What exactly is a Virtual Assistant?

March 31 at 2:45 am in Virtual Assistant, Worker Tips by Honey Amabelle D. Young (Admin) 12 Comments »

There are a lot of jobs posted that are hiring for “virtual assistants”.  But, what are they really and what do they actually do?  Can you consider yourself a virtual assistant?  What does is take for you to apply to be one?

According to wikipedia: A Virtual Assistant (typically abbreviated to VA, also called a virtual office assistant) is an entrepreneur who provides professional administrative, technical, or creative (social) assistance to clients from a home office.  A virtual assistant job involves data entry, email handling, answering calls, customer service, online marketing, research, even SEO and link building.  In other words, a virtual assistant is like a remote secretary.  This job involves mostly secretarial and clerical types of work.

If you want to be a VA you have to prepare yourself to have a lot of competition.  Essentially, anyone with basic computer and internet skills can apply to be a virtual assistant.  Don’t let this fact daunt you, though.  As with any competition, the one who has an edge will always win.  If you have more skills than other run-of-the-mill VAs out there, don’t be shy to let the employer know it.  Tell him. Demonstrate your skills.  Show him why you deserve to be hired over all other applicants.  This is not the time to be bashful.  Of course, showcasing your skills and talents should be tempered with honesty.  There is a very thin line between boasting about your skills and lying about it.

Never take being a virtual assistant for granted.  Being a VA takes a lot of hard work and flexibility.  You have to be an organized person or you will have to resist the urge to do a cartwheel out of frustration.  Being a VA involves a lot of skills. Make no mistake about it.