Virtual Assistant Defined
A virtual assistant is an independent contractor that utilizes the technology of computers and the online world. The core competency of a virtual assistant lies on his or her technical skills in using different computer applications such as Microsoft Office, Adobe, and Multimedia softwares. As self-employed individuals, they have the advantage of working on a flexible schedule and in the comforts of their own homes. They work directly with their clients online and they correspond using different virtual communication devices like Skype, email, Web Messenger, and phone call conferences.
Where to find your virtual assistants?
Whether an individual employer or a company, they prefer to outsource work to virtual personal assitants working in call centers. The value of this strategy is to have efficient lines of communication, and where a business is using a team this is the best method of secure, recordable customer engagement and efficiency. The second approach is to work with an outsourcer who can supply you with an exact fit on your requirement of the personal assitant that you require. The third approach is to try a freelancer, but quality may or may not be exhited in the assitant that you choose – so you have more of risk that in the latter two.
The choice of outsourcer will also depend on whether you take one in a Western country like the UK, US, Australia or New Zealand for example, particulaly a firm that has call centers overseas in countries like the Philippines and India to name a few rather than you using a call center in an offshore country that may or may not have the quality that you are looking for. Foreign company certificates, notarized documents do not have the same weight as British or American law for example.
What are the types of work of Virtual Assistants?
They have the option to hire them full time or part time and they can also decide the time frame of the contract. Employers hire online assistants to distribute their workload by assigning specific work to different individuals depending on their specialization skills. This allows CEO’s or corporation heads to focus on their major duties and responsibilities to the company.
There are a wide variety of jobs available for virtual working assistants. Depending on your capabilities, work experiences, training and marketing strategy, you can absolutely find a decent work with professionals. There are two broad categories of online jobs. Assistants’ workload is usually composed of secretarial or administrative work. Most of the time, these contractors often give that extra mile to their most trusted employers and do both works at the same time.
Secretarial duties are tied to providing all around assistance to the employer. Here is a list of examples of secretarial works:
- Researching
- Data Entry
- File compilation
- Video Editing
- Writing Articles
- Video and Article Submission
- Making schedules and appointments
- Handling clients (especially when they became irate)
- Attending meetings
- Composing letters
- Booking travels of your employer
- And other tedious tasks such as ordering flowers and gifts
Administrative duties on the other hand are associated with supervising. As a supervisor, you deal with your boss, his other employees and his clients. Here is a list of administrative positions:
- Executive Assistant
- Project Manager
- Managing Director
- Administrating forums and/or web sites
- Updating software
- Managing applications
- Monitoring network security
- Monitoring workforce of a specific department
- Communication operator
All of these are just general descriptions of careers for virtual workers. Their expertise commonly lies in any of the following areas: Executive, Legal, Medical and Information and Technology areas. Some of the specialized jobs include:
- Customer Service Representative
- Sales Agent
- Technical Support Specialist
- Marketing assistant
- Web developer
- Software programmer
- Graphic designer
- Article writer
- Telesales
- Transcriptionist
- SEO specialist
- Accountant
- Human Resource Administrator
There are so much more to explore in the possible careers of a virtual assistant. You will be surprised at how many employers will compete for your skills and services. Be an online assistant today.
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