What is a Virtual Assistant?

NOTE: Virtual Assistants: You are free to use this definition on your website if used in its entirety and without alteration. Just be sure you include the attribution link at the end.

Our Virtual Assistant definition encompasses the spirit our profession was originally founded upon, and reinforces to anyone reading it, whether that's a new Virtual Assistant or prospective client, who we are, what we do and what our qualifications are.

Virtual Assistants who use our definition tell the business world they belong to an elite class of Virtual Assistants with the highest of professional qualifications and standards.

Virtual Assistant Definition

A Virtual Assistant (or VA) is a service provider who specializes in providing administrative support services and works with clients in an ongoing, collaborative professional relationship.

Virtual Assistants are business owners who work from their own offices and utilize today's technology to deliver their services and communicate with clients.

A Virtual Assistant's support is foundationally administrative, secretarial and clerical in nature. However, many Virtual Assistants offer additional specialties that fall under creative and technical services.

Virtual Assistants come from a variety of business backgrounds, but the single-most important qualification to become a Virtual Assistant is at least five (5) years administrative experience earned in the real (non-virtual) business world working in upper level capacities such as administrative assistant, executive assistant, secretary, legal assistant, paralegal, legal secretary, real estate assistant, office manager, etc.

From this level of experience, a VA is expected to possess the skill sets, training and business knowledge which are the hallmark of a truly qualified Virtual Assistant.

Virtual Assistant Definition from the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce

IMPORTANT NOTE: This definition is copyrighted. We give Virtual Assistants license to use our definition. However, license to use DOES NOT MEAN license to alter or edit. This definition MAY NOT be changed or edited in any way, and if you are going to use it, it must be unaltered and used in its entirety. No part of it may be changed! Our definition is for the benefit of individual VAs. VA organizations may use our definition, however, they MUST attribute the VACOC as the originating author with a link back to our site, and they MAY NOT edit it in any way whatsoever. Our Virtual Assistant definition is the highest standard in the industry, along with AssistU's, and it's important to us that our message remain in tact. THIS IS NOT NEGOTIABLE.

Gloria H. I love it here at VACOCl! It’s an educational experience whenever I read a post. It has been such a wonderful experience being part of this community. People share their heart, they share their experience, their wisdom. It’s really an educational experience. Every time I open a post I’m so thankful I found this community. I’ve also appreciated the forms that I’ve been able to purchase through the VACOC because they’ve helped me in interview situations and getting organized. So, I hope to be part of this group for a long time. Thank you!

Gloria Henning, GCH Virtual Assistance