How to Become a Virtual Assistant
There's a good chance that you may have heard the term "virtual assistant" used from time to time in the modern working world. For a lot of people, this can be something of a confusing term that conjures images of a digital assistant inside your phone. However, that's not what a virtual assistant actually is. The truth is that virtual assistants are an essential part of the modern workforce and working as a virtual assistant has the potential for a great deal of personal career growth and success.
Heres, you'll learn exactly what a virtual assistant is, what it is that a virtual assistant does, how you can become a virtual assistant, and how you can get the most out of a career as a virtual assistant.
What is a Virtual Assistant?
It might seem rather obvious to say it out loud but the reality is that a virtual assistant is simply an assistant who works remotely. Rather than working within a specific office setting, virtual assistants are able to do all of their duties remotely from home. This is something that came about due to the rise of the internet and digital technologies. More and more employers realized that an employee did not need to actually be in the office to get their work done and this led to the rise of the virtual assistant.
Most of the time, virtual assistants are especially useful for solo entrepreneurs or small startups that need the help and support with things like administrative tasks but don't necessarily have the need or the budget for a fully established office. However, it's also something that a lot of larger businesses are starting to realise the benefits of in the digital age, especially in the current climate of COVID-19 and social distancing. This means that there are more and more opportunities appearing all the time for people who want to find work as a virtual assistant.
How Does a Virtual Assistant Work?
One thing that sets virtual assistants apart from their more traditional counterparts is the fact that they often work as contractors rather than as dedicated employees. In fact, a lot of virtual assistants actually run their own home-based business. This means that rather than directly employing a virtual assistant, a lot of companies will hire a virtual assistant by signing a contract with that assistant's business.
Of course, it's also entirely possible that a virtual assistant will work as an employee for a company and be hired directly. They may also work as freelancers through various freelance sites and services, jumping from client to client in short-term contracts. The direction that you choose to take your career as a virtual assistant is going to depend on a number of personal factors.
What Services Does a Virtual Assistant Provide
Essentially, a virtual assistant provides all of the same services that any other member of support staff might provide. For a long time, there were significant limits on what a virtual assistant could actually do. However, thanks to new developments in technology those barriers have come down. You might be able to bring your client or employer a cup of coffee in the morning as a virtual assistant, but instead, you can place an order for food and drinks through a delivery service.
Virtual assistants may also be required to wear a number of different hats. They will obviously be there to help with clerical work but you may also be called upon to help with things like marketing, bookkeeping, and any number of other services. Having a specific skillset is great but it's also important to have a broad understanding of various business processes.
How to Start a Virtual Assistant Job
When you decide to start your own business as a virtual assistant, the first thing to figure out is what kind of service you want to offer. Figure out if you're going to specialize in certain tasks or take a broader approach. Then you need to be sure that you know which market you're getting into, ensure you're meeting all of the right licencing laws, and start networking to find clients.
The role of a virtual assistant is a career path that is very much tied to the rise of digital media and its significant role within the modern world of work and business. This means that, while there are more and more opportunities for a virtual assistant appearing all the time, there is also a great deal more competition that you will have to be aware of. As with any career, if you want to find success and a virtual assistant, you need to be willing to work for it.
