5 Essential Skills to Be a Virtual Assistant
Being a virtual assistant is a rewarding position that can range from scheduling and administrative tasks to CRM software and social media management. These days, virtual assistants are some of the most in-demand jobs. Virtual assistants are the backbone of any company, but require a specific skill set and attitude. If you describe yourself as the below, you might have what it takes to be a virtual assistant.
1. Self-Starter
A virtual assistant must anticipate their client's needs and offer solutions accordingly. A good assistant can readily fix problems, but a great one can see and fix a problem before it comes up, saving everyone a lot of time and money.
Most virtual assistants track their own hours and tasks. On the one hand, that comes with a great deal of flexibility and freedom, but it requires someone with good time management skills. As with many work-from-home jobs, you are your own supervisor.
2. Organized
Keeping organized is a necessary skill set for all assistants. You're responsible for maintaining records in order and keeping track of future appointments and reports. An in-person administrative position might handle the physical keeping of records and documents, but these days, that work will be done and shared on the cloud.
Many of us feel that because we can close our computers at the end of the day, our files are "all in one place," but the digital landscape requires as much care and maintenance as a filing cabinet. It's essential to create systems that are easy to navigate for team members and use backups in an emergency.
3. Team Player
Listen to your team and what they need. Just because you're behind a computer screen doesn't mean you're not the face of the company. Even over email, you're often one of the first people clients contact to schedule an appointment or ask questions.
And for virtual assistants also doing social media management, it's even more important to keep a friendly, professional demeanor in all client interactions. That's not to say you should be a robot! People like others who are warm, inviting, kind, and authentic.
4. Tech-Savvy
Most virtual assistant positions require familiarity with programs like Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Outlook. These programs are necessary from day one to handle scheduling, keep up with the office inbox, and generate progress reports.
With many people working from home, professional Zoom scheduling has been added to the list of skills required for small businesses and large corporations alike. To stand out as a candidate, it might be a good idea to become familiar with these additional programs: Asana, Monday, HubSpot, PipeDrive, Canva, Adobe Suite, Dropbox, Meta Business, Mailchimp, Klaviyo, Squarespace, and Toggl.
5. Quick Study
Every assignment and client is different and often requires learning new methods and programs at the drop of a hat. We live in a rapidly changing world. Being a Virtual Assistant means quickly absorbing as much as possible and adapting accordingly.
Suppose you're new to administrative work or are transitioning to a work-from-home position and need help figuring out where to start. In that case, plenty of excellent online resources are available, including our website. Keep updated on our blog, where we'll explore programs and resources for businesses and virtual assistants. If you want to become a virtual assistant with The Productive Co., follow this link and apply today.