How to Become a Virtual Assistant in the Philippines 2023
Step 1 – Assess your skills and qualifications
Step 2 – Create a professional resume and online presence
Step 3 – Search for virtual assistant job opportunities
“Step 4 – Polish your interview skills
Step 5 – Start working as a virtual assistant
What Skills Does a Virtual Assistant Need to Have?
- Time Management and Organization
- Communication
- Technical Skills
- Flexibility and Adaptability
- Problem Solving
More and more workers are transitioning into the VA world recently and it’s no wonder why. Being a work from home virtual assistant became even more prevalent when the global pandemic hit. And even in a post-COVID world, the number of VAs is still growing exponentially.
Well, with flexibility, work-life balance, independence, autonomy, diverse job opportunities, global reach, and a whole lot more, who wouldn’t want to become a virtual assistant in a VA agency? These factors make this career path increasingly and incredibly appealing.
Even businesses shift to remote work arrangements and executives no longer hire full-time office-based employees, thus the ever-growing demand for virtual assistants has increased. There’s one county in particular that’s become a hub for VAs due to its highly skilled workforce and competitive rates – the Philippines.
Are you tired of the 9 to 5? Do you want to double or even triple the current income you’re making at your corporate office? Do you want to save money from fares and escape the exhausting commute altogether? Well, it seems like becoming a virtual assistant in the Philippines would be great for you. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Step 1 – Assess your skills and qualifications
A lot of professionals that come from different industries usually think starting a career as a virtual assistant is like starting from scratch. Little do they know that the only difference between their previous work and a VA’s work is that it’s virtual. Meaning, if you came from the call center industry, you can work as a cold caller or anything that requires voice tasks.
That being said, before being pressured into how you’re completely clueless about becoming a VA, asses your skills and qualifications first. This includes communication, organization, time management, and computer literacy. Once you’re done assessing, you can determine which of these aligns with the requirements of a VA role.
The best thing about working as a VA is that your college degree isn’t the number one thing clients look for. It’s actually just an add-on that doesn’t really add much to your chances of getting hired or being successful in the freelancing world.
Step 2 – Create a professional resume and online presence
A lot of virtual assistants step up their game in the industry by updating their resumes, improving their online presence, and even creating online portfolios. Having an online portfolio makes it easier for potential clients to assess your work.
Not sure how to make one? Your Instagram page can be one. Your LinkedIn profile, too. There are also a lot of sites where you can create your portfolio from scratch. Don’t have anything to put into your portfolio yet? Many starting VAs offer free services in exchange for reviews or recommendations. With these, slowly build your portfolio until you can land stable, high-paying clients.
Step 3 – Search for virtual assistant job opportunities
There are several platforms for virtual assistant jobs online, such as Upwork, Freelancer, and Onlinejobs.ph. You can browse through job postings and apply to those that match your skills and qualifications. It’s important to read the job descriptions carefully and follow the instructions that come with them. Create a tailored cover letter and resume to increase your chances of getting hired.
Other than these platforms, you can also apply to agency VA jobs like VAT to kickstart your VA career. It’s a great way to learn the ways of a virtual assistant and get the feel of what it’s like. A lot of those who are just starting usually rely on VA agencies to give them the experience they need.
Step 4 – Polish your interview skills
Once you’ve found some job postings that you want to apply to, it’s time to polish your interview skills. When was the last time you were interviewed, anyway? Almost all clients will require interviews through video conferencing platforms such as Zoom or Skype. If it has been a while since you were last interviewed, it’s time to dust off the attic and practice your interview skills.
Other than knowing how to answer basic interview questions, make sure that you have a reliable internet connection and a quiet, distraction-free workspace for the interview. In fact, some clients will ask for photos of your workstation as part of their criteria for hiring. Remember to dress appropriately and prepare answers to questions that are related to your experience, skills, and availability.
Step 5 – Start working as a virtual assistant
Heads up: It might take you a while before you land a client unless you work with a virtual assistant company. But keep on searching and sending resumes. Don’t give up.
Once you’ve secured a VA job, don’t take it for granted. Show your work ethic by providing quality work and communicating effectively with your clients. Make sure you are clear on what the client expects from you and complete tasks on or before the deadline.
Another thing that’s very important as a VA is to be proactive and responsive to the client’s needs and feedback. Anticipate what their business needs and don’t wait for them to ask you to do something you can immediately do. Build a strong relationship with your clients and you’ll be able to build a reputation as a reliable and skilled VA. That’s how you retain your clients and even get referrals.
What Skills Does a Virtual Assistant Need to Have?
Step 1 of how to become a VA is to assess your skills and qualifications. We’ve made a list of the basic skills a VA should have in order to thrive in the industry. These are the virtual assistant services that you will be providing to your clients.
As a VA, you are expected to provide administrative, technical, and creative assistance to clients from remote locations. If you don’t have these skills yet, don’t worry because you can totally learn them by attending training and seminars.
Let’s discuss what essential skills are needed to become a successful VA.
Time Management and Organization
A lot of clients need a VA because they can’t keep up with the overwhelming tasks that involve management and organization. That’s why time management and organizational skills are two of the most important skills a VA must have.
It’s important to be able to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously. You’ll need to meet deadlines and deliver quality work while displaying time management skills by prioritizing tasks effectively.
Communication
Communication is key to keeping your clients happy. Whether verbal or written, a virtual assistant needs to be an excellent communicator. And not only in the manner of grammar or eloquence but also in a way of keeping your clients in the loop of what’s happening.
This means understanding their needs and delivering the work that they require. Plus, you’ll have to interact with clients and team members so you must have strong interpersonal skills as well.
Technical Skills
The first thing you need to learn as a VA is how to use a computer and the tools needed to start your career. You should know how various computer software and programs work. This includes having the technical knowledge and skills to work with email systems, project management software, and social media platforms.
You can definitely upskill either by learning a new skill or improving your current skills in order to increase your VA rate. If you didn’t have basic knowledge of website design, WordPress, or any other content management systems before, you can definitely find training programs that would allow you to learn these skills.
Research and Analysis
Another skill that you must possess as a VA is excellent research and analysis skills. These prove to be of great value to clients. They usually need assistance with researching potential clients, competitors, or industry trends. Knowing how to analyze the data and provide your clients with insights can help them make informed decisions, thus proving you are a valuable asset to the team.
Flexibility and Adaptability
If you want to become a virtual assistant in the Philippines, you should expect to work with clients from different industries, time zones, and cultures. It’s important that you know how to adapt to these differences in order to meet the needs of your clients accordingly.
Be flexible in your approach to work in order to accommodate the different needs of your clients. One more thing, be willing to learn and adapt to new tools, software, and processes quickly. Chances are, your client might ask you to learn new tools and software to help their business grow.
Problem Solving
Another important skill you should have as a VA is knowing how to solve problems by finding the best solutions. There will come a time when clients will approach you with problems that they need assistance with. Showcase your problem-solving skills to help them find an efficient and effective way to solve said problems.
It can be quite a daunting task to start your career as a VA but hopefully, with this guide, we have eased your fears and ignited your dreams. Although a VA needs to have a wide range of skills to succeed in their career, you can start by developing these skills as you go along the way.
Being a virtual assistant in the Philippines requires a combination of skills, qualifications, and a strong online presence. Applying to a recruitment agency for virtual assistants can be a great way to become a virtual assistant and work with a variety of clients. By following this guide, you can increase your chances of landing a position with a reputable VA agency and building a successful career in digital marketing service.
Want to kickstart your career as a rockstar virtual assistant? Be part of our Virtual Assistant Talent team now!
