Discover the abundant virtual assistant perks, offering liberation from the confines of office cubicles and rigid schedules. Are you tired of feeling restrained by your workplace environment? Or perhaps you have a habit of looking over your shoulder? Maybe you feel like you’re constantly being watched and scrutinized.
If this is the case, consider exploring the realm of virtual assistant roles for newfound freedom! You’re likely familiar with the term if you’ve been in the online working space for a while, either as a freelancer or an employer. However, if this is your first time hearing of such a profession, don’t worry! Virtual Assistants or VAs are technically Jack (or Jill) of all trades but within the digital world. We have similar responsibilities to in-house admins within companies. You can also consider VAs personal or executive assistants, except we work remotely. Another difference is that we function as freelancers.
Now you’re probably wondering: What exactly are the perks of being a virtual assistant if they have the same responsibilities as in-house admins or secretaries? Well, let’s break it down.
Flexible Work Schedule and Location Independence
As a freelancer, a VA is not tied to the company they’re working for. There are freelancer agencies (like Virtary), but they mainly serve as a hub for VAs to get help finding clients and projects. The other difference is that we work remotely. Most in-house admins or employees belonging to a company still work on-site, which often limits their freedom.
Due to the nature of freelancing, VAs can choose which projects or clients they want to take on. As a result, VAs can also decide their work schedule and location. This creates both a flexible work schedule and location independence.
If you work more effectively with four working days—even if that means longer work hours per day—then go for it! Or maybe you’re more sporadic, preferring to work whenever the mood strikes so long as the job gets done. That can also be arranged. The key is finding the right project and client that allows you the best working schedule.
Regarding the work location, you need only sufficient equipment. With a notebook and a reliable internet connection, you can work from anywhere you want! Whether it’s within the confines of your own home, in a cafe, public library, or other co-working spaces—anywhere you’re comfortable with can be your office.
Diverse Clientele and Projects for Skill Development
“Be adventurous!”
We are lucky enough to live in the golden age of the internet where globalization is easier than ever. Gone are the days when it was nigh impossible to have quick and seamless communication across different countries. Now everything is just a click away on the World Wide Web. In other words, remote working means that it’s a given you have the opportunity to work for clients worldwide. The challenge lies in finding these clients and convincing them to hire your services.
Besides diversity in terms of clients’ backgrounds, being a VA also opens the door to different industries or fields. Any business would require administration. No matter the industry or field, there would always be paperwork, bookkeeping, data entry tasks, email management, or someone to assist the higher-ups personally. You can explore various industries, from influencers to digital marketing firms, tech startups, and travel agencies, broadening your horizons. Also, having the freedom to choose clients or projects makes improving existing skills or developing new ones much easier.
Without being tied to a specific role within a company, you can experiment. Test yourself by taking on entry-level projects you’re unfamiliar with. You may be a research expert, but consider taking on customer service roles to brush up on your communication skills. Just make sure to take into account your limits and capabilities.
Improved Work-Life Balance and Reduced Stress
I’m sure you’re no stranger to the concept of “burnout” commonly plaguing the average salaryman. There are six areas where one can experience an imbalance that leads to burnout (according to the research done by Christina Maslach from the University of California at Berkeley and Michael P. Leiter from Acadia University). Two of these six areas are workload and perceived lack of control.
Workload stress or imbalance could happen when your workload exceeds your capacity. This can happen due to poor time management, too many responsibilities, perfectionism, or overestimation of one’s ability. Combine this with the second area (perceived lack of control). When you feel like you lack autonomy or boundaries, you’re bound to suffer from burnout.
With these burnout causes in mind, you can see why virtual assistant perks address the aforementioned issues. By deciding when to work, where to work, and who to work for, you can craft your workstyle and plan it around your life, not the other way around!
Transitioning from a traditional desk job to a VA can be a challenge. However, it grants autonomy over one’s work hours and location in the long run. It provides the opportunity to break free from the confines of a rigid schedule and office space. With a diverse clientele and projects spanning various industries, VAs can continuously develop and expand their skill sets. At the same time, it promotes a healthier work-life balance by letting people tailor their workstyles to fit seamlessly into their lives. I hope these perks of becoming a virtual assistant answer the needs of modern professionals seeking freedom and flexibility.
