Virtual Assistant Jobs in 2024: Remote Staff Interview

The demand for virtual assistants is increasing EACH year, according to VA growth statistics. Isn’t that great?!

But because of that, everyone now has beliefs and assumptions about what it takes to be a great virtual assistant, the best ways they can help businesses and clients, and many other expectations… 😬

So why don’t we take a closer and more accurate look at virtual assistant jobs in 2024? We think the best way to do that is through an interview with some top-performing VAs in the field! 🤩

👉 Related: 7 ways we empower VAs for business owners

Watch our interview with Outsourcing Angel VAs Fiona, Trisha and Mylyn to discover their helpful insights about what it really means to be a successful virtual assistant today.

At Outsourcing Angel, we provide health benefits, a reward system, and a fulfilling work culture to strengthen people’s careers as a virtual assistant.

👉 Related: How to build a strong remote culture for VAs and employees

We truly invest in our VAs’ well-being and future growth—and with their help, we’ve been able to help 500+ companies regain at least 20 hours per week for 10 years and counting! 🥳

If you wanna lessen your manual workload with the help of a VA, you can book a free Discovery Call with us!

We have a dedicated team that will scout, screen, and pre-interview VA candidates for your business 😉 Just click the button below to get in touch with us:

Now, let’s dive into the interview with our VAs! 👇

1. In your opinion, what’s the #1 skill that VAs should have to become successful in their roles?

Fiona Clemente (Media Buyer VA): In my opinion, the number one skill that VAs should have to become successful in their roles is adaptability. As VAs, we are in this ever-changing and fast-moving landscape and being able to roll with the punches and learn as you go is essential to thrive in this growing and ever-changing industry.

Trisha Sacdalan (General VA): In my opinion, the number one skill that a VA should possess to excel in their role is attention to detail. Being detail-oriented enables you to effectively organise your tasks, anticipate, address potential issues, and efficiently resolve problems that may arise.

Trisha Sacdalan is a General VA from Outsourcing Angel specialising in social media management.

It also allows you to handle administrative tasks with precision, ensuring that no detail is overlooked. The ability to maintain meticulous attention to detail not only benefits you personally, but also greatly impacts the success of your client and the overall business of the client.

Mylyn Ramos (General VA): For me, the number one skill you should have is [also] adaptability. Being able to learn new skills and face change, I think is the key for success [as a VA].

2. How has your role evolved since you became a VA, and what changes do you see in the future?

Fiona Clemente (Media Buyer VA): I started as just a Facebook ads assistant, just setting up ads for clients. But now I am a senior media buyer and leading a team, and now I’m more involved in media planning and strategies for our clients. So my role has evolved in both very challenging and exciting ways, and I’m just so excited to see what the future holds.

Fiona Clemente enjoyed her well-deserved trip to Australia on July 2023, which was sponsored by her client!

Mylyn Ramos (General VA): Since I became a VA, I’ve learned a lot of skills in the past and expanded my skill set. So I’m looking forward to learn more skills and opportunities for growth inside Outsourcing Angel.

3. What inspired you to work with Outsourcing Angel?

Fiona Clemente (Media Buyer VA): It was around 6 years ago, when I stumbled upon a job post in a VA-related Facebook group. So I applied for the role and it was for a Facebook Ads assistant role. When I was preparing for the initial interview, I researched about Outsourcing Angel and learned on their website that they do charity works, and that a part of their profits helps to support rural communities in the Philippines.

That’s when I thought, “Ah, I wanna be a part of that. I wanna be a part of this company. So I have to be amazing at the interview and I have to get in.” That’s what motivated me to join OA.

Trisha Sacdalan (General VA): What inspired me to work with Outsourcing Angel is the remarkable community. Working with them has been a seamless experience, and their clients display a high level of professionalism. I appreciate how Outsourcing Angel prioritises continuous learning and growth, providing ample opportunities for personal and professional development.

This aspect of their approach really resonated with me and motivated me to join their team.

4. What does your typical workday look like?

Fiona Clemente (Media Buyer VA): So I am the senior media buyer for the client that I currently work with. But first I am a mother, so I start my day helping my kids get ready for school.

Once I’ve sent them off, my typical workday is a mix of diving into clients’ ad accounts, optimising ad campaigns, setting up marketing automations and collaborating with an entire team to help clients achieve their business goals.

Mylyn Ramos (General VA): My typical work day starts with checking emails and diving into the client’s project and then communicating with the team, and then wrapping up with the review at the end of the day.

Mylyn Ramos balances her work as a VA and her important role as a mother to her kids.

Trisha Sacdalan (General VA): As a virtual assistant and social media manager, my typical workday is quite dynamic and encompasses a variety of tasks. I handle administrative duties, tackle ad hoc requests, manage email marketing campaigns, engage in video editing and graphic designing and craft compelling copy for promotional purposes.

Additionally, I conduct thorough research to support our clients’ needs, which is particularly crucial given their busy schedules. So our aim is to provide comprehensive back-end support, assisting our clients in navigating their daily responsibilities with ease.

5. Does OA help your work-life balance? How?

Fiona Clemente (Media Buyer VA): As for the work-life balance, Outsourcing Angel has it covered. From fitness programs to health benefits, they really prioritise our well-being. And being able to work at home, not having to worry about commuting, not worrying if I’ll be spending more time at the workplace than at home is the work-life balance that a mom and a wife like me really needs.

VA Fiona Clemente has enough work-life balance to travel and spend quality time with her family thanks to Outsourcing Angel.

I don’t have to worry about commuting. I don’t have to worry about spending long hours outside and not being able to take care of my kids, attend their school programs, or witness every milestone that they have in their lives. So I don’t have to worry about that because I work remotely and I am getting all the support and guidance that I need from OA.

Aside from that I also get to have the time to serve at our local church and then support the ministries that I belong in and travel, which I really love doing once in a while. So for work-life balance, [OA] is amazing.

Trisha Sacdalan (General VA): Without a doubt, Outsourcing Angel has significantly contributed to improving my work-life balance. Working primarily with Australian clients, [on a] daytime and day shift schedules has positively impacted my daily routine.

6. What tools or software do you find most valuable in your work?

Fiona Clemente (Media Buyer VA): When it comes to tools and software, I rely on platforms like Facebook ads manager, marketing automation tools, project management tools like ClickUp and then communication channels like Slack to keep things running smoothly on a day-to-day basis.

Mylyn Ramos (General VA): The valuable tools I love most are the project management tools such as Asana, Zoom, Trello, those are the things that make my life easier every day.

Trisha Sacdalan (General VA): Firstly, ClickFunnels has been indispensable for email management and marketing strategies. Additionally, Meta Business, for metrics, has proven invaluable for social media planning and analytics and allowing for strategic scheduling and performance tracking.

A sneak peek at VA Trisha’s past achievements for her clients!

And lastly, I rely heavily on organisational tools such as Asana and Notion. These platforms enable me to effectively prioritise my tasks and manage my workflow, ensuring that I stay on track and meet deadlines consistently.

7. In your opinion, what is the difference between a typical VA vs. an Outsourcing Angel VA?

Fiona Clemente (Media Buyer VA): In my opinion, the difference between a typical VA and an Angel VA is this important sense of belonging. At Outsourcing Angel, we’re more than just colleagues. We’re a close-knit community. Additionally, I think what really sets Outsourcing Angel VAs apart is our unwavering commitment to accountability, discipline, commitment, and, integrity.

These values aren’t just words on paper. They’re the guiding principles that shape every interaction that we make with our clients, every task that we do. You will be able to see it in the quality of work we deliver to our clients. We’re not satisfied with just meeting expectations. We strive to always exceed them. We try to demonstrate great work ethic and dedication every single time.

Outsourcing Angel VAs bond with the internal admin team on the 2023 annual company trip.

Mylyn Ramos (General VA): Being an Angel VA is about being a true partner rather than just completing the task.

Trisha Sacdalan (General VA): In my opinion, the key difference between a typical VA and an Outsourcing Angel VA lies in the support system they offer in Outsourcing Angel.

VAs benefit from being a part of a thriving community. Whenever a question arises, whether from the VAs or their clients, they have access to a supportive network ready to assist. This community not only provides answers, but also offers valuable lessons and understanding, fostering personal and professional growth. This is a unique aspect of Outsourcing Angel that I truly, truly appreciate.

Regardless of location, having a supportive community to rely on is invaluable for overcoming challenges and continually evolving in one’s role as a virtual assistant.

8. What challenges did you encounter in your role as a VA? Was OA able to help in these situations?

Fiona Clemente (Media Buyer VA): I have been a virtual assistant for about 13 years now. Six of those with Outsourcing Angel. The challenges would be mostly about meeting the demands or the expectations of the clients. Also using new tools based on the client’s requirements that I have to learn on the fly, because there are some tools that I haven’t used before. So I have to learn it as I use them, as I utilise them for my clients for my clients’ marketing campaigns.

Outsourcing Angel VAs bond with the internal admin team on the 2023 annual company trip.

But thankfully, I have come out stronger from these challenges every time with the help of a very supportive team, both from the client side and from Outsourcing Angel. Outsourcing Angel has been a lifesaver in challenging situations. So whether it’s resolving client issues or offering support and guidance they’re always there when I need them.

Mylyn Ramos (General VA): One of the challenges I faced was when I needed to upskill in e-commerce. Outsourcing Angel provided me with some trainings and mentorship for me to improve on that particular task, and that made a big difference.

Trisha Sacdalan (General VA): In my role as a virtual assistant, I encountered several challenges, one of which was a lack of coding skills. This became apparent when I worked with a client who required specific coding knowledge for certain tools we used in our daily tasks. So to overcome this challenge, I took the initiative to conduct research and learn from the resources available to me.

Additionally, I reached out to Outsourcing Angel for assistance in this area. Fortunately, one of the Outsourcing Angel team members who specialises in coding generously offered her expertise to help address the issue, despite it being unpaid and requiring considerable time investment on her part.

9. In your opinion, how can VAs contribute to the growth and success of their clients?

Mylyn Ramos (General VA): In my opinion, building relationships and understanding clients’ needs is the key. For you to contribute to the growth and success of your clients, you need to build a strong relationship with them and understand their needs. I think those are the things that you need to learn.

Trisha Sacdalan (General VA): Conducting thorough research, managing administrative tasks, and addressing customer inquiries or support promptly; these do not only streamline operations, but also allow the client to focus much more on core business activities that are aimed at enhancing their business. Virtual assistants enable the client to achieve greater goals productively, and it results to much more success in their ventures.

10. Who’s your go-to person in OA?

Fiona Clemente (Media Buyer VA): My go-to person at Outsourcing Angel would definitely be Miss Wendy. So Miss Wendy is our general manager, and I rely on her for pretty much everything. She’s always there and ready to lend a helping hand. She’s super friendly, accommodating, and just an all-around awesome person.

Outsourcing Angel General Manager Wendy (left) has a great relationship with CEO & Founder Linh Podetti (right).

She’s like the guardian angel of our team, always looking out for us and making sure everything runs smoothly. I’m lucky to have her support and it makes all the difference really.

Mylyn Ramos (General VA): My go-to person in Outsourcing Angel is Miss Gail. She always has great advice and she’s incredibly supportive.

Trisha Sacdalan (General VA): Fortunately, I work with a team where everyone is incredibly reliable and supportive. You heard it from me! However, if I had to choose my go-to individuals, it would be Miss Wendy and Abigail. Personally, they consistently demonstrate a proactive and responsive approach, always ensuring that every enquiry that I have is addressed promptly and effectively.

Recruitment Support Officer Abigail Kerr (left) and Client Relationship Manager Gail Galima-Mendoza (right) support our VAs to help them become indispensable to their clients.

11. What advice would you give to VAs looking to level up their skills?

Fiona Clemente (Media Buyer VA): So my advice to fellow VAs would be to just embrace the journey and be always open to learning and take on challenges with enthusiasm. And of course, never underestimate the power of community and support. So with your willingness to take on new challenges and the help of a very supportive team like Outsourcing Angel, the possibilities for upskilling are just endless.

Mylyn Ramos (General VA): One thing that I can advise an aspiring VA out there is to never stop learning. Take advantage of the resources, and training opportunities. Seek feedback [from] your clients and your colleagues. And don’t be afraid to come out of your comfort zone.

Trisha Sacdalan (General VA): For virtual assistants aiming to enhance their skills, my advice would be to embrace the journey wholeheartedly and always, always believe in your capabilities and your skills, and trust that you have a capacity to excel or to do more.

As a virtual assistant, it’s paramount to continually refine our skills and adapt to meet the client’s needs. Personal growth and skill enhancement not only benefit our professional [life], but also contribute to our overall well-being and sense of fulfilment. By prioritising skill development, we not only become more effective in our work, but also we cultivate a greater sense of purpose and satisfaction for ourselves as a virtual assistant.