How Do I Become a Virtual Assistant with No Experience?

While many companies big and small alike have switched to almost 100% of their workforce setup to telecommuting due to the pandemic, people looking for work-at-home opportunities have also soared. If you are a would-be virtual worker but with zero work experience as a VA, the future is still bright for you. There are some entry-level jobs that may just be perfect for a beginner like you!

1. Content Writing

Any form of content writing is an awesome way to start your online career. If you are creative, resourceful, and have great English writing and grammar skills, then writing blogs, niche articles, product reviews, and product listing descriptions can be the perfect job for you. You don’t need any other highly technical skills to get started. Of course, knowing how to use word processing software such as Microsoft word and Google Docs is imperative if you want to land a writing gig online. But in this age and time who else doesn’t know Google, right? 

2. Email and Calendar Management

A lot of people don’t know that managing emails and scheduling are among the most in-demand skills that companies look for in a remote assistant. Most of us have emails and use it daily so there is no reason why we can’t do that for another person. Busy CEOs and businessmen usually don’t have time to take care of hundreds of emails that they receive every day, much less scheduling their own appointments. You might even be promoted to a customer associate position in no time if you do well in your job! 

Do you love communicating and organizing things? Then inbox management might be your best bet. In this role, you only need to know how to use web-based emailing systems such as Gmail (most popular one) or MS Outlook depending on the email platform that the company uses. If you are highly organized, detail-oriented, and has got an engaging personality and fast typing skills, then you are an excellent candidate for this position.

3. Customer Service Assistant

Again, a lot of companies have already moved a big chunk of their workforce online and one huge part of that is their customer service department. Especially if you have previous customer support experience, landing a remote CS job would be easy-peasy. 

To work as a phone, email, or chat support assistant from home, you will need great communication skills as well as multitasking skills. When you are a virtual customer support assistant, your tasks mainly involve responding to product questions or order follow up, troubleshooting issues on their accounts or products, or processing new orders or refunds. Even if you have zero customer service background, companies hiring online agents normally provide training. So, if you learn fast no worries!

4. Social Media Manager

Who doesn’t know Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter these days? And if you are good at it, why not have fun and make money at the same time! Businesses need an online presence to step up their game. And for them to achieve that they need to have consistently active account in popular social media sites today. The problem is these business owners are too busy growing their company to have time to increase their followers, reply to comments, and manage their social media accounts. And this is where you come in! In most cases, clients would provide guidelines and instructions and even the content that they want you to post. Overall, this is one of the simplest entry-level jobs that you can get online.

5. Audio Transcription

Amid the pandemic, more and more businesses are being conducted online. These days virtual meetings, webinars, podcasts, and online courses are becoming part of our “new normal”. This means they also need someone like you to help them with transcription. If you have good listening skills and fast typing skills, then you’re on your way to becoming a legit transcriber.  

6. Graphic Designer

You might have done some simple photoshop editing or basic graphics design using web-based design tools like Canva back in college. You can make some money out of this experience as there’s room for you in the virtual professionals’ world. Online entrepreneurs know for a fact that having catchy graphics on their blogs or beautiful product images is important. So, if you artsy and have a natural talent in creating designs, and you genuinely enjoy it, there are clients waiting for you. It would be helpful if you have a portfolio to share. For instance, your own Instagram account with your own designs or maybe pins that you shared on Pinterest. Create one now if you don’t have one yet. 

If you have at least one of the above skills, the possibilities are endless. When it comes to remote work, skills and attitude are the key secrets to a lasting and fulfilling virtual career. In most cases, experience is just secondary.