Exploring Entry-Level Virtual Assistant Job Opportunities

The virtual assistant industry has exploded in recent years. With more businesses going remote or hybrid, there is a huge demand for talented virtual assistants who can provide administrative and customer support from anywhere. If you're looking to break into the industry, there are tons of entry-level virtual assistant jobs available right now.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the world of entry-level virtual assisting. You'll learn what entry-level virtual assistant jobs entail, what qualifications you need, where to find open positions, how to stand out from other applicants, and much more.

Whether you're switching careers, fresh out of school, or just need a flexible remote job, read on to discover if a virtual assistant role is right for you!

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant (or VA) provides administrative, technical, or customer support to clients remotely. Rather than working onsite in an office, VAs complete all their work online from a home office or coworking space.

Common virtual assistant duties include:

• Email and calendar management
• Scheduling calls and meetings
• Managing documents and presentations
• Social media management
• Customer service and support
• Data entry and analysis
• Bookkeeping
• Event planning
• Travel coordination

Virtual assistants are hired as independent contractors. This gives them the flexibility to work for multiple clients at once. It also allows businesses to outsource administrative tasks without hiring additional full-time staff.

The virtual assistant industry has grown exponentially as more businesses adopt remote work policies. It's an amazing field for those seeking flexible, work-from-home jobs.

What Does an Entry-Level Virtual Assistant Do?

Entry-level virtual assistants usually start by providing basic administrative and customer service support to clients. This allows them to gain experience before taking on more complex or technical tasks.

Here are some of the most common duties for entry-level virtual assistants:

Administrative Tasks

• Managing calendars and scheduling appointments
• Organizing emails and communicating on the client's behalf
• Arrange travel reservations for conferences or client meetings
• Submitting expense reports
• Transcribing audio recordings into text documents
• Proofreading documents
• Managing CRM databases and keeping contacts updated

Customer Service

• Answering client phone calls or emails
• Providing stellar customer service and support
• Monitoring social media channels and responding to messages/comments
• Assisting with order processing or returns
• Evaluating customer feedback and satisfaction

Content and Marketing

• Writing, proofreading, or updating website content
• Creating graphics or visual content for social media
• Conducting market research for blog topics or products
• Managing email marketing campaigns and newsletters

Entry-level VAs usually handles the less complex task sunder each of these categories. As you gain more experience, you can start taking on more specialized work like bookkeeping, graphic design, SEO optimization, and more.

What Qualifications Do You Need for Entry-Level Virtual Assistant Jobs?

While the barrier to entry for virtual assisting jobs is relatively low, you'll still need to demonstrate some key skills and qualifications:

Administrative Skills

• Proficiency with productivity software like Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
• Exceptional time management and organizational abilities
• Ability to prioritize urgent vs. non-urgent tasks
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Resourcefulness - ability to find information needed to complete projects

Communication Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Personable and professional communication style
• Ability to communicate clearly over phone, email, and messaging
• Fluency in English (other languages may be required for some clients)

Technical Skills

• Experience with CRM platforms like Salesforce or Zoho
• Familiarity with online collaboration tools like Slack or Asana
• Quick learner who can pick up new software skills easily
• Basic IT troubleshooting skills

Customer Service Skills

• Friendly, patient, and empathetic manner
• Ability to resolve customer issues and complaints
• Experience providing excellent customer service
• Knowledge of customer support best practices

Generally, a high school diploma and 1-2 years of administrative or customer service experience is required for entry-level virtual assistant roles. Higher education like an associate or bachelor’s degree is preferred but not mandatory.

Specific skill requirements will vary between clients. But demonstrating this baseline of qualifications will make you an attractive candidate for most entry-level virtual assistant positions.

Where to Find Entry-Level Virtual Assistant Job Opportunities

Once you've built up the qualifications, where should you look for open virtual assistant positions? Here are some of the best places to find entry-level remote work:

Virtual Assistant Job Boards

There are a number of job sites specifically tailored to virtual assistants. These include:

• RemoteHub - RemoteHub has thousands of legit virtual assisting jobs from pre-vetted companies. It's one of the best places to find your first entry-level remote position.
• Belay - Belay offers free VA training and job matching services. Great for total beginners.
• VirtualAssistantJobs.com - Job board focused exclusively on virtual assistant opportunities.
• Upwork - Freelancing site with VA job listings. Can be tough for new freelancers competing against more experienced VAs.
• Freelancer - Similar to Upwork. Look for entry-level opportunities here.
• FlexJobs - Virtual assistant and other remote job listings. Subscription plan required.

Setting up custom job alerts on sites like RemoteHub and VirtualAssistantJobs.com is a great way to find new entry-level listings fast.

Staffing Agencies

Specialized virtual assistant staffing agencies can match you with clients looking to fill entry-level remote roles. This takes some of the job search burden off your plate. Some top agencies include:

• Time Etc - Well-established VA staffing agency with tons of experience placing beginners.
• Prial to - Staffing with customized training options. Great for launching a VA career.
• belay FORCE - Belay's staffing arm that helps place entry-level VAs with clients.
• Priority Virtual Assistants - VA placements focused on personalized  service.

Be wary of any agency asking you to pay upfront fees. Legit agencies get paid by the client, not by you.

Company Career Pages

More businesses are hiring virtual assistants to support their remote workforce. Check major company career sites for openings like:

• Zapier - Zapier hires entry-level VAs to assist their globally distributed team.
• Doist - Maker of Todoist and Twist. Often VA openings to support their workforce.
• Automattic - The company behind WordPress publishes remote work listings.
• GitLab - This fully remote company hires entry-level VAs.
• InVision - Digital product design company with openings for virtual assistants.

For other openings, search "virtual assistant" on job sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn. But job boards aimed specifically at remote work will be your best sources for finding entry-level virtual assistant opportunities.

How to Make Your Entry-Level VA Resume Stand Out

To land your first virtual assistant job, your resume needs to stand out from the competition. Follow these tips to create an eye-catching entry-level VA resume:

Highlight Relevant Skills

Under your work experience, create a "Key Skills" section that showcases abilities like:

• CRM platforms (Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Collaboration tools (Slack, Trello, Asana)
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Customer service
• Administrative management

Focus on Achievements

For each past job, include measurable accomplishments like:

• "Increased customer satisfaction by 25% in 6 months by streamlining support processes."
• "Recognized for resolving 87% of customer support tickets within 1 hour."
• "Improved team productivity by implementing new task management system."

Quantifying your achievements will grab the hiring manager's attention.

Cut the Fluff

Keep descriptions concise. Eliminate embellishments that don't highlight hard skills. Let your measurable achievements speak for themselves.

Perfect Your Formatting

Use an easy-to-scan format with clear section headings. Make your name stand out bold and large at the top. Include your virtual assistant title to align with the role.

Check for Errors

Double check for typos, grammar issues, and inconsistent formatting. These small mistakes can remove you from consideration.

The right resume can make you a top candidate for entry-level virtual assistant jobs. Take the time to perfect yours before submitting applications.

How to Ace a Virtual Assistant Interview

The interview is your chance to showcase why you're the perfect candidate for an entry-level virtual assistant role. Here are some tips for nailing your VA job interview:

Research the Company and Role

Arrive prepared by learning about the company, their clients, and the specific position. Being able to speak knowledgeably will impress.

Practice Interviewing

Schedule mock interviews with friends to polish your speaking skills. Practice answering common VA interview questions so your answers will sound natural.

Highlight Your Technical Skills

Use specific examples to showcase your abilities with essential software programs, CRM platforms, collaboration tools, and more. Digin to the technical side.

Discuss Your Customer Service Experience

Share details of how you've provided excellent customer support in the past. Use anecdotes to demonstrate your passion for helping customers.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Inquire about things like typical workflows, technical tools used, client expectations, training procedures, and career development opportunities.

Send a Follow-Up Note

After the interview, send a short email thanking the interviewer for their time. Reiterate your interest in the position. Add any relevant points you forgot to mention.

Preparing responses to common VA interview questions and researching the role are key to excelling during the interview process. This will prove you have what it takes to succeed.

Entry-Level Virtual Assistant Salaries: What to Expect

It's natural to wonder about the earning potential for entry-level virtual assistants. VA salaries can vary significantly based on these factors:

Experience Level

Entry-level VAs generally earns between $15-$25 per hour. Those with 1-3 years’ experience make $20-$35 per hour on average. Salaries go up from there as you gain specialized skills and certifications.

Type of Client

VA roles supporting large corporations or executive clients pay more than small business clients. SMB budgets limit what they can pay VAs.

Scope of Responsibilities

VAs handling complex tasks like web development, SEO, or graphic design earn higher hourly rates than basic admin support roles. Specialized skills drive earnings.

Certifications

Getting certified in areas like NetSuite, QuickBooks, or HubSpot can increase your earning potential and give you a competitive edge.

Location

Your geographic location also impacts VA salary ranges. Those located in high cost-of-living urban areas like NYC or San Francisco earn more.

While entry-level salaries start on the lower end, virtual assistants have tons of upside. As you gain experience, your earning potential grows exponentially. Within a few years you can be making $50-$70 an hour with the right skills and clients.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Hired as an Entry-Level VA

If working as a virtual assistant appeals to you, follow this step-by-step plan to get hired for your first job:

1. Decide if Virtual Assisting is Right for You

Make sure you understand what the day-to-day work entails and the pros and cons before pursuing this career path.

2. Research the Qualifications

Take stock of your skills and experience. Identify any gaps you need to fill through courses, certifications, or volunteering.

3. Build Your Virtual Assistant Portfolio

Create a professional website, online profiles, and social media pages to showcase your services.

4. Consider Getting VA Training

Formal virtual assistant training programs like Belay provide a structured way to gain the required skills and knowledge as a total beginner.

5. Update Your Resume

Tailor your resume to highlight your administrative, customer service, and technical abilities. Quantify achievements.

6. Search Job Boards and Company Sites

RemoteHub, Belay, and other remote work job sites should be your first stop. Look for entry-level virtual assistant openings.

7. Ace the Interview

Come prepared to speak knowledgeably about the role and company. Provide examples of your qualifications. Send a follow up note after.

8. Start Your Virtual Assistant Career!

Once hired, dive right in. Be proactive in asking questions and learning the role. Request feedback often for continuous improvement.

With determination and preparation, you can land an amazing entry-level virtual assistant job that launches your remote career. The demand has never been greater for talented customer service professionals and administrative experts to join virtual teams. By following this guide, you 'llbe ready to put your skills to work supporting clients from anywhere.

Find Your Dream Remote Job at RemoteHub

RemoteHub has partnered with top companies to provide exceptional virtual assistant job opportunities you can do from home.

Their remote job listings come from 100% vetted companies offering legit work-from-home jobs. Unlike random freelance platforms, RemoteHub ensures quality remote opportunities specifically tailored for virtual professionals.

RemoteHub also provides tons of helpful resources for starting your remote career. Their Virtual Assistant Handbook shares actionable tips on skill building, resume writing, interviewing, job search strategies, and more.

Ready to launch your virtual assisting career with as tellar remote company? Head to RemoteHub to browse open positions and get matched with your ideal work from home job today!