Virtual Administrative Assistant Jobs: Roles, Pay, and How to Land One
Administrative assistant positions are the very foundation of the virtual administrative assistant business as the essential office admin work that is carried out entirely online. They are often the most accessible way into becoming a virtual administrative assistant since the requirements for this job share many similarities with the classic office administration ones. Let’s find out more about it.
What a Virtual Administrative Assistant Does
This job entails the day-to-day functioning of the business organization instead of performing tasks that are highly specialized such as marketing or accounting. Some of the tasks may involve:
- Managing emails and calendars
- Creating documents and formatting (reports, proposals, letters)
- Entering data into databases
- Planning meetings and logistics coordination
- Handling basic communication with customers or vendors
- Filing and maintaining digital records
- Creating basic reports and spreadsheets
The job requires a generalist profile, and businesses hire VA administrative assistants to remove mundane activities from their schedule.
Who Hires Virtual Administrative Assistants
- Entrepreneurs dealing with too many operational concerns on their own
- Real Estate agents and Consultants balancing logistics for their clients
- Start-ups that cannot afford to hire a full-time office manager
- Companies that supplement their internal administrative teams during peak times
Skills That Matter Most
- Good writing skills (communication primarily takes place via email/chats)
- Familiarity with Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office
- Basics of using tools for project management (Asana, Trello, Monday.com)
- Details matter – mistakes (incorrect meeting times, filing documents incorrectly) directly affect client’s time and money spent
- Managing time when working on different tasks
Typical Pay Range
VA salary is determined by their experience and location and is between $12-$25/hour for the generic work of an administrative assistant and above average if the VA possesses the ability to perform administration plus the specialty add-on.
Where to Find These Jobs
- Job posting websites: Indeed, LinkedIn, FlexJobs, We Work Remotely
- Recruitment firms: Belay, Time Etc, Worldwide101
- Freelancing sites: Upwork (try to search for “administrative assistant” rather than “virtual assistant”)
- Contacting small companies in sectors where you’ve worked as an administrative assistant
How to Stand Out as a Candidate
1. Lead with Prior Administrative Experience
Start off with previous administrative experience, regardless of whether it was remote; it’s relevant.
2. Highlight Specific Software Skills
Specify what software applications have been used (e.g., MS Word, PowerPoint), not just “Microsoft Office.”
3. Emphasize Reliability and Discretion
Relevance of reliability and discretion, particularly for schedule and communications that may be sensitive.
4. Showcase Any Additional Skills
In case you possess any related specialty (basic accounting, social media, design), highlight it as an added advantage, as it sets you apart from other candidates who are solely generalists.
Final Thoughts
Virtual administrative assistants jobs are among the easiest and most sought-after areas of remote working because almost every firm needs someone to perform routine tasks for which there’s no need in any specialized knowledge, only punctuality and ability to organize things. If you have ever done an administrative office job, switching to remote work will be mostly about demonstrating your communication skills.