Virtual assistant (Virtueel Assistent)
Information on this skill...
A virtual assistant is an administrative and communication employee who helps entrepreneurs with all kinds of hand and span services, if they do not get to this type of work themselves. A well-known abbreviation for virtual assistant is also called VA. The virtual assistant is usually a self-employed person, who works from home. The virtual assistant therefore helps other entrepreneurs with various things, such as making phone calls, answering e-mail, sending fax, administrative services and whatever else one can think of. A virtual assistant can often be deployed from a few hours a week and has a flexible attitude towards the customers. The profession of virtual assistant can be seen as a combined position, in which various disciplines coincide, such as the professions of administrative assistant, telephone operator and the position of invoicer. Which activities an assistant performs exactly can differ per client and is otherwise personal. Due to the rise of modern means of communication, in many cases it is no longer necessary for people to work in the office. The assistant is also someone who in many cases works from home. A good assistant can serve multiple clients for which he or she works. Especially with the emergence of many new entrepreneurs, the demand for good virtual assistants has increased. A virtual assistant can help these entrepreneurs in various ways. A virtual assistant can also help entrepreneurs with other matters than just administrative matters. For example, think of an assistant who will also manage the social media accounts for entrepreneurs. Being active on social media is important for many entrepreneurs, but can also be a lot of work. If an entrepreneur does not feel like or has time to manage the various accounts, a good virtual assistant can also take over these tasks in consultation with the client.
Which tasks the virtual assistant performs exactly for entrepreneurs is in mutual consultation. For example, it may be that an entrepreneur does not want to be called at all during the day, because this disturbs his daily work. In that case, the entrepreneur in question will receive a daily email from the virtual assistant with all the important points. Entrepreneurs can also outsource the preparation of quotations to the virtual assistant. In that case, the assistant needs all relevant information from the entrepreneur to be able to do this. The preparation of quotations can easily be outsourced to virtual assistants, and offered to the entrepreneur for verification before he goes to the post. In that respect, a virtual assistant can also be regarded as a contract manager. Other work that can generally be done well by the virtual assistant is the preparation of invoices. As described earlier, a virtual assistant can in most cases also be regarded as an administrator. In that case, the virtual assistant is responsible, for example, for posting messages on social media channels and for responding to messages as a moderator. It is also conceivable that a virtual assistant is responsible for maintaining websites. In that case, the virtual assistant may also be considered a writer and/or copywriter.
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT WORK
As indicated earlier, the virtual assistant must in many cases be seen as a supporting employee, who can perform all common activities for entrepreneurs. It is therefore perfectly conceivable that the virtual assistant can also be regarded as an online marketer for various entrepreneurs. Quite a few entrepreneurs themselves do not have the knowledge or do not feel like carrying out this type of work. The entrepreneurs understand that marketing is important. For these types of entrepreneurs, the virtual assistant can be an important support. What exactly a virtual assistant performs for an entrepreneur can differ per entrepreneur.
MOST REQUESTED EXPERTISE VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
There are various activities that apply a lot. Think in particular of working as a freelance office supporter, supporting operational business processes or maintaining contact with existing and new customers. In addition, you can also be responsible for marketing or actively working on brand awareness. Management assistants and administrative staff are also often used as support professionals. In some cases, the name personal assistant may apply. Depending on the assignment, online marketing can play an important role. Online marketing is important for entrepreneurs. Online marketing involves many factors, and can certainly relate to sales. In many cases, you will be working from home and not in the office. There are several specialists who can work as assistants. Think, for example, of an online marketer or a graphic designer.
VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT ARE:
- Answering emails
- Answering phone calls
- Managing social media channels
- Drawing up quotations and invoices
- Requesting information for entrepreneurs
- Writing texts for websites
- Performing general administrative work
- Carrying out marketing
- Taking care of the accounting
WHAT DOES A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
There are no training opportunities for the position or the virtual assistant service through ordinary schools. The virtual assistant position is usually performed by someone who has a lot of experience in the field of administration, such as an administrative assistant or a secretary who works as an independent entrepreneur. There are various courses offered to virtual assistant, which may be interesting for people. Furthermore, it is not possible to name a specific training, because working as an assistant is too general for that. Anyone can work as a virtual assistant, because there are no further obligations with regard to vocational training. Following a real education is usually not necessary. However, communication is really important for professionals. How you easily attract customers has a lot to do with communication. A broad knowledge of administrative work is important as a virtual assistant. In addition, there are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an independent entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT CAN WORK
In general, a virtual assistant will have to be regarded as an entrepreneur. In most cases, a freelance assistant will work for various entrepreneurs and directors. Depending on the virtual assistant, it is perfectly conceivable that the virtual assistant also performs other activities for entrepreneurs. The virtual assistant function goes beyond just answering the phone or emails. Most assistants can also be seen as webcare employees and as webmasters.
COMPETENCES VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
The most important competence of a virtual assistant is communication, because the field largely revolves around communication. In addition, a commercial attitude can be expected from a virtual assistant. Another important competence is being able to network. Of course, as a virtual assistant, you must also have good general administrative skills. It is even conceivable that a virtual assistant can be regarded as an accountant. If you have a lot to do with general computer work, you will also need to have a thorough knowledge of the IT sector. It is important that you continue to work within your own field and use your strengths. Generally important words are service, representative, passion, energy, motivation, listening, stress resistance and cooperation.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
The labour market perspective of a virtual assistant is generally fairly good, because more and more entrepreneurs are using a virtual assistant. In addition, it is true that you can work as an assistant in a broad way. In other words, a virtual assistant can be used for many different activities. However, it is important as a virtual assistant to get enough assignments, because otherwise the position of virtual assistant cannot be seen as a full-time job. Real vacancies are not available. The position is too general for vacancies. As indicated earlier, most assistants also perform other activities. Growing as a virtual assistant should be seen in building a good name, which will increase the number of assignments. You may also be able to achieve this by automating work.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
As a virtual assistant, you naturally determine your own terms of employment, because you work as an independent entrepreneur. What exactly a virtual assistant earns is of course highly dependent on the number of assignments that you can win as a virtual assistant. However, it is true that you usually have to be able to collect enough assignments before you can make ends meet from this profession. Or you have to combine the work with other services. An assistant will not easily be employed by an employer.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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