Remote Work Works! How to be a Virtual Assistant in the Philippines

The work landscape in the Philippines has changed after COVID-19 lockdowns. Gone are the days when people had to endure long commutes to work, follow the strict corporate hierarchy, and stick to traditional careers. The importance of work-life balance has been underscored by people’s preference for hybrid and remote work set-ups.^[1] 

Whether you want a side hustle or you intend to fully embrace self-employment in the future, being a virtual assistant in the Philippines is a career you may want to consider. But what does this position entail? How do you become one?

Here’s your guide on how to be a virtual assistant in the Philippines.

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant or VA is a person who handles the administrative affairs of a client. They’re essentially an executive assistant, except they’re not based in the client’s office.

Virtual assistants are usually employed by start-ups or individuals abroad. These clients want to focus on the core aspects of their business, which is why they work with independent contractors specializing in administrative services.

Depending on the client’s nature of business or their requirements, a virtual assistant is assigned various tasks, including but not limited to:

• Responding to phone calls and emails
• Creating and sending emails to customers and suppliers
• Scheduling meetings
• Booking travel-related requirements (e.g., flights, hotels, tours, etc.)
• Conducting market research
• Creating presentations
• Coordinating the schedules of stakeholders
• Issuing invoices
• Managing the business’s social media pages
• Copywriting and proofreading
• Basic search engine optimization (SEO)

Related reading: Influencing 101: Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Social Media Influencer in the Philippines

How Much Does a Virtual Assistant in the Philippines Make?

A lot of Filipinos flock to the VA industry because of the relatively high pay. The average salary of a virtual assistant in the Philippines ranges between ₱25,000 to ₱40,000 per month.

However, it’s possible to earn more than that, especially if you have the experience or are handling multiple clients. For instance, more experienced VAs can potentially earn somewhere between US$15 and US$30 per hour. That’s between ₱850 and ₱1,700 as of this writing.  

Say you work for four hours daily for 20 days. Using the rate above, you can earn somewhere between ₱68,000 and ₱136,000! But don’t get your hopes up yet, as finding clients that pay handsomely can be challenging.

Some prefer a VA career over a regular day job at the office, as the former offers flexibility in terms of workload and earning potential. Since you’ll be working remotely, you can also enjoy work-life balance and spend more time with your family.

Do You Need to Get a Virtual Assistant Course in the Philippines?

A college degree isn’t a strict requirement for a VA career. But it can be helpful, especially if it covers administrative courses and electives. Some clients accept VAs with associate degrees or high school diplomas.

However, some clients look for specific skills. In such cases, getting a virtual assistant course in the Philippines will be an advantage. Thankfully, you can receive training from online platforms, such as Udemy.^[2]

How to become a virtual assistant with no experience? Can you even be a virtual assistant without experience? It’s possible, especially if you have foundational skills such as the following:

• Time management
• Communication (spoken and written)
• Organization
• Attention to detail
• Social media savvy
• Creativity
• Basic IT

Read more: Need to Earn Extra Income? Get Started with These Side Hustles

How to be a Virtual Assistant in the Philippines

Want to know how to become a VA? Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind:

Step 1: Decide on the Services You Want to Offer

How to start a virtual assistant job? First, you need to determine the services you want to sell. Of course, these will depend on your existing skill set.

Here are some thought starters:

• If you have accounting skills, you may want to offer bookkeeping services.
• If you have copywriting and content creation skills, consider offering social media management services. Your odds are in your favor if you have related skills, such as analytics and community management.
• If you have customer service skills, you can offer customer service solutions using the following channels: email, phone calls, and live chat.
• If you are detail-oriented, consider offering data entry services.
• If you have professional writing skills, you can offer writing services, such as blog posts, press releases, guest posts, and more.

Step 2: Build Your Office

Since you’ll be working from home, you need a trusty setup that will help you get work done. What are the requirements to be a virtual assistant in this regard? Normally, they include the following:

• A computer. Since your client is based overseas, expect that they won’t provide you with a computer. A desktop may be a default choice, but if you prefer working at a coffee shop or even by the beach, go for a laptop.
• Peripherals such as headphones, speakers, and a printer
• An ergonomic office chair. Invest in a high-quality chair since you’ll be sitting all day in front of your computer.
• Stationery for taking down notes, including notebooks, post-its, staplers, pens, etc.
• Back-up devices and apps, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage
• A reliable connection to the internet. This is a must, as your work quality and reputation will depend on this.
• Video communication apps, such as Zoom, Skype, or Microsoft Teams
• Project management tools, such as Google Calendar, Trello, Dropbox Business, and Time Doctor, etc.

If you need an extra cash boost to buy pricier necessities such as a laptop, consider getting a personal loan. 

Step 3: Scout for Jobs

Where to apply as a virtual assistant in the Philippines? Thankfully, there are a handful of platforms supporting those applying for a virtual assistant post.

Here are some of them:

• Upwork
• JobStreet
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Social media sites, such as Facebook and Reddit. Normally, groups on these sites post job listings.

Read more: Earn Cash on the Side: Legit Apps to Earn Money in the Philippines

Step 4: Promote Yourself

Finally landed a VA job? Gaining experience is exciting! But if you want to know how to become a VA for more clients, you need to promote yourself.

What better way to do this than to build a portfolio? This is a highly useful strategy, especially if your services are related to writing, design, and social media management.

You can also promote your personal brand by becoming a thought leader. Start by posting on LinkedIn or mentoring newbies. Doing these will help you find leads who have the potential to become clients or partners.

Step 5: Keep Learning

How to be a virtual assistant in the Philippines who can easily attract clients and increase their rate?^[3] Easy—don’t be stagnant.

Keep up with the trends and get additional training to beef up your skills. You may even consider specializing in a specific field.

Final Thoughts

These days, there are ways to make money other than pursuing a traditional career. Applying for a virtual assistant position is one of them. While the requirements are relatively easy, you must note that landing your first client can be a challenge.

If you want to learn how to be a virtual assistant in the Philippines, you may visit forums and groups on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Reddit. Experienced VAs on these pages usually dispense useful advice.

Sources:

• ^[1] Most PH Job Seekers Now Prefer Hybrid, Remote Work Set-Up (The Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2023)
• ^[2] Udemy Virtual Assistant Courses
• ^[3] How to Negotiate Salary: 37 Tips You Need to Know (The Muse, 2023)