As the world becomes increasingly online, so does the workforce. And with the internet bridging global distances, remote work has not only become possible but preferred by many. As such, there is a competitive and in-demand market for Virtual Assistants. If you have ever thought about becoming one, here’s what you need to know.
At its core, a Virtual Assistant is an employee providing remote support to a business. The kind of support a VA provides can vary greatly depending on their area of expertise. Common services include email correspondence, reporting, scheduling, calendar management, project management and coordination, research support, receiving phone calls, and content creation, among others.
If you have only ever worked in an in-person capacity, you might question why some people prefer to work remotely instead of going the traditional route. Simply speaking, remote work offers benefits and advantages that can be difficult or even impossible to enjoy when working on-site. Being a Virtual Assistant often means more professional freedom, flexible hours, and competitive wages. Plus, there is always the comfort of not having to leave your own home or worry about transportation every single workday. Some would argue that the commute to and from work causes burnout more than the job itself, especially if you live in a highly congested city. Becoming a VA saves you from that hassle.
If the above are factors you consider when looking for a job, then a career as a Virtual Assistant may be for you. As it is with traditional jobs, there are things you have to know and understand before diving into the world of becoming a remote worker. Here are some non-negotiables, so-to-speak:
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You will be working with computers all day. This doesn’t mean you have to be a tech-whiz up-to-date with all the latest technological upgrades or know how to change a motherboard, but it does mean you have to be comfortable with using a computer and being online for most, if not all, of your workday. Luckily, being tech-savvy is a learnable skill. And with the world being predominantly online these days, there is a very good chance you’ll catch on quickly enough.
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More often than not, you will be left to your own devices. This means there will be little micromanagement and no immediate managers or supervisors to correct you or advise you every step of the way. You will have to learn how to be self-sufficient. Working in the comfort of your chosen abode (whether it be your home or a coworking space of your liking) means you will have to rely on your judgment (and your training) to resolve problems that arise on a daily basis.
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Following up on the above, since you are physically apart from your coworkers, it will be vital that you remain active and accessible during your workday. Some employees and clients, especially those new to working with Virtual Assistants, can be overly concerned with your productivity since they can’t physically see you working. It is important that you treat this not as inherent distrust, but as a challenge that comes naturally with your chosen field. One that will inevitably fade as you prove your reliability and deliver outputs consistently.
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Lastly, you have to have a good command of the English language. Considering that you will be dealing with international clients, a good number of them from primarily English-speaking countries, you will have to be comfortable and confident in your English communication skills to effectively converse with your clients and deliver quality work.
If you fulfil the above criteria and feel that you are ready to become a Virtual Assistant, here is a step-by-step guide to help you realise your goal:
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Identify your strengths
Ever heard of that age-old aphorism “Know thyself”? Determining your strengths is the foundation of properly marketing yourself as a professional. List down the things that you are good at, tasks you enjoy doing, and skills that may give you an edge over others. A passion for customer service, a creative spark, the ability to come up with a convincing sales script—these could all be helpful to you. If you are switching careers, think of any transferable skills you have developed in your previous jobs. Tailor your resume to highlight these strengths and maximize your chances of landing a job.
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Set up your home office
It goes without saying that you will require a comfortable and functioning home office in order to become a Virtual Assistant. Start with the basics: a desk and a chair, a reliable internet connection, a desktop computer or a laptop with a working web camera, and a headset for handling calls and meetings. Eventually, you can spruce up your work area and add more equipment as necessary, but it’s important to cover the essentials for starters.
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Look for virtual assistant jobs
Now that you have the ammunition you need, you can start looking for your first clients. There are several hundred kinds of services businesses are looking for; it is important to determine which kind your combined skill set and professional experience are best suited for. Virtual Assistant positions could be posted in traditional job sites or freelancing websites. If you have any specific industries or businesses in mind, visit their websites and look for any career opportunities directly. You can also join online communities for Virtual Assistants. These places will often have job leads available and people to vouch for businesses and clients they have worked with in the past.
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Build a portfolio
A portfolio is an instrument that showcases your accomplishments to future clients. Every professional experience you have under your belt has to be added to your portfolio. As you gain experience, it is important to record every commendation and positive feedback you receive, along with examples of your work as this will help build your professional credibility.
If you are in the creative sector, a portfolio showing samples of your writing, social media posts, or any other visual creations will demonstrate your skills and help you gain more clients.
Whether you are entering the workforce for the first time or you’re a seasoned professional considering a career change, it is important that you understand what you are getting into. Equip yourself with the knowledge necessary to become a Virtual Assistant and sign up for a virtual training to kickstart your professional journey.