What does a virtual assistant do?
Virtual Assistants are remote workers who work with clients that need assistance. They usually do administrative or clerical activities such as managing soft copies of a document, writing e-mail correspondences, managing calendars, scheduling appointments, and other activities. They manage the e-mail of their clients and respond to inquiries and other messages. They also manage phone calls by answering calls, taking messages, and dialing for their clients. Virtual Assistants may also be asked to handle travel-related tasks of their clients, such as creating itineraries, booking flights, and booking hotels.
Virtual assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real virtual assistant resumes:
- Organize and manage client's social media using Hootsuite.
- Manage payments and receipts in QuickBooks, manage bank deposits.
- Manage the LinkedIn account and network of a human resources professional.
- Assist in managing client accounts via twitter, Facebook, and link in.
- Manage emails, voice mail, Skype, chat, and twitter correspondence.
- Manage social media pages as well as the business Facebook page and group page.
- Upload, scan and index patient charts in compliance with HIPAA and state regulations in timely manner.
- Operate QuickBooks for accounts receivable and billing.
- Draft floor plans and elevations in auto cad.
- Proofread and distribute print and radio advertising spots.
- Maintain social media presence (Instagram and YouTube).
- Set up payroll and benefits, as well as expense tracking.
- Confer with customers by Skype or email providing information about products or services.
- Assist with RFP's, RFQ's and portfolio production in InDesign and Photoshop.
- Update & monitor social media accounts (twitter, fb, link in).
Virtual assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Virtual Assistants are proficient in Data Entry, Customer Service, and Email Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Organizational skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Virtual Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Entry, 9%
Provided accurate computer data entry.
- Customer Service, 8%
Excel in providing virtual administrative support and customer service to global businesses across diverse industries.
- Email Management, 8%
Assist clients with all of their virtual needs - such as research, email management, expense reports, etc.
- Booking, 7%
Make sure all booking and contract forms are received, signed & sealed for event and follow-up confirmations.
- Website Maintenance, 6%
Provided marketing and promotional materials along with website maintenance.
- Zoom, 6%
Arrange and attend webconference meetings for company, utilizing Zoom or Google Hangouts.
"data entry," "customer service," and "email management" are among the most common skills that virtual assistants use at work. You can find even more virtual assistant responsibilities below, including:
Interpersonal skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a virtual assistant to have is interpersonal skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff." Virtual assistants often use interpersonal skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "used superior interpersonal and problem solving skills while promoting high-level customer service as the primary contact for advertising inquiries. "
Organizational skills. Another essential skill to perform virtual assistant duties is organizational skills. Virtual assistants responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently." Virtual assistants also use organizational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "dedicated us number for the clients i provided assistance for.- administrative assistance and miscellaneous organizational projects and office tasks. "
Writing skills. virtual assistants are also known for writing skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to virtual assistant responsibilities, because "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." A virtual assistant resume example shows how writing skills is used in the workplace: "article writing, database creation and management, data entry, research"
The three companies that hire the most virtual assistants are:
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.21 virtual assistants jobs
- BELAY
7 virtual assistants jobs
- Intel5 virtual assistants jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable virtual assistant resume templates
Build a professional virtual assistant resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your virtual assistant resume.
Compare different virtual assistants
Virtual assistant vs. Administrative assistant & marketing assistant
An administrative assistant/marketing assistant is responsible for performing administrative duties to support the operations of the marketing department. Administrative assistants/marketing assistants join the marketing team in identifying business opportunities that would increase the company's sales and profitability, meeting customers' demands by analyzing the current industry trends. They also prepare partnership contracts, monitor the distribution of marketing materials, negotiate with suppliers and third-party vendors, schedule appointments and promotional events, and respond to customers' inquiries and concerns, escalating a high-level complaint to management for immediate resolution.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a virtual assistant are more likely to require skills like "data entry," "taking care," "customer service," and "email management." On the other hand, a job as an administrative assistant & marketing assistant requires skills like "email blasts," "provides administrative support," "photoshop," and "financial statements." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Administrative assistants & marketing assistants earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $47,233. On the other hand, virtual assistants are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $42,063.administrative assistants & marketing assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than virtual assistants. In fact, administrative assistants & marketing assistants are 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Virtual assistant vs. Administrative assistant/personal assistant
An Administrative Assistant/Personal Assistant performs daily and time management tasks, meeting schedules, note-taking, and correspondence. Administrative Assistants answer and direct phone calls to the appropriate staff. They are in charge of ordering and purchasing office supply stocks. Their duties and responsibilities depend on the company and the industry they are working for. They serve as the point of contact for external stakeholders and staff. They must develop professionalism, inventory control, and administrative writing skills.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that virtual assistant responsibilities requires skills like "data entry," "taking care," "customer service," and "email management." But an administrative assistant/personal assistant might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "scheduling appointments," "financial statements," "front desk," and "real estate."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Administrative assistants/personal assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than virtual assistants. In fact, they're 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Virtual assistant vs. Assistant secretary
An assistant secretary is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties to support the daily operations of various departments and management personnel and ensure the efficiency of business functions. Assistant secretaries usually assist in business communications, responding to customers' inquiries and concerns, reaching out to existing clients to schedule appointments, welcoming guests on the office, and routing calls to the appropriate department. They also handle data entry procedures, updating customer information on the database, as well as creating reports on business and financial transactions.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from virtual assistant resumes include skills like "data entry," "taking care," "customer service," and "email management," whereas an assistant secretary is more likely to list skills in "scheduling appointments," "financial statements," "office equipment," and "computer system. "
When it comes to education, assistant secretaries tend to earn similar degree levels compared to virtual assistants. In fact, they're 1.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Virtual assistant vs. Front desk administrative assistant
A front desk administrative assistant is responsible for performing administrative duties to support daily business functions and operations. Front desk administrative assistants assist guests, respond to their inquiries and concerns, and direct them to the appropriate personnel for their needs. They also monitor office inventories, write purchase requests, and distribute mails across the departments. A front desk administrative assistants review business and financial transactions to generate reports, update information on the company's database, and sort documents for reference.
Updated January 8, 2025
