How to Get a Remote Administrative Assistant Jobs (Even Without Experience)
Breaking the Myth of Experience
Do you feel overwhelmed by the idea of landing a remote administrative assistant job without prior experience? You’re not alone. Many people believe that the only way to secure this type of job is by having years of experience, but that mindset is rapidly changing. Today’s employers are looking for much more than just a resume filled with past roles. What they truly value are human skills: the ability to communicate effectively, adapt quickly, and understand their needs.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to land a remote administrative assistant job even if you’re starting from scratch. We’ll show you how to sell yourself effectively, how to build real experience as you work, and how to continuously grow in this field, regardless of your experience level. Join us on this journey, and take the first steps toward your career as a remote administrative assistant.
1. Why Selling Yourself Matters More Than Experience
While experience is important — and something you’ll continue to build over time — it’s not the only factor that clients care about. What matters just as much, if not more, is your ability to understand their needs and offer clear solutions.
Clients are looking for:
Strong communication
Organization
Proactive problem-solving
Flexibility and reliability
If you can quickly identify what a client needs and explain how you’ll address it, you can stand out even against more experienced competitors who don’t tailor their approach.
Pro Tip: Every interaction is an opportunity to make clients feel understood, supported, and confident in your ability to deliver.
2. Crafting a Standout Remote Administrative Profile
Your profile is your first impression when applying for remote admin assistant jobs. Make it count.
Focus on:
Headline: Be specific and skill-oriented.
Summary: Address the client’s needs, not just your background.
Skills Section: Emphasize both hard skills (Google Workspace, Slack, Asana) and soft skills (communication, time management).
Portfolio Tip: Having a portfolio significantly strengthens your profile. Even as a beginner, you can showcase sample projects, certifications, or client testimonials. Check out our resource The Importance of a Professional Portfolio for a Virtual Assistant for a step-by-step guide to building an impactful portfolio.
We also recommend reading How to Showcase Your Value as a VA and Attract New Clients to maximize your opportunities.
At Avila VA, we are committed to helping Virtual Assistants find meaningful work and grow their careers through hands-on experience and personalized guidance. Equally important to us is ensuring that clients connect with the right support — not just based on experience, but on a clear understanding of their needs and the ability to deliver tailored solutions. We believe that true value lies in matching the right talent with the right opportunity, where communication, proactivity, and dedication make all the difference.
3. Invest in Training to Accelerate Your Growth
Continuous learning is one of the fastest ways to build both confidence and effectiveness as a Virtual Assistant. Structured training not only sharpens your technical skills — such as organization, communication, and digital tools — but also helps you develop the emotional intelligence that today’s clients value deeply. In a world increasingly driven by technology, the "human factor" is what truly sets you apart. (Learn more about why emotional intelligence is your best asset in our blog The Human Factor in the Age of Artificial Intelligence).
Where to start:
Consider certifications from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) or the Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA).
Pro Tip: Investing in professional training early on gives you a competitive edge and demonstrates your commitment to prospective clients.
4. Understand Your Client: The Secret to Winning Jobs
In the world of remote administrative work, technical skills matter — but understanding your client’s world matters even more. The most successful Virtual Assistants go beyond simply reading a job description; they take the time to truly study who the client is, what they value, and where they need the most support.
Before applying:
Research thoroughly: Visit the company’s website, review their mission, vision, and recent initiatives to get a full picture of their priorities.
Identify underlying needs: Look beyond the tasks listed. What bigger goals or challenges is the client trying to address by bringing someone onto their team?
Adapt your communication: Mirror the client’s tone, priorities, and language style in your application to show that you’re aligned with their vision and culture.
Powerful tip: Focus on applying to opportunities that genuinely interest and motivate you. When you feel a real connection with the client’s mission or project, your research becomes much more natural and effective — and your enthusiasm will show in every interaction.
If a client emphasizes "intelligent human support," don’t just echo their words — demonstrate how your emotional intelligence, adaptability, and initiative can deliver the solutions they’re seeking. When you truly understand what matters to them, you move from being just another applicant to becoming the obvious choice.
5. Building Experience While You Work
Experience isn’t something you wait to gain — it’s something you build, moment by moment, project by project. Every task you take on, no matter how small, adds a new layer of skills, confidence, and credibility. The journey to becoming a sought-after Virtual Assistant doesn’t begin with a perfect resume; it begins with action, commitment, and a willingness to grow.
Practical ways to start building real-world experience:
Offer your skills through freelance remote work: Each client you help teaches you something new.
Volunteer for nonprofits: Supporting a cause you care about not only makes an impact — it builds your portfolio and shows your dedication.
Complete short certifications: Platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning offer courses that can sharpen your skills and enhance your credibility quickly.
Remember: It’s not about where you start, but how you move forward. Each project is a stepping stone, each interaction a lesson, and each effort a proof of your value. Over time, your experience becomes not just a list of tasks — but a story of growth, resilience, and potential realized.
6. Start Applying and Keep Learning
The path to success as a Virtual Assistant is built on consistent effort and a willingness to learn from every experience. Apply regularly to remote administrative positions on platforms like Upwork, FlexJobs, and other specialized remote job boards. The more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll discover about the work you truly enjoy and the clients you’re best suited to serve.
Best Practices:
Stay professional and responsive: Every interaction is an opportunity to build your reputation and show your reliability.
Customize each application: Tailor your approach to reflect the specific needs of the client, demonstrating your genuine interest and effort.
Treat every client and task as a learning opportunity: Each project, no matter how small, contributes to your growth and understanding of the field.
Over time, your experience will become more than just a list of jobs — it will be a tapestry of skills, relationships, and insights that guide you to the right opportunities. You’ll begin to see patterns in the industries and services that align with your strengths and passions, and with each application, you’ll grow closer to finding your true professional calling.
Pro Tip: The more you embrace the process of learning and evolving, the more you’ll refine your craft and uncover the areas where you can truly shine.
7. Your Experience Grows With You
Experience is built with every action you take. Every step you take, whether it's crafting your profile, interacting with clients, or tackling small projects, brings you closer to your goal.
It’s not about having everything figured out from the start; it’s about being willing to learn and grow continuously. As you keep applying, learning, and adapting, your skills will evolve, and your confidence will strengthen. More important than what you think you don’t know, what truly matters is your willingness to move forward, learn, and turn every challenge into an opportunity.
Remember, your true potential is revealed on the journey, not just at the destination. So start today. The key lies in continuous action, constant learning, and always keeping in mind the goal of providing valuable solutions to your clients. Success is not about past experience, but your ability to grow and adapt. And you're already on the right path
