The COVID-19 pandemic caused many US employees to switch from onsite to at-home employment. Some required significant adjustments to maintain their productivity. However, those working as virtual assistants had no issues or changes to their routines.
Virtual assistants are independent contractors who provide the services of an onsite assistant remotely. They take on multiple tasks and access calendars, software and sensitive documents. If you want to know how to become a virtual assistant, how much you can make and how to stand out among applicants, you’re on the right page.
These top ten tips will show you how to become a virtual assistant with no experience. With some skill-building and planning, you can make forward-thinking decisions that help you build a promising career.
Stand out with Technological Know-how
If you want to stand out, you must be tech-savvy and prove it. Today’s emerging technologies help streamline your workflow and manage your client’s business. Hiring managers are also more apt to shortlist applicants who know their way around software and have basic IT skills.
Staying up-to-date gives you an edge over those with basic knowledge who do not regularly upskill. You can search for online articles or subscribe to industry-specific magazines and blogs that highlight new tech to do this effectively. You can also download free demos if a program captures your attention – and end up using it for your work as well.
Seek Certification and Training Workshops
Multiple workshops and certification programs exist to strengthen your skills as a virtual assistant. These can be onsite or completely remote, depending on logistics and time constraints.
Certifications give you recognized credibility, while workshops teach you essential skills that help you manage clients more efficiently.
Among the perks of training and certification is that they keep you current with industry-specific knowledge. Modern approaches to virtual assistance make you a valuable candidate for contemporary-minded companies and employers.
Fine-tune Your Communication Skills
You’ll be working with multiple people daily using different modes of communication. Professional virtual assistants engage effortlessly, and their communication skills lead to tangible results.
Knowing when to avoid specific phrases, updating your vocabulary, and learning to listen when the client needs you to will make a solid impression in the long run.
Exude an Air of Trust and Competence
To establish yourself as a valuable virtual assistant, prioritize exuding an air of competence and being someone your client trusts.
You’ll manage confidential information and be part of a team that relies on you to facilitate business functions. If they can’t trust you, they won’t want you to manage their work, and they will take their business elsewhere.
Make Sure You Have the Right Setup
Many people only want to know how to be a virtual assistant but forget to have the proper setup before starting this career path. Your home office doesn’t have to be an elaborate or cluttered space, but you should have more than the basics down to truly stand out. We’ve compiled a simple list of hardware and software to get you started.
The Hardware
- Powerful desktop or laptop
- Desk and chair that stay comfortable after long periods of use
- High-speed internet connection and a backup if possible
- Phone connection with a strong signal
- High-quality, noise-canceling headset
- Printer
The Software
- Professional cloud software and backup storage space
- Accounting and time-tracking software
- Editing and grammar software
- Security and encryption software
Improve – and Flex – Your Marketing Skills
Virtual assistants must understand effective marketing strategies and what tools and avenues make the most impact. For example, your client may want you to write a newsletter or create an email campaign. If you can’t access the data and metrics or don’t know how to analyze them, the client won’t reach their goal. Continually improve your marketing skills to get better virtual assistant job offers. It’s an ability you can use to your advantage, especially on your resume and during an interview.
Virtual assistants may not consistently market for a client – but they certainly need to market themselves.
Tailor Your Resume to Match What Employers Seek
When it comes to a quality resume, it’s not about how many skills you can cram together but about incorporating terms that stand out to an employer. After doing your research and understanding the client that you’ll work with, tailor your resume based on the skills they seek and value.
For instance, a company heavily involved in public relations and marketing appreciates candidates with those skills, even if not explicitly mentioned on a job post. Highlighting previous PR or marketing-related work on a resume increases your chances of success.
Familiarize Yourself with HR functions
While you don’t have to have experience in Human Resources to become a virtual assistant, having basic HR knowledge improves your chances of getting hired. It also helps protect you and your client if you notice something amiss. For example, suppose you see an error on sensitive documents with legal implications. In that case, you can rectify the issue before submitting them.
Remember That You Still Need People Skills
Having people skills is more than being a good communicator. Emotional intelligence, how to read a room, being sensitive to people’s needs and respecting others are integral to your job.
You don’t have to be everyone’s favorite person, but you do want to be the person who doesn’t offend clients and their employees.
Socially acceptable language, ease when working with diverse employees, and emotional insight in today’s professional environment are crucial to success. A little charisma, likeability and tact go a long way when you work with people – and they deliver when you aim for a promotion.
Aim High from The Get-go
We kept this one for last because it sets a developmental and positive framework for establishing a solid career and reputation. If you want to stand out as a heavyweight with an impressive list of reputable clients, you have to want to improve.
According to the most recent wage search through the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average virtual assistant salary in the US is $41,000. However, the highest earners can make up to $160,000 annually.
Mention during the interview that your goals stretch beyond managing calendars and that you seek to cover business functions that the client needs. You can search for weaknesses in the company’s strategy before your interview and offer improvement solutions while you’re there.
Get Started With Rocket Resume
Once you establish a positive reputation, gain marketable skills, and make the right connections, you’ll be a desirable candidate that hiring managers want. To make an impression from the beginning, you need a resume that facilitates the process so you can focus on what’s important.
Rocket Resume is your solution for building high-quality, custom resumes tailored to your specific job search. Rocket Resume templates not only look and read professionally to human eyes – they pass Applicant Tracking Systems, too. Are you looking for a virtual assistant resume that grabs attention and helps you land a high-quality position? Build your resume with Rocket Resume today.