Have You Worked as a Virtual Assistant?
One of the growing home-based jobs in the freelance industry are virtual office assistant jobs. These kind of jobs are generally involve doing administrative work such as data entry, customer service, email marketing, research, taking calls, answering emails, arranging meeting schedules and even doing repetitive SEO jobs. Virtual assistant jobs are generally more of secretarial or clerical in nature.
I haven’t tried doing virtual assistant jobs since I started finding freelance jobs online but I remember applying to some of these jobs (and getting rejected for some reason).
image credit to mcmorgan08
Virtual assistant jobs are growing each day and so are people who want to do these jobs – or part-time. Most virtual assistant jobs require working closely with clients online rather than having a prepared set of TODO tasks. This line of job is very competitive, as many people with basic computer knowledge already qualify well for this job.
Have you been a virtual assistant? Please share your experience through the comments.
Nicole
March 11th, 2010 at 8:33 pm #
I’ve been very lucky with my Virtual Assistant job. My boss is understanding and cool. One thing I dont like about it though, is when he forwards his calls to me. Rarely, but it still happens. I feel like its not really my forte, taking calls.
But as far as the job goes, its steady and the longer I stay with him, the more effective i become. One of its perks is the stability. In Odesk, we jump from client to client and while some of them do become regulars, we still deal with the occasional complete stranger/boss every so often.
majay balilo
March 11th, 2010 at 11:11 pm #
I would like to apply as virtual assistant. I am now staying at home to take care of my son but I had experience in human resources befor I became the branch officer of a freight forwarding company. I would like to know how I can apply..thank you.
berryblitz
March 12th, 2010 at 3:09 am #
I actually am thinking of trying to apply as a virtual assistant. My only problem is time. And the title “virtual assistant” scares me. Having the title “virtual assistant” seems to be a very challenging job. I don’t know hahaha
MinnieRunner
March 12th, 2010 at 9:36 am #
I haven’t been. I had signed up at oDesk with the end in mind to have at least a freelancing job on creating Desktop Applications or doing some articles. But it is either I find the job so cheap, or I haven’t been contacted by the employer.
dlysen
March 12th, 2010 at 4:04 pm #
One of the virtual assistant I know is promoting site by spreading back links for a $,
.-= dlysen´s last blog ..Link me up and make money. =-.
katz
March 13th, 2010 at 9:26 pm #
I have friends who are Virtual Assistants. They have more than 2 jobs. Virtual Assistant jobs are easier than programming. You are usually asked to install and configure Joomla/Wordpress.
Unless they will ask you to do literally everything from design to troubleshooting difficult issues – that’s no longer a Virtual Assistant job. Usually the difficult tasks are handled by a programmer. Minimum pay for Virtual Assistant as I know is $4 per hour. Some go below that but that’s ridiculous.
I won’t apply as a virtual assistant. I always prefer either “designer” or “programmer.” Because when you say “assistant” – it’s general – they’re gonna ask you to do various tasks.
MsCleanslate
March 17th, 2010 at 3:22 pm #
I have worked as a Virtual Assistant for a client I had once worked for full-time. Now we live nearly 1000 miles apart, but I still do work for him. Unfortunately, it’s not enough of an income to pay all the bills, but it’s a good something “extra”.
.-= MsCleanslate´s last blog ..13 of the listed positions prefer a degree… =-.
Gem
March 21st, 2010 at 3:12 am #
Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s good that you still get some work from your client for some extra buck. However, I am curious to know why you haven’t considered raising your rates or moved to find other clients who offer higher/better rates.
Gem
March 21st, 2010 at 3:23 am #
I also avoid not only VA jobs but other freelance programming/designing jobs where the client prefers freelancers who are willing to get paid at lower hourly rates.
Gem
March 21st, 2010 at 3:25 am #
In any freelancing site, it is best to start out low. But why accept low offers when you are a new player, when you can get better paid at other freelance sites or even in blogging?
Gem
March 21st, 2010 at 3:27 am #
Why does the title “virtual assistant” scare you? I guess when your little boy grows up and can do things without much supervision you’ll be able to accept additional work.
Gem
March 21st, 2010 at 3:31 am #
You can try oDesk, the freelance site I’m working with. Sign up here for free: http://www.odesk.com/referrals/track/gbaltazar
Gem
March 21st, 2010 at 3:33 am #
Did you get your present VA job from oDesk? Are you working with your boss full-time and on a fixed-salary basis each month?
berryblitz
March 21st, 2010 at 2:05 pm #
hmmmm i think i lack self confidence
.-= berryblitz´s last blog ..Coach Bags (Authentic) Batch 201002 =-.
alecxmeck
March 21st, 2010 at 2:38 pm #
Hello MsCleanslate,
Ive’ been working as a VA since July 2009. I started 1500 a week, but now I’m earning roughly 6thou-10thou a week. I guess its enough to cover all the expenses. I guess Gem is right, why not consider finding an additional client? I do have 9 clients. Maybe that’s why I earned such money.
Gem
March 21st, 2010 at 4:09 pm #
Lack of self-confidence can always be overcome. I grew up as a shy person but I eventually learned how to deal with it.
Gem
March 21st, 2010 at 4:10 pm #
Wow! That’s nice income as a VA! Congrats!
MsCleanslate
March 22nd, 2010 at 8:05 am #
I very recently relocated and am still learning about the area I live in. I’m working on re-working my website and have to be able to do some proper advertising. I moved somewhere that I know no one, so networking is going to take some time and I need to get my website back online.
.-= MsCleanslate´s last blog ..Perhaps a little help… =-.
Aiza
September 14th, 2010 at 11:22 pm #
I work as a Virtual Assistant and do lots of work but good thing my boss is not that strict.. his very understanding even at times i mess up.. Still get the chance to fix them though.
Rose
November 6th, 2010 at 4:06 pm #
I am an ECE too but currently unemployed. I decided to take online job while studying for board exam. I just got hired as a VA and I’m about to start on Wednesday. My employer offered me 15k(PHP) a month. He told me that the usual rate for VA is 8k(PHP) but he said he raised his offer to me because I am well qualified. Actually, I believed him that’s why I accepted the offer. But with what I read above about the minimum pay for VA, is it really $4/hour?
I’ll come back to you later (maybe after a month or two) and tell you whatever experience I can share as a VA.
Katie
December 20th, 2010 at 12:41 am #
For a starter, what’s the quote for being a VA? Got any idea?