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Do you search for flexible job that will allow you to work from anywhere? You may want to look into virtual assistant jobs. These jobs are booming as thousands of people are now making a great living working from home.
What Are Virtual Assistant Jobs?
A virtual assistant (VA) supports companies with the tasks they face each and every day without ever setting foot in an office. Instead of sitting in an office, you work from a space of your own with just a computer and connection to the internet.
Virtual assistants do all types of work. Perhaps you respond to emails, set up meetings, update your (or more likely your boss’s) social media or book travel for the team. The best part? You can often prioritize what tasks you’d like to work on.
Why Virtual Assistant Jobs Are So Popular
Over the last few years, demand for virtual assistants has skyrocketed. Here’s why:
Businesses Save Money: When you hire a virtual assistant, you do not need to pay for them to have an office space or equipment. That gives them the ability to employ more help.
You can work from home, a coffee shop, or on the road. All you have to do is open up your laptop and wifi.
Flexible Hours: A lot of virtual assistant jobs allow you to work whenever is best for you. This allows for more flexibility when juggling work and family, or anything other obligation.
No Commute: No rush hour traffic! You will save time and money commuting by car or public transportation.
What Skills Do You Need?
There’s good news, though: You don’t need a special degree to get started. But these are the skills that will help you succeed:
- Basic Skills
- Good writing and communication
- Email and calendar management
- Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
- Time management and organization
- Attention to detail
Advanced Skills (Optional)
- Social media management
- Bookkeeping and invoicing
- Customer service
- Data entry and research
- Basic graphic design
The more talents you possess, the highest fee you can take for services rendered. But if you’re new, don’t worry. Many people develop new skills as they work through their first couple virtual assistant jobs.
Types of Virtual Assistant Jobs
There are a lot of different types of VA work. Here are some popular options:
General Administrative VA: Manage email, schedule appointments, and manage basic office duties. This is an average and common virtual assistant’s job.
Social Media VA: Write and respond to comments, grow social media accounts for businesses.
Customer Service VA: We need someone who can answer customer questions, troubleshoot issues, and offer support via email or chat.
Real Estate VA: Assist real estate agents with administrative tasks, schedule showings and follow up with leads.
Executive VA: You assist business owners or executives with things at a higher level than just being a virtual assistant, such as project management and research.
How Much Can You Earn?
Compensation: Based on experience / Skill set dependedentin.com My client in South Jersey is looking to add a.NET Application Developer to their roster. Here’s what you would generally get:
- Beginners: $10-15 per hour
- Intermediate: $15-25 per hour
- Experienced: $25-50+ per hour
Some virtual assistants bill monthly packages, as opposed to per hour. As you gain experience and develop a specialization in certain types of jobs or pay, you can make even more.
Where to Get Virtual Assistant Work
Ready to start your search? Check these popular places:
Job Boards
- Indeed and LinkedIn frequently offer virtual assistant roles
- FlexJobs specializes in remote and flexible work.
- Virtual Vocations lists telecommuting jobs
Freelance Platforms
- Upwork and Fiverr allow you to create a profile and bid on jobs
- Freelancer connects businesses all around the world.
VA Companies: There are companies like Silkee Solutions that hire virtual assistants to work for different clients. This may be easier than getting your own clients as you’re starting.
Outreach Direct: Don’t hesitate to get in touch directly with small businesses. Many have work that needs doing and haven’t yet listed a job.
How to Get Your First Virtual Assistant Job
Getting started can seem daunting; however, here are some steps to follow:
- Choose Your Niche: Determine which service offering you want to focus on first. It’s alright to begin with the general and specialize later.
- Make a Lean Résumé: Write down skills and any relevant experience, even if it didn’t come from a traditional job.
- Create a Portfolio: Do free work or give discounted rates to your first handful of clients and collect their testimonials.
- Profile, Set up: Make profiles on job boards and freelance websites. Choose a professional photo and provide a brief description of your offers.
- Small Beginnings: Your early jobs may not pay as well as you want. That’s okay. You’re building experience and reviews.
- Seek Feedback: Request for reviews after you’ve completed work. It’s good words that unlock additional jobs for you.
Tips for Success as a Virtual Assistant
Upon scoring your first job, these are things to remember:
Communication is Key: As a remote contributor, good communication is of the utmost importance. Get back to emails promptly and ask for clarity when you are not sure.
Be Deadline-Sensitive: Never miss deadlines. If something crops up, tell your client right away.
Be proactive: Don’t sit around and wait for assignments. Find ways to help your clients and provide suggestions for improvements.
Keep Learning: The top virtual assistants are always learning. Learn new tools by taking free online courses or watching tutorials.
Establish Boundaries: When you’re working from home, the line between work and personal time can easily get blurred. Establish clear working hours — and stick to them.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Every job has its challenges. It’s something many virtual assistants get, however:
Clients: This gets easier as you go along. Begin with smaller jobs to build your name up.
Time Management: Employ organizational aids such as calendars and to-do lists. Act as though you’re going to work even if it’s virtual.
Feeling Isolated: Working in isolation can feel lonely. Get involved with online communities for virtual assistants to network and meet people.
How to Handle the Worst Clients: Not all clients are destined to be great. Learn how to establish the right off of good expectations, and don’t be afraid to walk away from bad situations.
Are You a Good Fit for a Virtual Assistant Career?
- Virtual assistant careers can be very rewarding, but are not for everyone. Ask yourself:
- Do you work well independently?
- Are you organized and detail-oriented?
- Know how to be effective of your own time?
- Do you like helping people achieve their goals?
If you answered yes to most of those questions, then more than likely, you will do well as a virtual assistant.
Your Next Steps
There is room for you in the virtual assistant industry, which appeals to all kinds of people who like a remote work lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a dependable, full-time career with a potential employer or just some extra side money, work-from-home assistant jobs have plenty to offer in terms of convenience and opportunity.
Begin by choosing one or two skills you’d like to concentrate on. Create profiles on job platforms. Start by applying for a few of your first jobs. No need to be perfect we all have to begin somewhere.
We know what it takes to be a great virtual assistant. We are constantly on the lookout for amazing, dedicated people to join our team and assist our clients in achieving success. If you are ready to begin your virtual assistant career and see what types of work you can get started with today!
Just bear in mind: every virtual assistant working today started out exactly where you are now. The only thing that separates them from the person who never makes it is that they DID something. You don’t have to wait to be a virtual employee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you need experience for virtual assistant jobs?
A: No, there is no prior experience that you require. Virtual assistants typically begin with skills such as managing email and calendars. You can continue to develop your skills from there. Try to be there and reliable in terms of response, communicative, willing to learn.
Q: What tools do I need to be a virtual assistant?
A: At the least, you would need a computer, a stable internet connection and space that is quiet. You may also want a headset, second monitor or certain software depending on what you do. Whereas most of the tools you’ll be working with are free or low cost.
Q: Is it possible for me to do this type of work as a part-time virtual assistant?
A: Yes! Many virtual assistants work part-time. This makes it an excellent pick if you have other obligations such as school, another job or family. You can usually make your own schedule.
Q: How many moons before you could get hired?
A: This depends, but a lot of people get there first job within several weeks actively looking. An attractive profile, regular applications and a willingness to work on small projects can help speed things up.
Q: Do I need to pay for costly training courses?
A:There are plenty of free resources online such YouTube, blog posts and free courses that can teach you all the fundamentals.
Q: Can I have multiple clients at the same time?
A: Yes, virtual assistants often collaborate with multiple clients. This can create a more stable income than having to count on just one client. Just be sure you can bear the sheer volume and fulfill every one of your obligations.
Q: What is the difference between working for a company like Silkee Solutions versus your own clients?
A: When you work for a company, they find clients, negotiate deals and often process payment. Being able to source your own clients is liberating, but also requires more marketing. Many VAs do both.
Q: Are virtual assistant jobs safe?
A: As with any job, your security depends on how good you are and how well others know it. Develop great relationships with clients, do good work all the time and never stop learning. Virtual assistants often have steady, long-term work with the same clients for years.
