Virtual assistant is self-employed worker that specialize in offering administrative services to clients from a remote location, generally home office. A typical task that virtual assistants can perform including schedule appointments, make phone calls, make travel arrangements, and manage the email account.
People hired that virtual assistant who has experience of more than a few years as office managers or administrative assistants. The new opportunity is available for the virtual assistant who is skilled in the writing of blog posts, content management, social media, graphic designing, and internet marketing. Works from home have become accepted for employers as well as for workers. The demands for skilled virtual assistants are increasing.
How Virtual Assistants Work?
The virtual assistant has become a more prominent small business. Most startups depend on the virtual office to keep the cost down and businesses of all sizes increase the use of the internet for daily operation. However, virtual assistants are independent contractors. So, businesses do not need to provide the benefit and pay taxes like for full-time employees.
Because virtual assistants work offsite. Therefore, there is no need for desks or other workspaces in the office of the company. They must have computer equipment, normally used software programs, and the high-speed service of the internet.
Duty of Virtual Assistant
Duties of them differ depending on the requirement of clients and the term of contracts. Few of them handle the task related to bookkeeping and clerical. Others can post the regular update to social media and write the article for blogs. They can also manage the arrangements regarding traveling, scheduling of appointments, data entries, and file storage online.
Qualification of Virtual Assistant
Here are no hard-and-fast requirements related to education for becoming virtual assistants. Numerous clients search for those who have some higher education or some specialized training. However, some online company and community college offers different courses and certification related to the skills of virtual assistants.
It must be that person who has information related to current technologies, having the general skills of computer and a higher level of proficiency with normally used software and business program.
Advantages of Virtual Assistants
One advantage for clients of hiring them is the flexibility to contract for a service which they want. They mostly paid by tasks instead of by hours it all depends on the term of the agreement. On the other hand, an employee in the conventional offices generally paid for the fixed number of the hour per day.
Owners hire virtual assistants for small businesses, which help them in their free hours to focus on the growth of businesses and generating revenues. For skilled persons, it is easy and cost-effective than outsource a task that is time-consuming and tedious.
How a Virtual Assistant hired?
As the number of freelancers increased who work from home. Therefore, the employment markets (web-based companies) are proliferated which act as intermediaries between the potential employer and contractor. Some freelancer site has a huge workload from all over the world. On those websites, clients post the details about the type of task which they want the virtual assistants to perform. In the end, they are willing to pay the maximum rate to freelancers for completing their tasks. Freelancers bids on the job and show their work samples for reviews to clients. In some cases, clients made a video conference for interviewing the applicant for a thorough assessment of their qualifications.
Special Consideration
Clients must ensure the smooth working of them through creating detailed instructions related to a task which they want to have performed, before hiring the virtual assistants. Written manuals can reduce the risk of misunderstanding that could occur in remote working relationships.
Where beginners can find Virtual Assistants Jobs?
To help them in their job search, here rounded up the websites which are an excellent resource for beginner virtual assistants.
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Fancy hands
Fancy hands focuses mainly on the smaller task from fifteen to twenty minutes to complete. It is a great platform for a beginner not for seasonal freelancers.
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VANetworking.com
VANetworking.com is for both experienced and beginner VA. It is the perfect place for learning ins and outs of virtual assisting and networking with the employer.
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Upwork
Upwork is the largest freelance platform. It has the virtual assistant job for all the experienced level. You have to bid on the proposals to find the jobs. Upwork, take ten percent of the payment you receive. A positive review and consistent work, lead to building your name on this platform.
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oDesk
oDesk is for the beginner which has no experience. It is a perfect easy job that quickly builds the portfolio.
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Indeed
Indeed.com based on the conventional in-office role. It is posting more remote and VA jobs daily. Just verify that include the virtual or remote keyword in your search.
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99 Dollar Social
99 Dollar Social focused on social media VA. You could work for this site directly and get paid per month per account. More money you can earn by having more accounts.
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Time Etc
Time Etc hires people with five years’ experience of work. It could be the best job for that person who has experience in office administration.
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Vicky Virtual
It focuses mainly on phone work like answer phone calls, assisting the caller, booking the appointment, and carrying out the general administrative task.
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Belay
Belay is one of the well-known platforms, so it required the VA to have a minimum of five years of experience. It preferred that people which have the degree of bachelor and experience in remote work. Belay is a great website where you can transform from an in-office to a virtual role.
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Zirtual.com
Zirtual.com is a VA company that eliminates the need for finding your client. You do not need to manage the administrative sides of your businesses. You subjected to pay on this platform, rather than setting your rate.
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Virtual Assistant Forums
It connects the VA with the potential employer. Opportunities on this site vary each day. It is a good place for connecting the employer with the top virtual assistant.
How VA get established?
Searching for the first VA job might be the major hurdle. But when you gain experience on resumes then you can hired for the additional works and it becomes easier for freelancers. As you build the resumes and grow the client lists, you will be able to pay at higher rates, and chances to win better contracts will be increased. So, give time, works hard, and ultimately you will have a solid VA business in no time for yourself.
