There is no denying the fact that virtual assistant positions have increased exponentially in recent years, and the reasons for this are obvious. Companies are able to receive flexible help at economical rates while employees have flexible, remote jobs.

However, “virtual assistant” is a term that is used to describe an extensive variety of tasks ranging from responding to e-mails to managing social media. This article sheds light on what the job involves, where one can find opportunities, and how to bag their first deal.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Virtual Assistant Supposed to Do?
• Where Can I Find Virtual Assistant Jobs?
• How Do I Get My First Virtual Assistant Job?
• What Should I Avoid?
• Conclusion

What Does a Virtual Assistant Actually Do?

Virtual assistants (VAs) help individuals or businesses by offering various kinds of assistance remotely. The specific job duties vary from person to person, but they generally include:

• Inbox management and scheduling
• Travel planning and appointment booking
• Data entry and research
• Customer service and live chat support
• Social media scheduling and content creation
• Bookkeeping and invoicing
• Project management

Some Virtual Assistants have a specific specialization (legal, medical, real estate), while other VA work as generalists handling different tasks for various clients.

Where to Find Virtual Assistant Jobs

Several ways to get legitimate virtual assistant positions exist.

1. Dedicated VA Staffing Agencies

Such companies as Belay, Time Etc, Boldly, and Wing hire VAs themselves and assign clients to work with them. Such agencies will get you clients, but this will bring you less money per hour than if you freelance yourself.

Best For

• For people who want stable employment
• Individuals who need regular customers
• Those who enjoy having jobs similar to that of employees

2. Freelance Marketplaces

Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com all feature a “virtual assistant” category where there is high competition, and you therefore need an attractive profile.

Best For

• Freelancers who are trying to build their clientele
• Flexible working hours
• Independent contractors

3. Job Boards

These include general job portals such as Indeed and LinkedIn as well as specific remote job portals like We Work Remotely, Remote.co, and FlexJobs.

Advantages

• Wide range of opportunities
• Includes both freelance and permanent opportunities
• Easy application process

4. Direct Outreach

Small business owners and solopreneurs who require a VA do not necessarily place a public ad for the position; contacting companies directly to offer your services can get you a job that no one else is bidding on.

Why It Works

• Less competition
• Establishing a direct relationship with your clients
• The opportunity to specialize in your desired niche

How to Land Your First Virtual Assistant Job

Entry into the world of Virtual Assistance is about more than just applying to positions. Try these tips to give yourself an edge.

Build a Focused Profile or Resume

Do not include all the skills you have ever possessed. Choose two or three areas that you are proficient in (such as inbox management plus scheduling plus light bookkeeping) and put them first. People want to hire experts, not generalists.

Focus Areas

• Focus on your most proficient services
• Tweak your résumé for VA work
• Stress experience

Get Comfortable With the Core Tools

It is expected that most of your clients will require familiarity with:

• Google Workspace (Google Docs, Sheets, Calendar)
• Project management tools (Asana, Trello, ClickUp)
• Communication tools (Slack, Zoom)
• Basic scheduling tools (Calendly)

You do not have to know everything about them, but listing the tools that you have experience with will establish credibility quickly.

Why These Tools Matter

• Show technical capability
• Decrease training time for clients
• Increase hiring confidence

Price Yourself Correctly

The tendency among new VAs is that they tend to undervalue their services in their efforts to secure their first client. This makes it difficult to increase their rates.

More sustainable strategy: Price just below market rate for your first 2–3 clients and then gradually increase rates.

Pricing Tips

• Don’t undercharge yourself 
• Accumulate experience first 
• Raise your fees as your reputation builds 

Ask for Testimonials Early

And one concrete testimonial like (“Sarah cut down my email reply time from two days to four hours”) will make you more believable than providing a long list of non-specific skills.

Benefits

• Builds trust with future clients
• Enhances your portfolio
• Boosts conversions

Red Flags to Watch For

Not all VA listings on the internet are genuine. Beware of:

• Positions that ask you to pay for training or certification
• Job postings with unclear job descriptions and very high salary for little experience
• Employers unwilling to make contact via phone or video chat prior to hiring you
• Asking you for personal information before signing any agreement

Final Thoughts

Jobs in virtual assistance represent some of the most open opportunities to enter the realm of remote working, but getting a foothold requires more than a run-of-the-mill application process.

Take a specialized path when possible, develop evidence of your work early, and utilize several channels including agencies, marketplaces, and personal outreach instead of focusing on a single pathway.

The freedom is very much there, but it pays to remember that remote working still favors diligence and a clear message over randomness.