A virtual assistant is generally self-employed and usually provides professional administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients remotely from a home office.

As a virtual assistant, clients would expect you to be reliable and dependable since your main tasks would be focused on administrative tasks while working independently. Clients who hire a virtual assistant are typically busy with all the other aspects of their business, so they need someone who does not only organize but is an efficient multi-tasker as well.

A few of the skills and attitudes needed to be an effective virtual assistant include; word processing, good oral communication and writing, being self-motivated and disciplined, being a quick thinker and effective decision making, and most importantly being eager for continuous learning. These skills and attributes are not something that can grow overnight. These all need continuous practice and cultivation through the process of learning.

With all the right skills one could be an effective virtual assistant. But one must also know the basic responsibilities a virtual assistant should have. One of the most basic responsibility of a virtual assistant encompasses various administrative tasks, which may range from email management to managing a client’s calendar. A virtual assistant would also be in charge of scheduling meetings for his client. It is also a must that a virtual assistant is organized especially with record keeping. Booking travel accommodations for the client could also be part of a virtual assistant’s tasks. Creating market research and presentations are also part of the responsibilities of a virtual assistant.

As a virtual assistant, you are entrusted not only to assist your client but to also make sure that every aspect of the client’s day-to-day activities are correctly scheduled and delivered. The more productive our client is, the more effective we are as their virtual assistant. Remember, we are here to make their life easier so they can focus more on their business. So with this, we are sure that we are doing the right thing.