What do virtual assistants do
Virtual assistants wear many hats and play a key role in the day to day business operations of business owners, managers and entrepreneurs. Defining the role of a virtual assistant means understanding exactly what they do and how they do it. Working from off site locations, virtual assistants primarily work from home although a growing trend of business centers with multiple VA's working for multiple clients is on the rise.
Primarily, Virtual Assistants provide administrative, reception, sales and office support to clients. The work they do is as varied as the hours they keep; some assistants work long eight to twelve hour days for three or four more employers, while others only work several short hour shifts a week for a single business owner. One of the most lucrative and growing fields especially for work at home moms, starting a virtual assistant career is far more difficult than it initially appears.
Unlike administrative support staff who answer regular job advertisements and visit headhunters, existing and would be virtual assistants have to actively seek out and target potential clients. While Craigslist does provide some jobs for Virtual Assistants, most find clients through creating their own websites, perusing freelance job sites, joining virtual assistant support sites and communities, and plain old cold calling.
Skills needed for success in the virtual assistant field are top notch Administrative and software skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office is essential, and many VA's also have some web design and general accounting skills. Written skills in report writing, business correspondence and specialized skills in query writing and sales letters can help get additional jobs. Due to virtual assisting work being done almost completely online, advanced Internet search skills and skills in using Skype to communicate with both employers and their clients are essential.
The role of a virtual assistant may vary greatly from day to day. Some clients may be short term; those who need additional support staff during peak times of the year such as summer holidays and the Christmas season, and a good VA can find themselves with a lot of work during these season. Clients may be one time only; needing you to work on a single sales campaign, gathering client information through targeted web searches. Still others may be long term clients who need multiple emails sending out, while you simultaneously work on a thirty page spreadsheet for another business owner, and translate a memo from English to Spanish.
Many virtual assistants have made the switch from the nine to five commute to a real world office to working for several clients in a home based business. Others are commencing their careers as VA's through specialized training programs throughVirtual Assistant University, and may never work in an on site business. Irregardless of backgrounds, the role of a virtual assistant is essential to the success of many small and medium sized businesses and entrepreneurs who need someone to take care of the day to day administrative functions, and maintain key client relationships.
