What is a virtual assistant?
A VA (virtual assistant) is a skilled and professional independent contractor who offers services virtually/remotely typically from a home office. These services can range from creative designs to administrative needs like data entry or topic research. If it can be done remotely, more than likely a VA can help assist.
What qualifications are required to become a VA?
There are no hard-and-fast education requirements, each VA is unique with their qualifications. I personally have a background in various administrative roles which include inventory analyst, scheduling coordinator, market researcher, and administrative assistant. I also have a certification in Business Management. I am also working on an extensive course designed for virtual assistants. This course provides resources to learn new tools and improve soft skills so that I can better help my clients.
What skills does a virtual assistant have?
Every virtual assistant is a unique individual with different work experience and levels. There is no “one true way” of the virtual assistant world.
It’s important to understand the task that you need to delegate to your VA. Do you need someone to contact your clients? Then perhaps a VA with great communication skills is required? Does your task revolve around data? If so, I would make sure that they are detail oriented. Your task will dictate the type of VA needed.
When searching for a VA there are three types: functional, self-management and special knowledge.
Functional skills are abilities or talents that are inherited at birth and developed through experience and
Learning, or life skills. Examples are making decisions, repairing machines, or calculating taxes.
Self-management skills are the behaviors you have developed in learning to cope with your
environment and the people and conditions in it. Examples are being energetic, determined,
resourceful or dependable.
Special knowledge skills are those having to do with mastering a specific body of information related to
a particular type of work, profession, occupation, educational, leisure activity, or technical specific. Examples are accounting, catering, or real-estate brokering.
Each VA is different. As for me, these are a few of the skills that I own.
Functional: Organized, analytical, written communication, resourcefulness
Self-management: Patient, understanding, results-oriented, independent, dependable
Knowledge -based: Administration, inventory, computer software skills such as Microsoft Office.
If there is a skill you need that I don’t possess, I will gladly learn it. If it completely out of my wheelhouse, I have a resource I can send and/or help you find the right person for the job.
It’s important to understand the task that you need to delegate to your VA. Do you need someone to contact your clients? Then perhaps a VA with great communication skills is required? Does your task revolve around data? If so, I would make sure that they are detail oriented. Your task will dictate the type of VA needed.
When searching for a VA there are three types: functional, self-management and special knowledge.
Functional skills are abilities or talents that are inherited at birth and developed through experience and
Learning, or life skills. Examples are making decisions, repairing machines, or calculating taxes.
Self-management skills are the behaviors you have developed in learning to cope with your
environment and the people and conditions in it. Examples are being energetic, determined,
resourceful or dependable.
Special knowledge skills are those having to do with mastering a specific body of information related to
a particular type of work, profession, occupation, educational, leisure activity, or technical specific. Examples are accounting, catering, or real-estate brokering.
Each VA is different. As for me, these are a few of the skills that I own.
Functional: Organized, analytical, written communication, resourcefulness
Self-management: Patient, understanding, results-oriented, independent, dependable
Knowledge -based: Administration, inventory, computer software skills such as Microsoft Office.
If there is a skill you need that I don’t possess, I will gladly learn it. If it completely out of my wheelhouse, I have a resource I can send and/or help you find the right person for the job.
What services does a virtual assistant provide?
The specific duties of a virtual assistant vary according to the client's needs and the contract's terms. Some virtual assistants handle clerical tasks, while others may post regular social media updates. A VA may also handle travel arrangements, appointment scheduling, data entry, email management, and online file storage.