How To Write a Virtual Assistant Resume
Crafting a resume that effectively highlights your talents and experiences in the virtual realm is not just a task; it’s a strategic endeavor to open doors to a world of opportunities. Learn how to create a standout virtual assistant resume. Showcase your proficiency in navigating the digital workspace and your ability to provide invaluable support to clients and businesses in need.
You may be a seasoned virtual assistant looking to take your career to the next level or a newcomer ready to embark on this exciting path. Either way, this guide will help you compose a resume that sets you apart in the world of remote work.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Write a brief summary of your virtual assistant qualifications
A well-crafted profile summary can immediately grab the attention of potential employers and make them eager to learn more about your qualifications. Your profile summary should be concise (usually only around three to five sentences). Also, it must be compelling and tailored to the specific employer you’re submitting your resume to. Be sure to emphasize your ability to deliver high-quality administrative support in remote settings, as this is an essential component of any virtual assistant role.
Profile Example #1
A Virtual Assistant with three years of experience, specializing in administrative support, calendar management, travel planning, and client relations. A strong history of planning events and identifying improvement opportunities for administrative functions. Adept at supporting onboarding procedures and HR functions for new hires.
Profile Example #2
A Virtual Assistant with four years of experience, specializing in executive support, marketing, accounts payables, and operations management. A strong history of planning events and identifying improvement opportunities for administrative functions. Adept at supporting onboarding procedures and HR functions for new hires.
2. Add a compelling section featuring your virtual assistant experience
The best way to make a strong impression on potential employers is to display your professional accomplishments. Including monetary figures and metrics will help demonstrate your ability to create value for the companies you work for. For example, if you developed a new process to improve office operations, include the number of work hours you saved or how much you reduced costs.
Virtual assistants also often interface with executives and management teams on a daily basis. In addition, they may serve as the point of contact for clients or departments. Companies want candidates who can communicate effectively across all levels of the organization, and it’s important to demonstrate your related expertise with tangible examples.
Professional Experience Example #1
Virtual Assistant, Allen and Roberts Legal Associates, Nashville, TN September 2019 – Present
- Deliver administrative and secretarial support for legal and marketing departments, field phone inquiries, and schedule appointments and consultations
- Create agendas and manage calendars for firm lawyers, which includes coordinating travel planning, booking flights, and arranging lodging
- Conduct expense reporting for office supplies and interface with vendors to coordinate purchases and schedule delivery
- Create and manage client invoices, process payments, and communicate with clients to develop payment plans and resolve invoice discrepancies
Professional Experience Example #2
Virtual Assistant, Johnson Finance Consultants, Boston, MA September 2018 – Present
- Manage calendars for the CEO and CFO of a leading financial firm, coordinate travel for 60+ employees, interviewees, and guests per year, secure flights, hotels, and transportation, and oversee an annual travel budget valued at $250K
- Identify administrative issues with data entry and filing procedures and propose solutions to streamline operations, resulting in a reduction of 15 work hours per week
- Create agendas for executive meetings, update action items, and gather data from cross-functional departments to create PowerPoint presentations
3. Add your virtual assistant education and certifications
There are several certifications that a virtual assistant might hold. One of the most recognized is the Certified Virtual Assistant (CVA) certification, designed to help individuals gain the skills and knowledge needed to work as a virtual assistant. This certification covers topics such as customer service, time management, communication, organization, and more.
If you’re not certified, consider looking into the process — it can go a long way toward proving your dedication and knowledgeability for the virtual assistant job.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Associate of Arts (A.A.) Business Administration
- Boston Community College, Boston, MA May 2015 – May 2017
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) | April 2020
4. Make a list of your virtual assistant-related skills and proficiencies
Incorporating key skills that align with the job posting is critical to ensure compliance with applicant tracking system (ATS) software requirements. If your resume lacks a certain number of keywords during the initial scan, you won’t advance to the next phase of the application process. It’s also essential to emphasize these key terms to show hiring managers you have all the relevant qualifications and skills the organization needs.
Below is a list of keywords you may encounter during your job search.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Accounts payable (AP) | Administrative support |
| Agenda planning | Asana |
| Budget management | Calendar management |
| Client relations | Communication |
| Customer relationship management (CRM) | Customer service |
| Event management | Event planning |
| Executive communications | Executive support |
| Expense reporting | Human resources (HR) |
| Marketing | Microsoft Excel |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Microsoft Word |
| Operations management | Social media |
| Travel itinerary | Travel planning |
| Trello | Vendor relations |
How To Pick the Best Virtual Assistant Resume Template
When selecting a resume template as a professional virtual assistant, remember your resume should be well-organized, easy to read, and visually appealing. Look for one that is clean and simple, with plenty of white space to make it easy to read. Avoid busy or cluttered templates, as they can be difficult to navigate and may not be well-received by hiring managers. Don’t be afraid to customize your template to fit your specific needs. You may need to add or remove sections depending on your experience and qualifications, so choose a flexible template to accommodate these changes.
Virtual Assistant Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Jessica Lin
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Boston, MA 12345
Profile
A Virtual Assistant with four years of experience, specializing in executive support, marketing, accounts payables, and operations management. A strong history of planning events and identifying improvement opportunities for administrative functions. Adept at supporting onboarding procedures and HR functions for new hires.
Professional Experience
Virtual Assistant, Johnson Finance Consultants, Boston, MA
September 2018 – Present
- Manage calendars for the CEO and CFO of a leading financial firm, coordinate travel for 60+ employees, interviewees, and guests per year, secure flights, hotels, and transportation, and oversee an annual travel budget valued at $250K
- Identify administrative issues with data entry and filing procedures and propose solutions to streamline operations, resulting in a reduction of 15 work hours per week
- Create agendas for executive meetings, update action items, and gather data from cross-functional departments to create PowerPoint presentations
Virtual Assistant, New England Financial Firm, Boston, MA
May 2017 – September 2018
- Served as the point of contact for client accounts valued at $100K-$250K, fielded inquiries, resolved account issues, and identified solutions to customer needs
- Oversaw an $80K office budget for supplies and created expense reports
- Managed executive calendars, created itineraries, and drafted email correspondence
- Utilized Trello and Asana to coordinate operational tasks for the office team
Education
Associate of Arts (A.A.) Business Administration
Boston Community College, Boston, MA May 2015 – May 2017
Key Skills
- Account Management
- Executive Support
- Budget Management
- Logistics
- Operations Management
Certifications
- Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), 2020
Frequently Asked Questions: Virtual Assistant Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for virtual assistant resumes?-
One of the ways to make your resume stand out is to use action verbs in your bullet points. These words describe what you did, how you did it, and what you achieved. They can showcase your skills, accomplishments, and impact in a clear and concise way. Action verbs can also make your resume more dynamic and engaging and catch the attention of hiring managers.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Communicated |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Created | Developed |
| Drove | Enhanced |
| Identified | Implemented |
| Improved | Interfaced |
| Led | Managed |
| Organized | Oversaw |
| Partnered | Planned |
| Resolved | Supported |
How do you align your resume with a virtual assistant job description?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for administrative assistants was $44,080 in May 2022. Jobs for virtual assistants often fall under the same umbrella, so there’s less specific data regarding this relatively new job field. However, administrative assistant jobs are expected to decline by 10% over the next decade, making this an incredibly competitive field. To garner interest from potential employers, be sure to tailor your resume to individual job descriptions.
For example, if an employer is seeking a virtual assistant with a strong background in calendar management, emphasize your ability to manage schedules and agendas for executives. If an organization is searching for a candidate with exceptional event planning skills, mention your history of organizing company events and coordinating travel arrangements.
What is the best virtual assistant resume format?-
The reverse chronological format is the most commonly used format for resumes in general, including virtual assistant resumes. This format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backward. It highlights your most recent and relevant work experience, which is what employers are most interested in. Also, it allows you to display your career progression and growth over time.
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Once you’re done with your resume, send it off to your prospective employer by adding a cover letter. This is a great opportunity to speak directly to the hiring manager and explain why you’re the best candidate for the job.
A cover should be fairly succinct. Try not to exceed more than 400 words — 250 to 300 is ideal. For more information and ideas, view our administrative assistant cover letter examples.
