Becoming a Virtual Assistant:
Are you tired of the nine-to-five grind at a traditional office job? Do you want more flexibility in your work schedule?
If so, becoming a virtual assistant (VA) may be the perfect career path for you. VA jobs provide opportunities for people from all backgrounds to work remotely, become their own boss, and earn a decent income.
In this article, we’ll discuss what it takes to become a VA, the requirements for VA jobs, the different VA opportunities, and how to find them. Benefits of Being a VA:
Virtual assistant jobs consist of a range of tasks, from data entry, customer service, and accounting to calendar management, transcription, and project management.
The primary benefit of being a VA is that it allows you to control your work-life balance. VA jobs provide the perfect opportunity for those who want to work from home or those looking to earn some extra money through a side hustle.
As a VA, you’ll enjoy the convenience of working at your own pace and staying organized while tackling multiple tasks. This flexibility in your work schedule is especially beneficial for people with young children, disabilities, or elderly parents that require attention during the day.
Requirements for Becoming a VA:
One of the most significant benefits of becoming a VA is that you don’t need any experience to get started. All you need are organization skills, excellent communication skills, and the ability to multitask.
While having previous office and administrative experience can be an added advantage, it’s not a requirement. As with any job, you’ll need to have a reliable internet connection and a computer that can handle whatever tasks you’ll be assigned.
You’ll also need access to software, such as video conferencing tools, project management software, and bookkeeping programs. High-Paying VA Jobs:
While VA jobs can vary in pay based on the company you work for and your experience level, certain roles typically pay higher than others.
Executive assistants, for example, earn an average of $25 an hour, while project managers can earn up to $40 an hour. Take note that income potential will also depend on your level of expertise, experience, and the amount of time that you’ll be working on a project.
Best Websites for Finding VA Jobs for Beginners:
There are plenty of websites out there that offer VA job opportunities, but not all of them are created equal. If you’re just starting as a VA, consider looking at Fiverr, FlexJobs, Upwork, Indeed, Task Rabbit, and LinkedIn. These websites are well-established and known for their reliability and reputation in the online job space.
Other sites to consider are Belay, 24/7 Virtual Assistant, Vicky Virtual, Freelancer, Vasumo, Zip Recruiter, 99 Dollar Social, and Zirtual. Not Recommended VA Job Sites:
It’s essential to be cautious when looking for VA jobs online.
While some websites offer a reputable platform to find work, others are not as trustworthy. One site that notoriously underpays it’s VAs is Virtual Gal Friday.
Another site, Fancy Hands, is known for having low pay rates and strict time limits. Skills Needed for a VA Job:
Working as a VA can be challenging yet rewarding.
Most VA jobs require specific skills, such as calendar management, typing, transcription, proofreading, social media management, graphic design, digital marketing, data entry, research, project management, customer support, accounting, and bookkeeping. Examples of VA Jobs for Beginners:
If you’re new to the VA space, there are plenty of jobs available to help you build experience.
A general VA job can include overseeing the daily administrative tasks of the employer, such as answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, sending emails, and handling simple data entry tasks. For personal assistant work, you’ll likely be managing the employer’s day to day activities, such as running errands, personal shopping, managing finances, and other household tasks.
A data entry VA job will mostly entail inputting data and maintaining databases.
Fiverr:
Fiverr is a freelance marketplace that connects buyers with service providers.
Sellers on Fiverr offer many services, such as graphic design, writing, web development, and, most importantly, VA services. Unlike other freelance platforms, Fiverr doesn’t require top bidders or lengthy contracts, making it an ideal choice for freelancers to pick up a one-time job or building a long-term relationship with clients.
Benefits of Working on Fiverr:
One significant advantage of working as a VA on Fiverr is the flexibility it provides. Freelancers can manage their work schedule, workload, and time, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a part-time gig.
Fiverr connects sellers globally, providing a vast range of clients that VAs can collaborate with, resulting in a broadening of skills and experiences. Virtual Assistant Jobs on Fiverr:
Fiverr offers a wide range of VA jobs, which are ideal for building experience, charging more and getting repeat clients.
Since it’s a freelance marketplace, VA tasks vary widely, from simple data entry and calendar management to complex project management and social media marketing. In conclusion, the VA job space offers great opportunities to make a decent income by providing virtual administrative support to businesses or individuals.
Whether you’re new to the space or looking to add to your portfolio, there are various VA jobs available to suit your skill set and experience level. Remember to use reliable websites, have the required equipment and software, and develop the essential skills to succeed.
3) FlexJobs:to FlexJobs:
FlexJobs is an online job platform that provides legitimate opportunities for people seeking flexible, part-time, or remote work. The platform has been in existence since 2007 and has earned a reputation for its vast range of job categories and hassle-free user experience.
For individuals looking to transition into the virtual assistant job space, FlexJobs is an excellent place to start. FlexJobs is an ideal platform because it provides a time-saving solution for individuals who want to find reliable assistant jobs.
The filter feature is the platform’s most exceptional feature since it allows job seekers to easily find the position they’re looking for based on their expertise and experience. Beginner Virtual Assistant Jobs on FlexJobs:
As a beginner virtual assistant, FlexJobs is an excellent place to start since it provides a range of beginner-friendly VA jobs.
VA jobs on FlexJobs typically range from part-time to full-time opportunities, and most can be done remotely. Remote work is a significant advantage, as it provides more flexibility and autonomy over one’s work schedule.
Sorting Jobs by Experience Required:
FlexJobs’ platform provides a helpful filter feature that allows job seekers to sort jobs by experience required. That way, job seekers can focus on assistant jobs they qualify for and optimize their job search.
FlexJobs also has a vast range of job categories, so it’s easy to find jobs related to specific skill sets or interests. 4) Belay:
Features of Belay:
Belay is an established leader in the virtual assistant job space, providing an excellent career start for individuals who want to transition into the virtual space.
Belay offers VA jobs across various industries, providing opportunities to work with different companies and businesses. The company partners with startups, small businesses, and established companies to offer competitive rates and a range of exciting projects.
The platform’s registration and application process are simple, and new hires receive all the necessary training needed to perform their roles successfully. Belay is well-known for its excellent customer service; there’s always someone ready to assist virtual assistants in accomplishing their job goals.
Minimum Hourly Pay:
Belay offers competitive rates that range from $18-$22 per hour, making it a top choice for virtual assistants who want to earn a decent income. Unlike other platforms that pay lower rates, Belay’s minimum pay rate ensures that virtual assistants won’t compromise on their earnings.
Belay’s rates are higher than most virtual assistance platforms because of the quality of work and training provided. The company takes pride in offering top-notch services to its clients and expects the same level of commitment from its virtual assistants.
In conclusion, FlexJobs and Belay are among the top platforms to find legitimate and reliable virtual assistant jobs. Both provide a range of beginner-friendly jobs for job seekers looking to build a career in the virtual world.
It’s important to note that while virtual assistant jobs require a range of skills, most platforms have jobs that cater to specific skill sets. Utilizing FlexJob’s filter feature or applying to jobs that match one’s skill set on Belay can boost one’s chances of landing their desired job.
Ultimately, both platforms offer decent pay, and virtual assistants can earn a steady income while working from the comfort of their homes. 5) 24/7 Virtual Assistant:
Job Description for 24/7 Virtual Assistant:
24/7 Virtual Assistant provides administrative assistance to businesses or individuals seeking virtual assistance services.
The platform offers virtual assistant jobs that include tasks such as answering phone calls, responding to emails, scheduling appointments, and providing transcription services. The aim is to create a flexible work life that allows businesses to save both time and money.
Additional Skills for Higher Pay:
To earn higher pay as a virtual assistant on 24/7 Virtual Assistant, one needs to have additional skills that make them more marketable. The platform provides an opportunity for virtual assistants who have graphic design or web development skills to earn more.
Such skills are essential for creating visually appealing designs or developing creative and responsive websites. Highlighting additional skills when applying for virtual assistant jobs can help increase the chances of earning higher pay.
Serving International Clients:
A unique feature of 24/7 Virtual Assistant is that the platform serves clients worldwide. Virtual assistants that possess fluency in languages other than English are a priority.
Fluency in languages such as Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Portuguese can give virtual assistants an edge in providing better services to non-English speaking clients. This can lead to the development of long-term working relationships with clients and an increase in earnings.
6) Vicky Virtual:
Vicky Virtual’s VA Services:
Vicky Virtual provides virtual receptionist services to a range of small businesses. The platform offers US residents an opportunity to work remotely as virtual assistants.
The aim of the platform is to help small business owners streamline their communications with clients and customers. Qualifications for Virtual Receptionist Job:
To be successful in a virtual receptionist job on Vicky Virtual, one needs to have excellent typing skills, communication skills, phone experience, and customer service experience.
The receptionist’s role entails answering phone calls on behalf of businesses, scheduling appointments, providing administrative support, and managing travel arrangements. Experience in these areas is essential to delivering quality services to clients.
Target Audience for Vicky Virtual:
Vicky Virtual’s target audience is small businesses looking to outsource their receptionist services. Such businesses include law firms, real estate agencies, e-commerce sites, and healthcare clinics that need to keep in touch with customers and clients around the clock.
Outsourcing to Vicky Virtual ensures they receive professional and competent customer service without having to worry about budgeting for a full-time receptionist. In conclusion, 24/7 Virtual Assistant and Vicky Virtual are two platforms that offer excellent virtual assistant services.
24/7 Virtual Services provide administrative assistance to businesses worldwide, while Vicky Virtual targets US-based small businesses seeking outsourcing solutions for receptionist services. To be successful in any virtual assistant job, it’s essential to have the necessary skills and qualifications for a given position.
On both platforms, having additional skills and fluency in languages other than English can lead to higher pay and more significant opportunities. Ultimately, these two platforms offer great opportunities for US-based virtual assistants to work remotely and earn decent incomes while providing essential services to businesses.
7) Upwork:
Significance of Upwork for Gig Workers:
Upwork is a popular platform for freelancers seeking work in the virtual assistant space. Upwork provides an excellent opportunity for gig workers to find legitimate freelance virtual assistant jobs.
The platform connects businesses with a range of skilled virtual assistants, making it easier for companies to find the talent they need. Pay Rates for Beginner VAs:
Upwork allows beginner virtual assistants to start earning money for their services immediately.
On the platform, new virtual assistants can earn an hourly rate of $7-$15. It’s important to note that pay rates will differ based on the job type, experience level, and the length of the project.
Skills for Freelance VAs on Upwork:
Small business owners are a significant segment of Upwork’s target audience. Therefore, freelance virtual assistants that possess skills related to web development, social media marketing, and content creation are in high demand.
These skills are essential in helping small businesses establish an online presence and increase their reach to a broader audience. Hourly Pay for Experienced VAs on Upwork:
As with any job, the more experienced one is, the more one can earn.
Experienced virtual assistants on Upwork can earn an hourly rate ranging from $25-$40. Experienced VAs often possess extensive knowledge in a particular field, are efficient, and can complete tasks quickly.
8) Time Etc.:
Description of Time Etc.:
Time Etc. is a virtual assistant company based in the US and the UK that provides administrative support services to clients around the world.
The company hires virtual assistants and matches them with clients seeking administrative assistance for their businesses. Starting Hourly Rate:
Time Etc.
offers a starting hourly rate of $13 for virtual assistants. This is an excellent starting point for individuals looking to establish themselves in the virtual assistant job space.
The company also offers opportunities to earn extra remuneration through bonuses and raises based on the amount and quality of work the virtual assistant completes. Pay Increase Opportunities:
Virtual assistants that work with Time Etc.
also have opportunities for pay increases based on the length of time they’ve been with the company. The company rewards its virtual assistants for consistently delivering high-quality work and placing emphasis on building long-term relationships with clients.
Requirements for Executive Assistant Jobs:
Time Etc. offers executive assistant jobs that require 5-8 years of experience in a senior-level administrative assistance role.
Executive assistants on the platform are tasked with providing support to clients’ top executives and performing high-level administrative tasks. Therefore, experience and a high level of expertise are a must-have requirement for EA jobs on Time Etc.
In conclusion, Upwork and Time Etc. are great platforms that provide excellent opportunities for individuals seeking virtual assistant jobs.
Upwork connects freelancers with a range of skills and experience levels to businesses, while Time Etc. matches virtual assistants with clients worldwide.
Pay rates for virtual assistants on both platforms vary, dependent on experience levels, project length, and type. It’s essential for virtual assistants to possess necessary skills related to web development, social media marketing, and content creation to increase their chances of landing jobs on these platforms.
Experienced virtual assistants should highlight their expertise and efficiency when bidding on Upwork to increase their chances of securing higher-paying jobs.