What is a Virtual Assistant? Definition, Duties and Responsibilities, and Required Skills

Today, virtual assistants are one of the professions that are sought after by both large and small companies. Thanks to advances in technology, some tasks can be done remotely, including assistants.

Then what is the purpose of this profession? Then what are the duties and responsibilities? Don't worry, in this article we will explain it to you in detail.

What is a Virtual Assistant?

Virtual assistants are online jobs whose job is to help clients with administrative or business issues.

As the name suggests, virtual assistants are jobs that can be done online. Everyone can do this job, including you. Provided you have leadership and management skills.

In addition, this job offers many advantages. For example, flexible working hours, the opportunity to work anywhere in the style of digital nomadism, even the opportunity to earn a lot of money.

Virtual Assistant salary starts from IDR 450.000/hour. The salary earned is usually adjusted depending on the client and the work performed.

That's why the virtual assistant profession is one of the fastest growing jobs. Based on Business Wire data, the virtual assistant market is estimated to reach IDR 398 billion in 2025. So if you want to make money online, you should consider becoming a virtual assistant.

Virtual Assistant Duties and Responsibilities

Virtual assistant tasks according to the needs of clients or companies. Nonetheless, this profession usually has several duties and responsibilities:

1. Personal Assistant

Like assistants in general, virtual assistants are personal assistants for clients or companies. One of his duties is setting schedules and agendas, making phone calls, etc.

2. Data Entry

Reporting from WeWork that virtual assistants also tend to help clients with data entry. He is responsible for collecting data, checking for accuracy, and deleting unnecessary data.

3. Social Media Management

It's not uncommon for clients or businesses to hire virtual assistants to manage social media. His job is to respond to comments and messages from followers or even check company social media insights.

As we know, social media plays an important role in business for companies today. Therefore, sometimes clients need the help of virtual assistants in this matter.

4. Serving Customers

Companies operating in the product or service sector sometimes need virtual assistants for customer care and customer service.

In the initial phase, the customer first contacts the virtual assistant. If he feels he has an unknown field, he will be taken directly to the company's customer service. In fact, this profession is usually used by small businesses that do not yet have their own customer service team.

5. Manage Emails

Sometimes a virtual assistant's role is to manage or review company or client email. If there is an important email, he must show it to the boss.

Skills Required by Virtual Assistants

Working as a virtual assistant is certainly not easy. It requires some skills. To become a virtual assistant, the following skills are required:

1. Communication Skills

Communication skills are the basic things that you have to develop. Be it verbal or written communication. Because all virtual assistant jobs are done online. From writing emails, calls or presentations etc. In general, you also need to be proficient in tools such as video conferencing applications to communicate or meet with clients. For example Zoom, Google Meet or Skype.

2. Ability to Manage Time and Projects

As a virtual assistant, leadership qualities are definitely needed. Is it time management or project management. Both make it easy to manage schedules and complete each project on time.

For time and project management, virtual assistants usually use tools like Trello apps, Notion, etc.

3. Accuracy

Working as a virtual assistant also means being diligent. This skill is needed to avoid small mistakes that have a big impact on your work. For example, you should research information before sending an email. Make sure the message is clear and free of typos. Be writing email content and recipients etc.

4. IT skills

Virtual assistants must also have adequate IT skills. Because all virtual assistant jobs are done online. So they use desktop and internet more. For example mastery of Microsoft Office. So you can easily manage Word documents, create PowerPoint presentations or manipulate Excel data, etc.

5. Social Media

Social media skills are a plus for you. Because customers usually need an online presence but don't have time to manage their own social media. Hence the need for a virtual assistant role. Starting from content research, content planning, content creation to content distribution.

Social media that is used is very flexible. You can adjust to the type of social media that is covered. But in general, virtual assistants can use programs like Hootsuite because they can manage multiple accounts at once.

6. Decision Making

As a virtual assistant, you may find yourself in a situation where you have to make your own decisions. For example, if a customer cannot be contacted, you should be able to make the right decision yourself.

So that's an explanation of the virtual assistant profession and its duties and responsibilities. So, if you are interested in exploring this profession, master the skills above from now on!