As possibilities for work from home continue to grow, more individuals are looking for online jobs. Many have now entered the competitive remote work industry as virtual assistants in the Philippines.
Many business owners and employers have now learned to value virtual assistants. VAs lends a helping hand with time-consuming administrative tasks and free up valuable time for more important things.
More and more Filipinos are now leaving their regular office work to become virtual assistants.
And many more are wondering how to make the transition to online work. You may wonder if your skills and experience are fit to become a virtual assistant in the Philippines?
This post examines a virtual assistant's top skills and why they are essential.
Becoming a virtual assistant is not hard. But it's also not a walk in the park. You can't become a virtual assistant in an instant.
Even individuals with college degrees don't necessarily possess the abilities required in various virtual assistant jobs. It's not surprising since the traditional educational system has not contemplated online work.
But what's lovely to know is that you may acquire the skills to become a virtual assistant. You can teach yourself and develop the knowledge and skills you'll need to jumpstart a career as a virtual assistant.
What skills do you need to become a virtual assistant in the Philippines?
Let's check some of the skills necessary to perform various virtual assistant tasks.
Virtual Assistant Skills
Good communication skills
Excellent oral and writing skills are essential when working as a virtual assistant. Since there's no tangible physical contact, employers will depend on emails, phone conversations, and messaging platforms to communicate.
Clear writing and speaking skills will help establish effective communication lines with your employer. It will also quickly establish rapport between a virtual assistant and the employer.
Remember, communication is the foundation for an effective and successful remote work arrangement.
Virtual assistant duties responsibilities include preparing reports, email management, and coordination. These tasks all require excellent communication skills.
You will need to converse with your employer's customers efficiently. There would be times you'll liaise with your employer's suppliers and business partners.
It's no wonder communication skills will be the first thing potential employers will look for a candidate.
If you believe you aren't good at writing, registering for an online course would be an excellent way to improve. If you need to improve your speaking skills, practicing will not be wrong.
Word processing skills
Word processing is a fundamental virtual assistant task that you'll always do. It may include from the primary data input and typing to more complex ones like e-book making.
But word processing is not only about typing fast. It's also about the quality of what you process. You also need to maintain the accuracy and correctness of the processed information.
When clients submit requests, they want quick responses, and fast typing enables you to complete your duties effectively.
Most businesses seeking virtual assistants need at least a 60-word-per-minute typing speed with 100 percent accuracy. There are many free online programs available to assist you in testing or improving your typing skills.
Computer skills
Because all VA duties require the use of a computer, you must possess advanced computer skills. It should involve understanding how computers work, basic troubleshooting, and overall computer literacy.
It also requires working knowledge of essential productivity software like Microsoft Word and Excel. These are necessary programs for performing virtual assistant duties.
But computer skills for virtual assistants may not necessarily include more specialized skills like programming, coding, and other technical matters.
But a working understanding of things would be a big plus. As a virtual assistant, you may detect problems and propose solutions. These value-adding skills will make you an excellent addition to your employer's team.
Time-management skills
Time management is a critical skill for staying organized and being on top of everything. And a virtual assistant that does this well is meant for great success.
Excellent time management will make things easier. It will assist you in completing your tasks on time. It ensures proper observance of deadlines and timely submission of deliverables.
You can list your deliverables ahead of time. You need to set schedules with enough buffer for unforeseen events.
Given that a virtual assistant works from home, it's critical to operate in a distraction-free environment.
Ideally, it would help to keep your door closed to prevent being distracted by pedestrians or discussions down the corridor. Additionally, you may wear headphones to reduce noise.
You deliver results without sacrificing your time for personal affairs with proper time management.
Being virtual requires a little more self-control. Time management is a valuable skill that could make or break your virtual assistant career.
Once you've mastered coexisting with your job and your leisure, you'll be amazed at how much you can do in a single day.
Organizational skills
Good organizational skills are also essential since you may work on many distinct projects simultaneously for several customers. It will help if you keep tabs on critical things to make sure everything runs well.
Organized information will allow you to respond to your employer's needs more efficiently. Business owners often want assistance from an assistant to handle emails, passwords, customer information, birthday lists, holiday schedules, appointments, reminders, etc.
VAs may also manage the social media profiles of a business. Experienced virtual assistants have organized systems to monitor any significant progress and changes.
There could be many things on your plate. But being organized allows you to have a bird's eye view of everything. You know what's happening and how to respond.
And most of the time, a virtual assistant in the Philippines is usually hired to organize an employer's chaotic schedule and work life. You are there to organize things, tidy up confusing planners, and make sure to deliver results.
Detail-oriented
Virtual assistants must be detail-oriented and can capture errors before making them public or published. It applies to internet communication and other writing, like instant messaging, where mistakes may affect a business's professional image.
When working for an employer, virtual assistants must take measures to make sure that they understand and follow the client's directions.
The details you neglect to understand are often the consequences of errors. And the ability to point out mistakes ahead will be precious to your employer.
Your employer may not have time to review things. As a virtual assistant, it will be incumbent upon you to make sure everything is correct and proofed before finalizing.
Nobody wants to repeat everything all over again.
Accuracy is one thing. But missing small things like grammar and spelling would be appalling.
Independence
A business would benefit from highly-motivated virtual assistants who work independently with minimal supervision.
Management that enables its employees to use their independence and creativity to work without supervision may yield better results and achieve its objectives.
Because you work alone as a home-based virtual assistant, you must be able to work independently.
For some individuals, it is tough to work without direct supervision. It is especially true if you're used to being micromanaged from your regular office job.
But becoming a virtual assistant requires independence. You will have a list of tasks that you'll have to complete at specific deadlines.
With the remote setup, it is natural for independent-minded workers and self-starters to succeed as virtual assistants. Do not expect that your employer will micromanage you.
You have to step up and deliver results.
Learning skills
Being a fast learner is a great advantage in the virtual assistant industry. You need to do a broad range of tasks as a virtual assistant. Sometimes you'll have to follow instructional videos or step-by-step guides to complete tasks. Therefore, you need to be able to comprehend instructions and execute those instructions promptly.
To stay on top of your game as a virtual assistant, you'll constantly need to improve your learning abilities. You'll have to be quick in learning new skills.
You must understand things, learn how to use them, and deliver desirable results.
Each task or assignment could be a unique experience. And as a virtual assistant, you should be aware of learning curves and how you would advance your career.
You may enroll in several courses to hone your soft and technical abilities as a virtual assistant. Your efforts will pay off in the long term as you can leverage and negotiate a better compensation package based on your experience and knowledge.
Start Your Virtual Assistant Career With VirtualStaff.ph
VirtualStaff.ph has vast free resources for aspiring virtual assistants in the Philippines. Irrespective of your work experience, you need the skills above to find success as a virtual assistant in the Philippines.
Remember, to succeed; one must recognize our role as lifelong learners. We need to learn new skills constantly. Otherwise, our fast-changing work environment will leave us behind.
If you have decided to join a pool of Filipino virtual assistants, create your free account and look for thousands of online jobs that match your skills. VirtualStaff.ph is a groundbreaking job marketplace in the Philippines that will allow you to achieve financial freedom and work-life balance.
Takeaway
These are only a few of the most critical skills that any Filipino virtual assistant should possess or acquire. You may need to learn a few more skills along your journey.
But one thing is for sure. These skills will transform you from a beginner to a very effective virtual assistant. They are foundational skills that will jumpstart your career.
If you want to earn money in the comfort of your home as a virtual assistant, you have to work on shaping up these skills.
