There has been a significant uptick in workers looking for work-from-home opportunities, which has led to the introduction of a new field of work: virtual assistants. These workers are generally self-employed and offer their expertise to larger companies like law firms and real estate agencies to help them handle administrative, creative, and even technical tasks. They take care of everything from making phone calls to drafting reports and sorting documents.

Roles and responsibilities
Generally, virtual assistants have many roles and responsibilities to take care of.

• They have to send emails and make phone calls to ensure a proper flow of communication.
• They are the first point of contact for customers and need to provide stellar customer service.
• They are required to schedule meetings, make travel arrangements, and organize accommodations for the company they work for or individuals.
• They must make and manage the client contact list and organize calendars and meeting invites.
• They are required to review spreadsheets and maintain online records.
• They should do the groundwork, such as conducting market research, reporting results, and preparing presentations.
• They should know how to handle administrative queries.
• They have to create content and share blogs on the company’s social media pages.
• They must send out invoices to clients and follow up regarding payments.
• They need to locate and screen potential clients via phone calls.

It is important to note that the actual scope of work may differ depending on the organization and team one signs a contract with.

Skills required
As a virtual assistant, there are several sought-after skills one can hone and improve over time to earn more. At the top of this list is proficiency in written and verbal communication, attention to detail, organization capabilities, and handling various administrative tasks. Apart from this, there are a few other skills that companies may require potential hires to have.
To ensure seamless functioning, they should be familiar with various computer software and technologies, including desktop sharing, word processing software, spreadsheets, online calendars, cloud services, and VoIP. Additionally, they must be adept at bookkeeping and basic accounting and have time management skills. Besides, they should know how to multitask and work with minimum supervision while producing high-quality work.

Benefits of being a virtual assistant
Working as a virtual assistant has major perks.

• Job flexibility
  One of the biggest advantages of being a virtual assistant is having the space to set one’s working hours and schedule based on one’s lifestyle. This can greatly improve work-life balance.
• Choice of location
  Next, since the role is remote, one is not tied down to any single location for their work. Virtual assistants are free to move and work from anywhere, opening up the possibility of traveling the world without compromising their work.
• Diverse skill set
  Being a virtual assistant requires expertise and control over various tasks. This helps one build a diverse skill set and keeps work interesting.
• Entrepreneurial opportunities
  The flexibility and freedom of managing one’s schedule open up a world of opportunities. Virtual assistants gain critical skills that are crucial in the current market. They also learn to navigate challenges and develop a problem-solving mindset, which can be of significant value for those with an entrepreneurial bent.
• Reduced overheads
  As a virtual assistant, one must not worry about commuting costs, office wear, or even physical spaces. This helps reduce overhead costs and improve one’s earnings.