Have you seen positions for remote administrative assistants advertised and would like to know more about exactly what this entails, so you can decide whether or not it’s a career option worth pursuing?
Then read on as we give you the low-down on this unique role….
What is a remote administrative assistant?
A remote administrative assistant, also known as a virtual assistant, performs many of the duties of an in-house administrative assistant, but from their own home or a premises of their choosing.
This allows employers to reduce their overheads and also enables them to more easily hire admin staff on a part-time, flexible or ad-hoc basis.
What does a remote administrative assistant do?
The role is very similar to that of an office-based administrative assistant.
A couple of decades ago, this would have been practically impossible, but these days, ‘paperwork’ is mostly digital, so almost everything can be done online.
From updating and amending data, organizing files, to dealing with correspondence, in many cases, there’s really no need for an administrative assistant to be in their employer’s office.
Video call platforms such as Zoom are invaluable to the remote administrative assistant, and many will touch base with their employer on a regular basis, offering an opportunity to discuss the day’s work tasks and pass on information such as upcoming engagements, important emails or phone messages that require attention.
An administrative assistant is always busy! When you work as a remote administrative assistant, it’s likely that you will be managing communications. During your working hours, you may have the work phones redirected to your home office so you can easily take incoming calls, and you’ll be dealing with emails.
You’ll be managing data and perhaps generating reports. You may be in charge of arranging meetings and updating diaries and you could also be responsible for planning travel.
On top of these regular office duties, due to the ‘online’ nature of the work of the remote assistant, you may also have additional responsibilities such as updating social media, writing or sourcing blog posts or conducting online research.
The pros of being a remote administrative assistant
There are many advantages to working as a remote administrative assistant. Let’s take a look at some of them…
Flexibility – Many people hiring a remote administrative assistant are not looking for someone full-time (although there are full-time opportunities out there), so you can more easily find a job that fits around your own commitments. If you choose clients that require your services for a just couple of hours a day, or one day a week, you can add or reduce the number of clients you work with, to ensure you have the perfect work / life balance.
More opportunities – When you’re looking for work in a ‘bricks and mortar’ environment, you’re constrained by location. You need to work somewhere that’s within reasonable traveling distance, in your home town, or a town close by. But when you work as a remote administrative assistant, you can work for any company anywhere in the world. The only consideration for this would be the time zone. For example, if a business on the other side of the world wants to hire you as their virtual assistant and wishes to chat with you via Zoom during working hours, you could find you need to be working during the night. But of course, this could also be to your advantage if you’re a night owl and prefer working later in the day.
Time and money saving – When you work from home, you’re cutting out transport costs, and you’re less likely to spend money eating store-bought lunches, so it can be a money saver. While you’ll want to look professional for video calls, you’ll probably find you spend less on workwear than your in-office counterparts too. Cutting out the rush hour commute can free up lots of time and also hugely reduce stress levels.
The cons of being a remote administrative assistant
Of course, working as a remote administrative assistant isn’t for everyone, and like any career, it can have its disadvantages. So let’s take a look at the cons of working as a remote virtual assistant…
You need a quiet space – You may need to answer calls, and speak on the phone or via video link with your boss or customers. When you’re dealing with important documentation, amending spreadsheets or creating a vital report, you need peace and quiet to concentrate. Is your home geared up for this? Do you have a spare room you can turn into an office? Can you guarantee you won’t be interrupted? If you have a busy household, or you don’t have a space you can dedicate to work, remote working may not be the best option for you.
It can be lonely – While some people are perfectly happy working alone, others find the remoteness isolating. Are you the sort of person who loves to chat during your coffee break, or go for after-work drinks with the team? When you work remotely, you just don’t get this level of camaraderie. This can be particularly acute if you also live alone. You can combat this feeling of isolation to a certain extent by taking your work out with you, to a local café, or a collaborative office space, but of course, this costs money, and it’s not always possible, for instance, if you’re taking confidential phone calls.
How to become a remote administrative assistant
So if the pros outweigh the cons for you, this could certainly be a fulfilling and lucrative career opportunity, so what’s the next step?
Search on your favorite job vacancy website for remote administrative assistant opportunities and get applying!
Now is the time to ensure your resume is up-to-date and error-free. Get your IT skills up to date and make sure you’re familiar with all the most commonly used office software so you can get straight to work without having to learn anything new.
Also spend some time preparing for the interview process!
Of course, as a remote position, the applicants for the job are not just limited to those within reasonable travelling distance. You’re competing for the job, potentially against people from all over the globe, and so it stands to reason that there are going to be a lot more applicants for a remote position than for an in-house administrative assistant job.
But don’t let that put you off! Instead, spend time making your resume stand out from the crowd by working on your skills.
There are plenty of ways to give your skillset a boost. You could improve your typing speed and accuracy, or you could even take a short online administrative assistant course.
You’ll find plenty of excellent courses out there that will not only teach you a great deal but some even reward you with a certificate when you’ve successfully completed the course. In fact, both of the courses we offer here at the Administrative Assistant Institute will earn you your administrative assistant certification.
This is the perfect way to highlight your abilities and certification will always catch the eye of a potential employer.
