If you’re out to look for an online job, becoming a virtual assistant is probably the most accessible role you can find. I mean, you just need to assist your bosses, right?
Well. That’s true. Virtual assistants aid business owners in handling administrative tasks that take too much time. It can be data entry, social media postings, and so on. The freed-up time can be dedicated to more pressing tasks for your employers.
Besides basic administrative tasks, VAs can also carry out specialized tasks like social media management, web development, and bookkeeping.
Key Responsibilities of Virtual Assistants
Typically, the responsibilities of general VAs include:
- Managing emails, scheduling appointments, and organizing files,
- Handling customer inquiries via email, phone, or chat,
- Updating and maintaining databases and spreadsheets,
- Making travel arrangements for their clients (i.e. booking flights, hotels, and other travel plans),
- Creating reports, presentations, and other documents, and
- Conducting basic research on various topics as requested by clients.
The average monthly salary for entry-level full-time VAs ranges from PHP 17,000 to PHP 25,000.
Senior VAs, on the other hand, can expect a salary range between PHP 50,000 to PHP 60,000 per month.
Specialization Opportunities for VAs
The demand for virtual assistants is growing every day, but competition remains fierce. To stand out, it helps to have specific expertise, such as those pertaining to the top virtual assistant roles:
- Administrative Assistant:
- Handles advanced administrative tasks like project management, executive support, and managing complex schedules.
- Unlike regular VAs, administrative assistants provide support to teams or departments and their responsibilities focus on supporting internal office functions rather than client-facing tasks.
- Social Media Assistant:
- Social media VAs are responsible for managing their client’s social media platforms, scheduling posts, creating and posting content, monitoring engagement, and managing complex schedules.
- This VA specialization requires expertise in social media strategies, trends, analytics, and paid promotions.
- Data Entry VA:
- Data Entry VAs primarily handle tasks like inputting, organizing, and updating data into databases, spreadsheets, or systems.
- They ensure accuracy and consistency in the information they’re managing, which can include customer records, financial data, or inventory details.
- E-commerce VA:
- These VAs are responsible for managing their client’s online stores like product listings, inventory updates, processing orders, and customer service for e-commerce platforms like Shopify or Amazon.
- Marketing VA:
- As their name suggests, marketing VAs focus on digital marketing tasks, like running email campaigns, managing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies, and tracking analytics.
- They’re also skilled in using platforms like Mailchimp or Hubspot and optimizing campaigns for conversion.
- Bookkeeping VA:
- Although regular VAs might track simple expenses, bookkeeping VAs possess a more specialized knowledge of certain accounting practices and are more familiar with financial management tools.
- These VAs are responsible for managing financial records, tracking expenses, creating invoices, and using accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero.
- Real Estate VA:
- Real estate VAs possess specialized knowledge of the real estate industry, including familiarity with MLS systems and property management tools.
- These specialized VAs support real estate agents with tasks like listing properties, managing inquiries, scheduling showings, and maintaining customer relationships.
- Research VAs:
- Research VAs focus on gathering, analyzing, and summarizing information for their clients.
- They conduct online research on topics like market trends, competitors, or industry insights, helping businesses make better-informed decisions.
Image Credit: iStock
Skills Required
There are different skills needed for every specific VA role. But in general, you need to have a baseline knowledge of the qualities of a rockstar Filipino VAs.
Take note; everyone can potentially become a VA. But not all are good enough to be rockstar VAs. And it’s all about the soft skills.
Image Credit: iStock
Communication Skills
Most likely, you will be talking to foreign clients. Your English should be at a conversational level. It should be at a level where you can follow instructions and give feedback and suggestions to tasks at hand.
And on top of this, you should be wary of online communications and understand their culture so that you can collaborate better.
Image Credit: iStock
Independence
Your boss hired a VA to save some time. But if you’re someone who needs to be supervised and micromanaged, what’s the point?
You need to be independent enough to do your tasks well. You have to be someone who can be trusted and doesn’t need much supervision. And you would want it to be this way.
At least, you can work in peace without a prying eye. And in my opinion, it can lead to more productivity.
Flexible
Coupled with independence, flexibility is essential to becoming a rockstar VA. There will be hardships and challenges in our work. The ability to adapt and be flexible with ideas and solutions is much-needed for every company.
And having that trait makes you more valuable than the rest.
Image Credit: iStock
Value-Driven
Today, it’s all about the value you can provide to people. The more value you can give, the more you can expect in return. So as a virtual assistant, you should always aim to provide the best output.
Always aim to improve with every task. In the long run, it can make you an integral team member for your client. And this will ensure long-term client relationships.
Image Credit: iStock
Have Initiative
On top of being value-driven, you need to have initiative as a Virtual Assistant. A lot of employees have a mindset to settle for just the minimum requirements. There is nothing wrong with that.
But if you want to progress further, have the initiative. It means going beyond what is required. For example, if you observe something that can be improved, suggest it to your clients.
If there are growth opportunities like additional projects or training, grab them! This practice will result in advancement that can set you apart from everyone else.
How Do VAs Work With International Clients?
VAs utilize various online tools and platforms to work seamlessly with international clients. These include:
- Online Communication Tools:
- VAs use online communication apps like Zoom, Skype, or Slack to remain in touch with their clients, regardless of location or time zone.
- Project Management Tools:
- Apps like Trello, Asana, and ClickUp allow them to receive and track tasks from their clients, ensuring efficient workflow.
- Document Sharing:
- VAs and clients share files via cloud-based platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Aside from these, many VAs are used to adjusting their work hours to align with their client’s time zones for seamless collaboration.
Image Credit: iStock
Crafting Your Resume: How to Become a Virtual Assistant When You Don’t Have Experience?
Now, let’s find you a client! For that, you might need a resume. There are countless resume templates out there. But how do you set yourself apart? Here are some tips.
Image Credit: iStock
Customize For Your Client and Highlight Relevant Experiences
Every job opening has client requirements. For example, someone might look for a social media virtual assistant.
If you have experience in office-based work but don’t have remote work experience, just find an aspect of your job that is relevant to your requirements. For example, you were working as a marketing staff that handles social media.
You can say that you are fit for the role because you handled social media in your previous job even though it was not your primary role back then.
Be Creative
Sometimes, adding flair to your resume can set you apart. A lot of people just pass plain-looking resumes. Nothing wrong with that. But why not add some modern designs to make it eye-catching?
There are multiple ways, especially with Canva. Be creative and surprise your possible clients from the on-set.
What If You Have Literally ZERO Work Experience?
Companies hire because of the value you can give to them. And most of the time, you need to prove it with previous work. How do you do that if you don’t have any working experience?
Well, you need to start somewhere. Maybe you can start small by asking microbusinesses. Or you can apply to internships. Sometimes, this “sacrifice” (for some) for lower pay grades might lead to better opportunities in the future.
Conclusion
Becoming a Rockstar Virtual Assistant is not easy. It takes a lot of growth and value-giving to reach the top. But it’s possible! And it all starts with a single step! Check out virtual assistant jobs and start your VA journey today.
