brings valuable experience from her roles in cybersecurity and government internships. She worked as a cybersecurity digital forensics analyst at a tech company for 1 year and 9 months. She also interned for 3 months at a human resource management office/persons with disabilities affairs office. Key skills and tasks include:

• Investigating ransomware-related attacks and identifying patterns of compromise
• Creating and submitting consolidated incident reports for clients
• Handling data security cases with strong attention to detail and critical thinking
• Designing and developing a system to digitise and streamline office records
• Performing data entry and preparing internal audit and payroll reports
• Compiling and organising municipal documentation for government use
• Creating visual materials such as dashboards, flowcharts, and posters
• Supporting administrative processes through documentation and reporting
• Working independently with minimal supervision
• Demonstrating initiative, accountability, and analytical problem-solving

Learning Ability and Work Proficiency
She has a logical and critical mind, is highly motivated, and takes every opportunity to learn. She absorbs new processes with a bit of initial guidance but quickly builds confidence and independence. She follows instructions well, requires minimal supervision, and maintains an organised and methodical work style. Her good verbal and written communication skills, combined with her engaging and active listening abilities, contribute to her strong professional presence.

Interpersonal Skills and Personal Characteristics
She is a sociable and outspoken individual who demonstrates a genuine interest in her work. She shows perseverance, readiness to take responsibility, and confidence in tackling tasks independently. Her smart and versatile nature allows her to adapt easily, and she works well with others due to her friendly and cooperative demeanor. Her resourcefulness, eagerness to improve, and ambition to grow make her a promising addition to any team.

Suitability
She is greatly suitable for any general mortgage broking or general administrative position, as well as voice roles and basic social media tasks.

Why Mara is Suitable for the Role
Her strong technical background, analytical mindset, and independent work ethic make her an excellent fit for the mortgage broking support space. She brings a unique blend of cybersecurity expertise and administrative experience, complemented by her creative and communication skills. Her enthusiasm for learning, adaptability to systems, and attention to detail ensure she can confidently handle mortgage-related tasks with precision. With her go-getter attitude and openness to feedback, she is well-positioned to thrive as a Mortgage Broking Virtual Assistant.