SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI COLLEGE

96 Bayanan, City of Bacoor Cavite

UNLOCKING JOB CREATION POTENTIAL: EXPLORING THE

ROLE OF VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

A Research Proposal Presented to the

Faculty of the
School of Business Administration

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Major in Financial Management

By

Yori G. Alarana
Sette Sofia B. Magongcar

December 2023
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 – The Problem and Literature Review

Background of the Study
Literature Review
Theoretical Framework
Research Problems and Hypothesis
Scope and Limitations
Definition of Terms

CHAPTER 2 – Procedures
Research Design
Sampling Participants
Instrumentation
Data Gathering Procedure
Data Analysis
Potential Ethical Issues

CHAPTER 3 – Result and Discussion

Results and Discussions

CHAPTER 4 – Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation

Summary of the Study
Summary of Results
Limitations of the Study
Conclusions
Recommendations

REFERENCES

APPENDICES
Appendix A: Invitation to Participate in a Research Project
Appendix B: Survey Questionnaire to Filipino Virtual Assistant
Appendix C: Content Validity Assessment
 CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Background of the Study

The rapid advancement of technology has transformed the global workforce,

leading to the emergence of new employment opportunities and job roles. One such trend

is the increasing prevalence of virtual assistants, who provide administrative, technical, or

creative support to individuals or organizations remotely. Virtual assistants have become

an integral part of various industries, offering cost-effective and flexible solutions for

businesses worldwide.

In the Philippines, the virtual assistant industry has experienced significant growth

in recent years. The country has emerged as a major player in the global outsourcing

market, known for its skilled workforce and proficiency in English. The virtual assistant

sector has provided employment opportunities for many Filipinos, enabling them to work

remotely and tap into a global client base. The potential for job creation in this industry is

substantial, with the ability to generate employment, boost economic growth, and

contribute to the overall development of the country. However, despite the growth of the

virtual assistant industry in the Philippines, there is still a need to explore and understand

the factors that can unlock its job creation potential. The role of training and development

programs in enhancing the skills, competencies, and job prospects of virtual assistants is a

critical area of investigation.

Training and development programs play a crucial role in equipping virtual

assistants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to excel in their roles. These

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programs can enhance their productivity, efficiency, and overall performance, enabling

them to deliver high quality services to clients. Furthermore, training and development

initiatives can also foster continuous learning, upskilling, and professional growth among

virtual assistants, contributing to their career advancement and income generation.

However, while training and development programs hold great promise, their

effectiveness, accessibility, and alignment with the evolving needs of virtual assistants

require careful examination. Understanding the specific training and development

requirements of virtual assistants and evaluating the impact of these programs on job

creation potential are essential for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and training

providers to shape effective strategies and interventions.

Therefore, this research study aims to explore the role of training and development

programs in unlocking the job creation potential of virtual assistants in the Philippines. By

investigating the perceptions, experiences, and outcomes of virtual assistants who have

undergone training and development, the study seeks to identify best practices,

challenges, and opportunities for enhancing the effectiveness and accessibility of such

programs. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers,

employers, and training providers to shape evidence-based strategies that maximize the

job creation potential of virtual assistants in the Philippines and contribute to sustainable

economic growth.

Literature Review

The literature highlights the significant growth of the virtual assistant industry

globally. Virtual assistants have emerged as a flexible and cost-effective solution for

businesses and individuals seeking administrative, technical, or creative support. Studies

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indicate that the demand for virtual assistants has been fueled by advancements in

communication technology, the rise of remote work, and the need for outsourcing non-core

tasks. However, there is a paucity of research specifically focusing on the growth of the

virtual assistant industry in the Philippines.

On Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant is an administrative service provider who offers remote support

to clients, without being physically present in their office. A virtual assistant typically

operates from a dedicated home office and can remotely access essential planning

documents, such as shared calendars. Virtual assistants generally possess extensive

experience as administrative assistants or office managers before being employed in this

position. Virtual assistants with expertise in social media, content management, graphic

design, blog writing, and internet marketing are now able to capitalize on emerging

opportunities. The rise in remote work, especially in the post-COVID-19 era, is expected to

lead to a higher demand for proficient virtual assistants (Kenton, 2023).

Virtual assistantship has emerged as a significant trend in the global workforce,

offering a range of administrative, technical, and creative services remotely. The growth of

this industry in the Philippines presents a unique opportunity to explore its role in

unlocking job creation potential.

Skills Development and Training Programs: Training and development programs

play a crucial role in enhancing the skills and competencies of virtual assistants. Research

by Johnson (2018) emphasized the importance of training programs that focus on

technical skills, communication, time management, and client relations. These programs

were found to have a positive impact on the job performance and overall satisfaction of

virtual assistants.
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 Economic Impact and Entrepreneurship: The virtual assistant industry has also

been recognized for its contribution to economic growth. Studies by Roberts and Turner

(2020) highlighted the role of virtual assistantship in fostering entrepreneurship,

particularly among women and individuals in underserved communities. Virtual assistants

often establish their own businesses, creating employment opportunities for themselves

and others.

Market Demand and Industry Trends: Understanding market demand and industry

trends is crucial for unlocking job creation potential. Research by Anderson et al. (2021)

explored the emerging sectors and specialized services where virtual assistants are in high

demand. The study emphasized the need for virtual assistants to adapt to changing market

needs and develop expertise in areas such as e-commerce, social media management, and

digital marketing.

Challenges and Opportunities: While virtual assistantship offers numerous

opportunities, it also presents challenges. Studies have identified issues such as client

acquisition, work-life balance, and navigating the global market. Research by Garcia

(2019) emphasized the importance of support networks, mentorship programs, and

collaboration platforms to address these challenges and enhance the sustainability and job

creation potential of virtual assistants.

Virtual Assistant skills: Virtual Assistant requires a combination of hard and soft

skills to perform their tasks effectively, and here are some hard and soft skills of Virtual

assistant. Technical Proficiency, virtual assistants need to be proficient in using various

software, tools, and platforms relevant to their role. Data Entry and Management, virtual

assistants often handle data entry tasks, such as updating databases, organizing

information, and maintaining records. They should have strong data management skills to

ensure accuracy and efficiency in handling data. Research Abilities, virtual assistants
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may be responsible for conducting research on various topics, gathering information, and

preparing reports. They should be skilled in using search engines, online databases, and

other research tools to find relevant and reliable information. Here are some soft skills that

Virtual Assistant has, Communication Skills: Virtual assistants need to possess excellent

communication skills to understand user queries, provide accurate information, and

engage in meaningful conversations. Active listening, a virtual assistant should be an

active listener, paying close attention to user queries, concerns, or requests. By listening

attentively, they can better understand user needs and provide appropriate responses or

assistance. Problem Solving skills, virtual assistants often encounter various challenges

and user problems. Effective problem-solving skills enable them to analyze issues,

identify solutions, and provide relevant guidance or information to users. And

Professionalism, virtual assistants should maintain a professional attitude and conduct

themselves appropriately in all interactions.

On Perceived Gains of Virtual Work

The adoption of virtual assistants is increasingly widespread and is a valuable

resource for companies of all sizes. Virtual assistants have emerged as a practical solution

for supporting entrepreneurs, business owners, and managers in a wide range of tasks and

responsibilities. Furthermore, it has become a viable option for prospective employees to

work remotely from home. The concept of virtual work has emerged as a promising

arrangement that allows employees to effectively balance their work and personal lives,

ultimately leading to increased job satisfaction and productivity.

One part of a flexible work arrangement is the ability to change working hours

and/or location. The goal is to help employees find a better work-life balance. Virtual

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workers who are allowed to do their jobs from home or other places by using technology.

Employees and companies can work together to let workers do their jobs from somewhere

other than the company's main office. This has changed the workplace so much that

employees can now do their jobs from anywhere, not just the traditional office. Recent

fast progress in technology has made it possible for most work to be done in remote areas.

These days, workers hate the thought of having to travel for simple tasks. Today's

technologically advanced settings are seeing more and more use of virtual offices. These

offices have been used for decades to improve the efficiency of businesses and increase

job satisfaction (Mohite and Kulkarni, 2019).

A risk-free atmosphere, job security, or appropriate organizational structures and

norms are all things that employees might desire. Workers can create a sense of

community at work once this requirement is met. People who enjoy their jobs typically do

so because they get along well with both their superiors and coworkers. Working from

home offers several advantages that have been explored in the literature. Literatures have

highlighted benefits such as increased flexibility in work hours, improved work-life

balance, reduced commuting time and costs, and higher levels of job satisfaction (Golden,

2020). Additionally, remote work has been associated with increased productivity, as

employees can create a personalized and comfortable work environment that suits their

needs (Bloom et al., 2015). An employee's physiological demands are met in part by the

compensation and health benefits supplied by their employer. Research suggests that

remote work can enhance work-life balance by allowing employees to manage personal

and professional responsibilities more effectively (Gajendran & Harrison, 2007).

Furthermore, as mentioned by Zhang (2016), modification in communication modalities

among coworkers, the interpersonal dynamics of receiving acknowledgement for

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achievements, and the balance between professional and personal life in online work

environments can significantly impact employees' job satisfaction.

There are various benefits that organizations can derive from virtual workforces,

which encompass: Virtual work has been found to be positively associated with employee

job satisfaction, which in turn leads to increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, and

more effective recruitment of top-tier candidates. The retention of high-quality employees

is facilitated by flexibility, especially in conventional work environments. In

contemporary society, virtual workforces afford substantial advantages to enterprises. An

increasing number of staff members appreciate and appreciate the convenience and

increased choices that come with remote work for both employers and job seekers (Allied

Telecom, 2015).

On Creating Job Opportunities

Creating job opportunities is a critical aspect of unlocking job creation potential,

particularly in emerging industries such as virtual assistantship. In recent years, there has

been a growing demand for outsourcing services. Due to the potential advantages, it

offers, a growing number of business owners are exploring the feasibility of adopting it as

a potential alternative to their current company framework. Outsourcing businesses that

offer virtual assistants are highly sought after due to the high demand for this service.

These services may encompass aid in marketing and advertising, administrative

assistance, and potentially other additional services. The profession has a clear description

of the tasks that need to be completed and can be done remotely. The description of this

profession makes it more favorable for many applicants and help to create a various job

opportunity (Leano, 2022).

Job Creation and Economic Development: Job creation is closely tied to economic

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development. Studies by Stiglitz (2017) emphasize the importance of fostering

entrepreneurship and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. In the

context of virtual assistantship, job creation potential can be maximized through

supportive policies, infrastructure development, and access to markets.

Role of Virtual Assistants in Job Creation: Virtual assistants can play a significant

role in job creation. As the demand for virtual assistant services grows, virtual assistants

often expand their operations and hire additional staff. Research by Gupta and Gupta

(2018) highlighted the role of virtual assistants as job creators, particularly through the

establishment of virtual assistant agencies and the outsourcing of work to other virtual

assistants.

Skills and Training for Job Creation: Developing the necessary skills and

competencies is crucial for unlocking job creation potential. Studies by Toner (2016)

emphasized the importance of providing training programs that equip individuals,

including virtual assistants, with the skills required by the job market. Training initiatives

that focus on technical skills, communication, and business management can enhance job

creation potential.

Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment: Job creation can be fostered through

entrepreneurship and self-employment. Virtual assistantship offers opportunities for

individuals to establish their own businesses and create employment for themselves and

others. Research by Hisrich (2019) highlighted the role of entrepreneurship in job creation

and economic growth, emphasizing the need for support systems and mentorship

programs to facilitate entrepreneurial success.

Challenges and Opportunities in Job Creation: Job creation is not without

challenges. Studies have identified barriers such as access to capital, limited market

opportunities, and skill.

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gaps. Research by Dees and Anderson (2018) emphasized the need for comprehensive

support systems, including access to financing, business development resources, and

networking opportunities, to address these challenges and unlock job creation potential.

Virtual Assistant Industry and Job Creation: Studies have highlighted the positive

impact of the virtual assistant industry on job creation. The flexible nature of virtual

assistantship allows for remote employment opportunities, particularly in regions with a

skilled workforce like the Philippines. Research by Smith (2019) showed that virtual

assistantship contributed significantly to employment generation, especially for

individuals seeking flexible work arrangements and those in rural areas with limited job

prospects.

Theoretical Framework

Human Capital Theory according to Claudia Goldin (2016) posits that investments

in education, training, and skills development lead to an increase in human capital, which

in turn enhances individual productivity and contributes to economic growth.

In the context of virtual assistants in the Philippines, the application of Human

Capital Theory helps us understand the link between training and development programs

and the job creation potential of virtual assistants. By investing in training and skill

development initiatives, virtual assistants can acquire and enhance the knowledge,

competencies, and capabilities necessary for their roles. As a result, they become more

productive and efficient, delivering high.

quality services to clients and potentially expanding their scope of work.

Training and development programs provide virtual assistants with opportunities

to upgrade their technical skills, improve their communication abilities, and develop

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essential business management competencies. These investments in human capital can

positively impact their job performance, career advancement, and income generation. As

virtual assistants become more skilled and proficient, they can attract more clients,

increase their marketability, and potentially create job opportunities for others by

expanding their operations or establishing virtual assistant agencies.

Moreover, Human Capital Theory also highlights the role of human capital

spillovers, which refers to the positive externalities created when individuals share their

knowledge and skills with others. In the context of virtual assistants, this can occur

through collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge exchange within the virtual assistant

community. As virtual assistants invest in their own human capital, they contribute to the

overall growth and development of the virtual assistant industry in the Philippines,

creating a positive environment for job creation. Human Capital Theory provides a lens to

explore how investments in human capital can unlock job opportunities, economic

growth, and the virtual assistant industry.

Research Paradigm

Figure 1 provides a representation of the research paradigm. The incorporation of

human capital into the investigation is illustrated. The researchers use of quantitative

research methods, accordingly, the positivist paradigm has been adopted by the researcher.

In this model, the researcher is given the freedom to investigate, comprehend phenomena,

and single out various variables using an approach that is objective and scientific in nature

to solve the research problems.

In addition to this, the framework placed an emphasis on the procedure and concept

of the study, beginning with the investigation of Filipino virtual assistance as a form of

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human capital. Analyses were conducted about the study, which were Filipino virtual

assistants, their hard and soft skills and qualifications, as well as the primary tasks and

responsibilities that they carried out. The roles, importance, and qualities of Filipino virtual

assistants can be determined through exploration of these variables, which can serve as the

foundation for proposed training and development programs.

Figure 1. Research Paradigm of the Study

Research Problems

The research problem in the study "Unlocking Job Creation Potential: Exploring

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the Role of Virtual Assistants in the Philippines" is to identify the factors that influence

the job creation potential of virtual assistants in the Philippines. The study aims to

understand the opportunities and challenges associated with virtual assistantship as a

means of employment and its impact on job creation in the country.

1. What is the demographic profile of Filipino virtual assistants in terms of:

1.1 Age

1.2 Sex

1.3 Estimated Earning Per Hour

1.4 Work Duration as Virtual Assistant

1.5 Employment Status

1.6 Average Hours Spend Working Per Day

1.7 Educational Attainment

2. What are the critical skills and qualifications required for virtual assistants in the

Philippines to unlock job creation potential?

3. What are the roles of Filipino virtual assistant in the Philippines?

4. Is there a significant relationship between critical skills, roles, and qualification in

hiring Filipino virtual assistant?

5. Based on the findings of the study, what are the different training and development

programs can be recommended to unlock virtual assistants’ jobs to/for Filipino?

The research problem revolves around understanding the specific factors that

contributes to job creation potential for virtual assistants in the Philippines. Identifying

skill gaps as one aspect of the problem is to identify the specific skill gaps or deficiencies

that may exist among virtual assistants in the Philippines. This includes understanding the

skills required by the market and determining if virtual assistants possess those skills. By
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identifying these gaps, the research aims to uncover areas for improvement and

development that can enhance job creation potential. Assessing training and development

another aspect is to evaluate the effectiveness and accessibility of training and

development. This involves understanding the types of training programs offered, the

extent to which they address skill gaps, and the impact they have on the job creation

potential of virtual assistants. It also involves exploring any challenges or barriers faced

by virtual assistants in accessing these programs.

Examining market dynamics, the research problem also involves examining the

market dynamics and demand for virtual assistant services in the Philippines. This

includes identifying the sectors or industries where virtual assistants are in high demand

and understanding the factors that influence job creation within those sectors. Market

demands the level of demand for virtual assistant services in different sectors and

industries plays a significant role in job creation potential. Factors such as market growth,

client preferences, and emerging trends can impact the demand for virtual assistants and

determine the number of job opportunities available.

Hypothesis of the Study

The study implies that critical skills, roles, and qualification are valuable asset to

unlock job opportunities in new market as virtual assistant. The following are the stated

hypothesis of the study.

Ho: Theres is no significant relationship between critical skills, roles, and

qualification in hiring Filipino virtual assistant.

Ha. Theres is a significant relationship between critical skills, roles, and

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qualification in hiring Filipino virtual assistant.

Scope and Limitations

This study focuses on unlocking job creation potential: exploring the role of

virtual assistants in the Philippines. The data and information collected scope the Filipino

VAs demographics, key skills and qualifications required, and primary task and

responsibilities performed by virtual assistant workers in the Philippines to unlock job

creation potential. The study covered only Filipino VAs currently employed full-time,

part-time, or freelancer around the Philippines.

The study is limited in descriptive-quantitative approach, with the use of survey

questionnaire as a research instrument. Online platform such as social media is the

limitation of connection and interaction with the respondents, conducted school year

2023-2024.

Definition of terms

These definitions serve as the foundation for effective communication and ensure

that researchers and readers share a common understanding of the terminology employed

in the operational context. Researchers define and clarify the key terms relevant to the

study. The operational definitions provide precise explanations that align with the

operational context and objectives the study.

Employment Opportunities: Refers to the potential of virtual assistant to create

employments opportunities to other Filipino or job seekers in the Philippines.

Exploring: The act of investigating and examining of the researchers to Filipino virtual

assistants to know their skills, responsibilities and other information that can be used in

Job creation in the Philippines.

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Job Creation: Refers to the understanding on how virtual assistants contribute to the

creation of employment opportunities in the Philippines.

Job Market: Refers to the presence of Filipino virtual assistants influences the job market

in the Philippines.

Role: The specific responsibilities, functions, and contributions that virtual assistants

undertake within the context of job creation. This refers to the practical tasks and

activities performed by virtual assistants that contribute to employment opportunities.

Unlocking: The process of uncovering into the hidden potential job creation in the

Philippines. It implies that the information of Filipino virtual assistant provide use as

resources exist but not fully utilized.

Virtual Assistants: Filipino virtual assistants who provide various administrative,

technical, or creative support remotely to clients and the respondent who can define the

skills, responsibilities, and other information of virtual assistant work.

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 CHAPTER 2

METHODS

This section of the research paper outlines the methodologies employed to carry out

the study. The research method outlined the research design, including the sampling and

participants, the instrumentation used, the data gathering procedure, the data analysis

approach, and the potential ethical concerns.

Research Design

This research adopts a quantitative research design to the investigation of

experiences, perceptions, and working conditions of the Filipino virtual assistant.

Quantitative research is well suited to this study to define the research question that the

study aims to address such as demographics of Filipino VAs, key skills and qualifications

required, primary task and responsibilities performed, and possible training and

development programs to unlock VA Jobs to/for Filipino. According to Bhandari (2023),

quantitative research consists of two primary components: the collection and analysis of

numerical data. It can be utilized to identify patterns and calculate averages, examine

causal relationships, make predictions, and extrapolate findings to larger populations.

Furthermore, the study employed correlational approach. Correlational identify the

direction of the association between two variables, or more is reflected. Correlational

research investigates and describes the relationship between variables without the

researcher altering or modifying any of them. A correlation's direction might be either

16
positive or negative (Bhabdari, 2023). This research design is appropriate for the purposes

of the study. Using this method, it concluded the measure of relationship between critical

skills, roles, and qualification in hiring Filipino virtual assistant.

Sampling and Participants

The participants of the study are the Filipino Virtual Assistant that is currently

employed full-time, part-time, or freelancer around the Philippines. The researcher selects

the target population as the Filipino Virtual Assistant, as they meet the qualification to be

a reliable and valid source of data and information to address the objectives of the study.

Currently employed Filipino Virtual Assistant undoubtably experience the hiring process

and acquired adequate skills and knowledge about their job. These qualify them as

reliable source of data and a definite target population.

Furthermore, the study used simple random sampling to select Filipino Virtual

Assistant aims to describe the demographics of Filipino virtual assistants’ key skills and

qualifications required, primary task and responsibilities performed, and possible training

and development programs to unlock virtual assistant jobs for Filipino without biases.

According to Thomas (2023), simple random sampling is a method, that every individual

member of the population has an equal probability of being selected. The simplicity of this

method lies in its singular random selection process and its minimal requirement for prior

knowledge about the population, making it the most straightforward among all probability

sampling methods. Furthermore, it is the most precise technique by the utilization of

randomization that ensures high internal and external validity. This factor should help

mitigate the potential for research biases, such as sampling bias and selection bias. This

sampling qualifies and fit the study as the researcher used social media flatform or
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Facebook to post on the Facebook group of Filipino VA’s or send the survey form to

Filipino Virtual Assistants in the Philippines.

Instrumentation

The study used a self-administered survey questionnaire as the instrument to collect

the data. Surveys can be used to collect data from many respondents. The survey

instrument can be designed to assess the Filipino virtual assistants’ demographics, key

skills and qualifications required, primary task and responsibilities performed, and possible

training and development programs to unlock virtual assistant jobs for Filipino in the

Philippines.

The survey questionnaire has a mix of types of questions. The researcher has open

ended questions to allow our respondents to provide their own answers and unrestricted

answers in their own words. The researcher encourages our respondents to express their

own thoughts, opinions, and insights on a particular question or topic. Also, the researcher

has closed-ended questions to answer the specific information that the researcher needs to

conduct and analyze for the study. The questionnaire has three (3) parts; first is to

determine the respondents’ demographic characteristics, second is to determine the critical

skills and qualifications required, and lastly the third is to determine the role of the virtual

assistants specifically about their primary task and responsibilities performed.

Furthermore, the research instruments went through a process of validation, which

involved sending a partial copy of each instrument to a group of validators. In light of this,

the researcher developed a justification based on the suggestions and remarks made by the

validator in order to guarantee the instrument's dependability and validity.

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Data Gathering Procedure

The study commences with instrument validation and review with the help of

adviser and validators. After ensuring the validity of the instrument, a formal letter

asking for the attention of Filipino virtual assistants in social media platform has been

post and delivered. Using online pages and social media platforms, the researchers

randomly communicate with the respondents and sent them a copy of developed google

form of the survey questionnaire. After disseminating the virtual copy of the survey, the

researcher meticulously monitored the number of responses. Upon completion of the

survey, the researcher downloaded the excel copy of the responses from the google form

and was subject to data analysis, which is used to develop the result and discussion of

the study.

Data Analysis

The study used descriptive data analysis to process the data collected.

Specifically, frequency and percentage were used to describe the demographics of

Filipino virtual assistants’ key skills and qualifications required, primary task and

responsibilities performed, and possible training and development programs to unlock

virtual assistant jobs for Filipino. According to Bhandari (2023), descriptive statistics are

utilized to analyze and arrange the attributes of a data set. A data set is a compilation of

responses or observations obtained from either a sample or the entire population. The

widespread use of descriptive analysis, one of the main forms of data analysis, is

primarily due to its ability to generate comprehensible insights from data that would

otherwise remain uninterpreted. In contrast to other types of data analysis, descriptive

analysis doesn't try to guess or predict what will happen in the future. Instead, it only

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uses historical data to draw conclusions, which it then changes in ways that make them

more important.

Furthermore, to clearly present and analyze the result, chart, graphs, and

frequency tables are utilized to visually depict the distributions of frequencies and

percentage. A frequency distribution can be used to represent the number of

observations that correspond to each possible value of a variable.

Ethical Considerations

The purpose of the research is to generate new knowledge and align it with the

current opportunities for career progression and income generation in the market. Ethics

allows researcher to cope up cooperative formulation with the help of advisers,

participants and other who have contribution or experience in the study. This ethical

consideration requires accountability, trust, respect, understanding, and fairness among all

the parties involved in a survey. The aim of this value is to preserve and protect the

intellectual property rights of all contributors, respect for the law to the public by

protecting the respondents, and ethical norms to create research roles such as gathering

information, finding the truth, and rejecting errors. In general, ethical considerations

include confidentiality, respect for intellectual property, and complying with regulations

and government policies, in accumulation to following specific methods for collecting and

sending data. The proponents did not force anyone to take the survey and ensured that all

the respondents’ personal information would be kept private and used only for the

academic purposes only. Furthermore, ethical approval is sought to guarantee that the

researcher conducted the study in a manner that is respectful of the participants who may

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be influenced by the research process.

In particular, the following ethical consideration shall be considered:

1. Research subjects should never be put in danger of any kind throughout the course of

the study.

2. The dignity of those who participate in research should be treated with the utmost

respect.

3. Prior to conducting the study, researcher must first gain the subjects informed consent.

4. There must be safeguards in place to protect the participants right to privacy during the

research.

5. It is necessary to ensure that the data from the study are kept in a sufficiently secret

manner.

6. It is essential that the confidentiality of all individuals and organizations involved in the

research be always protected.

7. It is imperative that any deception or embellishment of the purposes and objectives of

the research be avoided at all costs.

8. Any kind of communication that is relevant to research should be carried out in a

straightforward and honest manner.

9. Misleading information of any kind, as well as biased presentation of primary data

findings, must be avoided.

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 CHAPTER 3

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

This chapter presents the result and discussion of the study, which includes the

presentation, analysis, and interpretation of data. This presents the result of the study base

on the research questions. The chapter describe the demographic profile of Filipino virtual

assistants, skills and qualifications required, and primary task and responsibilities

performed.

I. The Demographic Profile of Filipino Virtual Assistants.

This part of the result and discussion presents the demographic profile of Filipino

virtual assistants as the respondent of the study in terms of age, sex, estimated earning per

hour, duration of work, employment status, average hours per day spend working, and

educational attainment.

Table 1
Demographic Profile of Filipino Virtual Assistants in terms of Age
Frequency Percentage
18 – 25 years old 18 36%
26 – 30 years old 20 40%
31 – 35 years old 10 20%
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 36 – 40 years old 1 2%
41 years old and above 1 2%
Total 50 100%

The table present the demographic profile of Filipino virtual assistants in terms of

age. As the table shown, 20 or 40% of the virtual assistant are age 26 to 30 years old, while

18 or 365 are 18 to 25 years old, 10 or 20% are 31 to 35 years old, only 1 or 2% is 36 to 40

years old, and 1 or 2% is 41 years old and above. The result of the study emphasized that

most of the Filipino virtual assistants are between age of 26 to 30 years old.

Virtual assistants are known to utilize technology in their role as support workers,

making it a common occupation for younger individuals in the workforce. that A lot of

people who are in their 40s and older are concerned that they won't be able to keep up with

the demands of working online. Some of them went so far as to ask us whether it was

possible to conceal their age on their profile. On the other hand, age is not nearly as

important of a consideration in the field of virtual assistant. If individuals want to work as a

virtual assistant, their age shouldn't be a consideration as long as the candidate is legal

working age in their country and possess the right skills (Marie, 2021).

Table 2
Demographic Profile of Filipino Virtual Assistants in terms of Sex
Frequency Percentage
Male 10 20%
Female 40 80%
Total 50 100%

The table present the demographic profile of Filipino virtual assistants in terms of

sex. As the table shown, 40 or 80% of the Filipino virtual assistants are female, while only

10 or 20% are male. The result of the study emphasized that most of the Filipino virtual

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assistants are female.

While gender may not be a dependable predictor of performance, numerous

businesses opt to hire female virtual assistants for various reasons. Based on the data

provided by Prialto, the global usage of virtual assistants is estimated to be around 30

million. Approximately 33% of these figures can be traced back to the Philippines, with

most of this percentage being females. Filipino women have demonstrated their

indispensability as virtual assistants, collaborating with individuals worldwide. Businesses

worldwide seek to collaborate with them due to their exceptional expertise, ability to

acclimate to diverse cultures, and proficient command of the English language (Ova

Virtual, 2023). Filipino women exhibit strong work ethic, demonstrate professionalism, and

are committed to delivering high-quality work. They seamlessly integrate into international

teams, effectively overcoming communication barriers and facilitating collaboration among

all members. They excel in virtual teamwork due to their ability to comprehend diverse

perspectives, provide valuable feedback, and effectively communicate.

Table 3
Demographic Profile of Filipino Virtual Assistants in terms of Estimated Earning Per
Hour
Frequency Percentage
Less than ₱250 9 18%
₱251 - ₱500 18 36%
₱501 - ₱750 9 18%
₱751 - ₱1,000 7 14%
More than ₱1,000 7 14%
Total 50 100%

The table present the demographic profile of Filipino virtual assistants in terms of

estimated earning per hour. As the table shown, 18 or 36% of Filipino virtual assistants has

₱251 to ₱500 estimated earning per hour, while 9 or 18% has less than ₱250, other 9 or

24
18% has ₱501 to ₱750 estimated earning per hour, 7 or 14% has ₱751 to ₱1,000 estimated

earning per hour, and other 7 or 14% has more than ₱1,000 estimated earning per hour. The

result of the study emphasized that most of the Filipino virtual assistants has ₱251 to ₱500

estimated earning per hour.

There is a substantial number of Filipinos employed as virtual assistants due to the

attractive compensation. According to Pagkatotohan (2023), the average monthly

compensation of being a virtual assistant in the Philippines ranges from approximately

₱25,000 to ₱40,000. However, it is feasible to generate a greater amount of income,

particularly if you possess extensive expertise or a substantial client base. For instance,

virtual assistants who possess greater expertise may command an hourly rate ranging from

$15 to $30, which is approximately around ₱850 to ₱1,700 depends on the exchange rate

ranges.

Table 4
Demographic Profile of Filipino Virtual Assistants in terms of months or years have
worked as a Virtual Assistant
Frequency Percentage
Less than 6 months 7 14%
6 months – 1 year 11 22%
2 – 3 years 25 50%
4 – 5 years 4 8%
More than 5 years 3 6%
Total 50 100%

The table present the demographic profile of Filipino virtual assistants in terms of

months or years have worked as a virtual assistant. As the table shown, 25 or 50% has been

working as virtual assistant for 2 to 3 years, while 11 or 22% is for about 6 months to 1

year, 7 or 14% is about less than 6 months, 4 or 8% is about 4 to 5 years, and only 3 or 6%

is for about more than 5 years. The result of the study emphasized that most of the Filipino
25
virtual assistants has been working for about 2 to 3 years.

Approximately 3 to 4 years ago, prior to the global outbreak of the COVID-19

pandemic, remote business and commerce trends were already firmly established.

Nevertheless, amidst the pandemic, there was a steady increase in the proportion of

employees who performed their duties remotely. Since the onset of the pandemic,

numerous virtual assistants have reported acquiring new clients or accumulating additional

hours with their current clients. Several virtual assistants began their careers 2 to 3 years

ago, which is a significant advantage of the pandemic (Lim, 2020).

Table 5
Demographic Profile of Filipino Virtual Assistants in terms of Employment Status

Frequency Percentage
Full time 35 70%
Part time 15 30%
Total 50 100%

The table present the demographic profile of Filipino virtual assistants in terms of

employment status. As the table shown, 35 or 70% of the Filipino virtual assistants are

working full-time, while 15 or 30% are working part-time. The result of the study

emphasized that most of the Filipino virtual assistants has been working full-time.

Due to the prevalence of freelance work among virtual assistants, approximately 88

percent of them receive compensation on an hourly basis. Nevertheless, this does not

necessarily indicate that they are not receiving a salary that is proportionate to the amount

of time they work. Like independent contractors, certain virtual assistants can earn a higher

income by opting for hourly payment, even if they work fewer overall hours. Presently, a

mere 59% of virtual assistants are employed on a full-time basis in their respective

positions. This highlights the necessity for numerous virtual assistants to obtain
26
supplementary expertise to attain a comprehensive skill set that would make them eligible

for full-time employment by potential employers (Kate, 2021).

Table 6
Demographic Profile of Filipino Virtual Assistants in Terms of Average Hours Per Day
Spend Working
Frequency Percentage
3 – 4 hours 15 30%
5 – 6 hours 5 10%
7 – 8 hours 26 52%
More than 8 hours 4 8%
Total 50 100%

The table present the demographic profile of Filipino virtual assistants in terms of

average hours per day spend working. As the table shown, 26 or 52% of the Filipino virtual

assistants spend about 7 to 78 hours per day working, while 15 or 30% spend 3 to 4 hours, 5

or 10% spend 5 to 6 hours, and 4 or 8% spend more than 8 hours working. The result of the

study emphasized that most of the Filipino virtual assistants spend about 7 to 8 hours

working per day.

The amount of time work as a virtual assistant is contingent upon the requirements

of your job and the needs of their clients. It is crucial to understand that most virtual

assistants operate on a part-time basis or as independent contractors. Put simply, they

typically manage a substantial number of clients and projects, and their working hours are

flexible rather than fixed, unlike in a typical employment setting. According to Pearl

(2023), virtual assistants typically work for a duration of 3 to 6 hours per day, although this

is contingent upon their workload and responsibilities. Virtual assistants may adjust their

working hours to accommodate their clients' requirements, with some opting for reduced

hours while others may extend their workdays. The autonomy to select the most suitable

27
hours for your work is one of the notable advantages of being a virtual assistant.

Table 7
Demographic Profile of Filipino Virtual Assistants in terms of Educational Attainment
Frequency Percentage
College Graduate 22 44%
Vocational 2 4%
Senior High Graduate 11 22%
Postgraduate 13 26%
High School Graduate 2 4%
Total 50 100%

The table present the demographic profile of Filipino virtual assistants in terms of

educational attainment. As the table shown, 22 or 44% of the Filipino virtual assistants are

college graduate, while 13 or 26% are postgraduate, 11 or 22% are senior high graduate, 2

or 4% are high school graduate, and 2 or 4% are vocational. The result of the study

emphasized that most of the Filipino virtual assistants are college graduate.

When faced with a multitude of business tasks, it becomes imperative to employ a

virtual assistant. However, locating a high-quality one can be challenging. It is advisable

to seek an individual who possesses expertise, reliability, and a positive financial rapport.

Fortunately, virtual assistants are globally accessible and capable of performing tasks

remotely. According to Galov (2023), approximately 60% of virtual assistants possess a

minimum level of college education. Although the significance of a college degree has

diminished, it still retains its utility. The fact that most VAs possess college degrees

contributes to creating a favorable impression. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that a

significant number of individuals possess a profound understanding of their field, despite

lacking a formal qualification.

II. The Critical Skills and Qualifications Required for Virtual Assistants in

28
 The Philippines to Unlock Job Creation Potential.

The table present the skills and qualifications required for virtual assistants in the

Philippines to unlock job creation potential. This includes the presentation of perceived

English language proficiency and computer literacy/proficiency among Filipino virtual

assistants, their prior job before being virtual assistant, and applications, programs and

software often used.

Table 8
English language proficiency of Filipino Virtual Assistants in scale 1-10.
Frequency Percentage
10 4 8%
9 6 12%
8 13 26%
7 10 20%
6 11 22%
5 6 12%
Total 50 100%

The table present the perceived English language proficiency among Filipino virtual

assistants. As the table shown, 13 or 26% of the Filipino virtual assistants rate their English

language proficiency as 8/10 score, while 11 or 22% rate themselves a 6/10, 10 or 20% rate

themselves a 7/10, 6 or 12% rate themselves a 9/10, 6 or 12% rate themselves a 5/10, and 4

or 8% rate themselves a 10/10 score. The result of the study emphasized that most of the

Filipino virtual assistants perceived themselves to have 8/10 score of English language

proficiency, which is considered fair or in a moderate level.

Companies that delegate virtual assistant services consider the proficiency of virtual

assistants in spoken and written English. The reason for this is the abundance of cultural
29
heritage in the country, coupled with the fact that English holds the status of being the

official language. In 1986, English was designated as one of the two official languages of

the Philippines. Most individuals in the present day possess the ability to communicate and

comprehend the English language. Furthermore, it finds application in educational

institutions, examinations, traffic signs, menus, cinemas, and various other settings. As a

result, the Philippines now has a significant number of proficient and articulate individuals

who are highly skilled in speaking English. This feature renders it an excellent location for

businesses to expand and delegate their virtual assistant requirements. Filipino virtual

assistant is known to have a proficient English language skill around the world (Virtual

Staff, 2023).

Table 9
Computer Literacy and Proficiency of Filipino Virtual Assistants in scale 1-10.
Frequency Percentage
10 7 14%
9 12 24%
8 12 24%
7 17 34%
6 2 4%
Total 50 100%

The table present the perceived computer literacy and proficiency among Filipino

virtual assistants. As the table shown, 17 or 34% of the Filipino virtual assistants rate their

computer literacy and proficiency as 7/10 score, while 12 or 24% rate themselves a 9/10, 12

or 24% rate themselves a 8/10, 7 or 14% rate themselves an 10/10, and 6 or 45 rate

themselves a 6/10 score. The result of the study emphasized that most of the Filipino virtual

assistants perceived themselves to have 7/10 score of computer literacy and proficiency,

which is considered fair or in a moderate level.

30
 The virtual assistant role is highly sought after by digital nomads and remote

workers due to its popularity and high demand. A virtual assistant, abbreviated as VA, is

an individual who provides online assistance to companies, entrepreneurs, or individuals.

The objective is to allocate additional time for customers by accomplishing the tasks they

either have no desire to perform or lack the ability to do on their own. Virtual assistants do

not necessarily require exceptional intelligence when it comes to resolving technical issues.

However, since the laptop will function as the main instrument for work, it is imperative for

them to possess a certain level of computer literacy. Most VAs has the average literacy with

regards to computer which enable them to perform their taks efficiently (Mai, 2023).

Table 10
Filipino Virtual Assistants Having Prior Experience Before Becoming a Virtual
Assistant
Frequency Percentage
No 27 54%
Yes 23 46%
Total 50 100%

The table present the agreement of the Filipino virtual assistants if they have prior

experience before becoming a virtual assistant. As the table shown, 27 or 54% of the

Filipino virtual assistants has no prior experience, while 23 or 46% has prior working

experience. The result of the study emphasized that most of the Filipino virtual assistants

has prior job experience before becoming a virtual assistant.

A virtual assistant is a professional who provides remote assistance to clients in

various areas such as administrative tasks, technical issues, or creative endeavors. A

virtual assistant possesses the capability to manage a diverse range of tasks, such as social

media marketing and email administration, with the purpose of offering remote assistance

to individuals and businesses. According to Miles (2023), prior experience as a virtual

31
assistant is not necessary, but certain skills are required for success in this role. These

skills encompass effective communication, self-organization, efficient time management,

proficiency in relevant technology and software, meticulous attention to detail, and the

ability to work autonomously.

Table 11
Job Prior To Becoming A Virtual Assistant
Frequency Percentage
Social media manager 4 8
Graphic designer 3 6
Call center agent 3 6
Back-office specialist 2 4
Data entry 2 4
Customer Support 2 4
Virtual Assistant 2 4
Accounting Assistant 1 2
Agriculturist 1 2
Content writer 1 2
Reconciliation Analyst 1 2
Training Department Lead 1 2

The table present the prior type of job experience of Filipino virtual assistants. As

the table shown, 4 or 8% has prior job experience as social media manager, while 3 or 6%

has prior job experience as graphic designer, 3 or 6% has prior job experience as call center

agent. Furthermore, 2 or 4% has prior job experience as back-office specialist, 2 or 4% has

prior job experience as data entry, 2 or 4% has prior job experience as customer support, 2

or 4% has prior job experience as virtual assistant, 1 or 2% has prior job experience as

32
accounting assistant, 1 or 2% has prior job experience as agriculturist, 1 or 2% has prior job

experience as content writer, 1 or 2% has prior job experience as reconciliation analyst, and

1 or 2% has prior job experience as training department lead. The result of the study

emphasized that most of the Filipino virtual assistants has prior job related to social media.

A virtual assistant is an individual who remotely assists a professional by managing

their personal affairs and performing basic tasks. They possess the ability to oversee and

coordinate social media accounts and schedules, among various other tasks, in order to

enhance the efficiency and convenience of a professional's life. For individuals aspiring to

become a virtual assistant but lacking guidance on how to begin, it can be beneficial to

explore entry-level positions and engage in extensive research on the profession. Prior

Applications, Programs and Software often use by

Virtual Assistants
60

50 48
44
40 36
31
30
24
21 21 21
20
11 12 10 12
10 6 5 5 8 10 7
2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0

Microsoft Office Google Workspace Slack Zoom Asana

Trello HubSpot Salesforce Mailchimp Adobe Creative Suite
WordPress Canva Dropbox Quickbooks Calendly
Skype Team Viewer Jira Freshdesk Photoshop
PremierPro Acuity, Social Media Obsidian Google Sketchup Timedoctor
Monday OS (CRM) Zendesk SPSS Custom System Tool
experience in roles such as social media management, data entry, or other online-related

positions can be advantageous for individuals aspiring to become virtual assistants (Indeed

Editorial Team, 2023).

Figure 1. Applications, Programs and Software Do You Often Use as a Virtual Assistant

33
 The figure presents the applications, programs and software often use by virtual

assistants. As the figure shown, 48 of the Filipino virtual assistants in the study used google

workspace, while 44 of them used Microsoft office, 36 of them used Canva, 31 of them

used Zoom, 24 of them used Adobe Creative Suite, 21 used Trello, 21 used Calendly, and

other 21 used Skype. Furthermore, about less than 15 Filipino virtual assistants in the study

used other applications, programs, and software such as slack, asana, HubSpot, Salesforce,

Mailchimp, WordPress, Dropbox, QuickBooks, Team viewer, Jira, Freshdesk, Photoshop,

Premier Pro, Acuity (social media), Obsidian, Google Sketchup, Time doctor, Monday OS

(CRM), Zendesk, SPSS, and Custom System Tool. The result of the study emphasized that

most of the Filipino virtual assistants often used applications, programs, and software such

as google workspace, Microsoft office, Canva, Zoom, Adobe Creative Suite, Trello,

Calendly, and Skype.

A proficient understanding of the diverse programs and tools utilized is

advantageous for individuals employed as virtual assistants. Examples of widely used

software and platforms include Trello and Asana for project management, Slack and Skype

for communication, and Toggl and Harvest for time-tracking. Having a proficient

understanding of productivity software, such as Google Suite or Microsoft Office, can also

be beneficial (Miles, 2023). Additionally, from Nevogt (2023), most entrepreneurs

eventually realize that they cannot complete all of their responsibilities within the limited

time available each day. Virtual assistants often utilize a diverse range of programs and

software to accomplish their tasks efficiently and promptly. This entails utilizing Canva for

editing various content, Microsoft Office for proficiently managing paperwork, and Google

Workspace for efficient communication.

34
III. The Roles of Filipino Virtual Assistant in the Philippines

This part of the result and discussion present the roles of Filipino virtual assistants

in terms of primary task and responsibilities performed. Specifically, it includes specific

task they handled, primary skills required, and challenges encountered.

Table 12
Specific Task and Responsibilities Performed by Filipino Virtual Assistant
Frequency Percentage
Administrative and back office 9 18%
Bookkeeping 4 8%
Campaigns 1 2%
Content creation 2 4%
Data Entry Tasks 6 12%
Designing websites 2 4%
Graphic designing 8 16%
Research/proposal writing, academic writing, 2 4%
technical writing
Social Media Management/Manager 12 24%
Travel/ Appointment management 2 4%
Video editing 1 25
Virtual coaching 1 2%
Total 50 100%

The table present the specific task handled by Filipino virtual assistant. As the table

shown, 12 or 24% of the Filipino assistant handled task as social media

management/manager, while 9 or 18% handled task for administrative and back-office, 8 or

16% handled specific task as graphic designer, 6 or 12% handled data entry task, 4 or 8%

handled task for bookkeeping, 2 or 4% handled content creation, 2 or 4% handled designing

websites, 2 or 4% handled research/proposal writing/ academic writing/ technical writing, 2

or 4% handled travel/ appointment management, 1 or 2% handled video editing, and 1 or

35
2% handled virtual coaching. The result of the study emphasized that most of the Filipino

virtual assistants handled specific task related to being social media management/manager

and administrative and back-office.

A virtual assistant is an administrative service provider who offers remote support

to clients, without being physically present in their office. A virtual assistant typically

operates from a home office, but can remotely access essential planning documents, such as

shared calendars. The specific tasks that a virtual assistant is responsible for performing

Primary Skills
12
10 10 10
10 9
8

6 5
4 4 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3
2

0
Time Management Communication Skills
Willingness to Learn/ Patience Research Skills
Computer Skill/Literacy English Language Literacy
Critical Thinking/Good Decision Making Knowing Specialization/ Niche
Administrative Skills Social Media Knowledge
Software/ Application Knowledge Editing
Microsoft word (Excel, etc.) Creative

are determined by the requirements of the client and the parameters of the contract. Some

virtual assistants may be responsible for performing clerical tasks and bookkeeping, while

others may be responsible for regularly posting on social media or contributing to a blog.

A versatile virtual assistant may also have the tasks of arranging travel, coordinating

appointments, inputting data, and managing online file storage (Kenton, 2023).

Figure 2. Primary Skills Required to Be a Successful Virtual Assistant

36
 The figure presents the primary skills need by a virtual assistant as perceived by the

respondents. As the figure shown, 10 of the Filipino virtual assistants indicate

communication skills as a primary skill need, while also 10 indicate research skill, 10

indicate computer skill/literacy. Furthermore, 9 of them indicate willingness to learn and

patience is a primary skill need, 5 indicate the software/application knowledge, 4 indicate

the English language proficiency, 4 indicate critical thinking/ good decision making, 4

indicate social media knowledge, 3 agreed for time management, 3 agreed for knowing

specialization/niche, 3 agreed for administrative skills, 3 agreed for editing, 3 agreed for

Microsoft skills, and 3 agreed for being creative. The result of the study emphasized that

most of the Filipino virtual assistants indicates that communication skills, research skill,

and computer skill/literacy are the most primary skills required to be a successful virtual

assistant.

An increasing number of individuals are expressing interest in pursuing digitally

oriented occupations, such as that of a virtual assistant, due to the inherent flexibility of

working remotely. Virtual assistants are esteemed assets in the labor force due to their

capacity to aid business owners, executives, and other professionals in efficiently

accomplishing a range of demanding tasks. Possessing the skills of a virtual assistant

enables individuals to showcase a superior level of digital expertise, thereby enhancing

their prospects of securing employment in remote work settings. Virtual assistants are

employed in diverse industries and possess a broad set of adaptable skills that are highly

sought after by employers in the current digital era. A substantial proportion of virtual

assistants subsequently embark on careers in marketing and sales within thriving

enterprises. The most crucial qualifications for a virtual assistant include effective

communication, efficient time management, reliability, self-driven attitude, innovative

37
thinking, proficiency in at least one language, and basic computer skills (Indeed Editorial

Team, 2022).

Challenges Encounter
20
18
18

16

14

12 11
10
10

6 5
4 3
Conflict Schedule No/Slow Internet 2
Time Difference Language/ Communication Barriers
2 1 1
0 Tech/ Device Issues Task Beyond Niche Low Confidence Learning New Software

Figure 3. Challenges Encounter by Filipino Virtual Assistant

The figure presents the challenges encounter by a Filipino virtual assistant. As the

figure shown, 18 of the Filipino virtual assistants encounter the challenge of having no/slow

internet, while 11 encounter challenges because of work time difference, 10 experience the

language/communication barriers, 5 encountered technical or devise issues, 3 encountered

conflicts in their schedule, 2 encountered lo confidence, 1 encountered facing task beyond

his/her niche, and 1 encountered challenge to learning new software. The result of the study

emphasized that most of the Filipino virtual assistants indicates that they encountered

challenges frequent from having no/slow internet, time difference, and

language/communication barrier.

Assistance is needed to meet the growing demands of businesses. Due to the

pandemic's uncertain nature, they seek individuals who are proactive and dedicated to

38
achieving outcomes. As a result, virtual assistants face a more significant challenge as

they are tasked with managing the company's objectives and fulfilling various roles in its

daily operations. Virtual assistants encounter various challenges and employ specific

strategies to overcome them. These encompass issues related to connectivity, challenges in

communication, language barriers, excessively repetitive routines, time zone disparities,

and elevated levels of stress (RippleVAs, 2021).

IV. Test of Significant Relationship Between Critical Skills, Roles, and Qualification

in Hiring Filipino Virtual Assistant

Table 13

Relationship of Critical Skills, Roles, and Qualifications in Hiring Filipino Virtual

Assistants
Correlation p-value Decision Relationship
Coefficient
Critical Skills .851 .000 Reject Ho Significant
Roles .860 .000 Reject Ho Significant
Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (p-value)

The table present the test of relationship between critical skills, roles, and

qualification in hiring Filipino virtual assistant. As the table shown, there is significant

relationship with critical skills, roles, and qualification in hiring Filipino virtual assistant,

which reject the Ho of the study. Specifically, critical skills have significant relationship

in the qualification to be hired as virtual assistance with correlation coefficient of .851 and

p-value of .000, while roles have significant relationship in the qualification to be hired as

virtual assistance with correlation coefficient of .860 and p-value of .000. The findings of

the study highlighted the importance of possessing essential skills such as the ability to

communicate in English, the ability to use computers, and the knowledge of various

applications and software. These skills are a valuable asset that have the potential to

39
release opportunities for virtual assistance work. Additionally, roles can have a significant

impact on the likelihood of being able to unlock work in the field of virtual assistance. In

general, the critical skills and roles have a strong connection with the qualifications

needed to hire virtual assistants, which opens up the possibility of creating jobs.

Being a virtual assistant allows them to work closely with clients from diverse

industries and global locations, presenting them with an exceptional chance for

collaboration. However, there are various skills and roles that are prerequisites for

achieving a prosperous profession as a virtual assistant. Prior to being hired as a virtual

assistant, an individual must possess a diverse range of skills. It will encompass a

comprehensive range of topics, including communication, organization, technical skills,

and more, to provide all the necessary tools for success in this captivating industry. When

hiring virtual assistants (VAs), careful consideration is given to crucial skills, effective

roles, and a diverse range of qualifications (VirtualStaff, 2023).

40
 CHAPTER 4

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary of the Study

The study, titled "Unlocking Job Creation Potential: Exploring the Role of Virtual

Assistants in The Philippines," seeks to determine the factors that impact the ability of

virtual assistants in the Philippines to generate employment opportunities. The study seeks

to comprehend the potential and obstacles linked to virtual assistantship as a form of

employment and its influence on job generation within the nation.

The study us quantitative research design to determine the Filipino virtual

assistant, demographic, critical skills and qualification required, roles, and relationship of

critical skills, roles, and qualification in hiring VAs. A self-made instrument was used by

the researcher to collect the data, while a total of 50 Filipino virtual assistant was the

respondents of the study. The data was analyzed using statistical treatments of data to

develop the result and discussion of the study.

Summary of Result

Based on the research questions, the following are the findings of the study.

1. The demographic profile of the Filipino virtual assistant, in terms of age, 20 or

40% of the virtual assistant are age 26 to 30 years old, while 18 or 365 are 18 to 25

years old, 10 or 20% are 31 to 35 years old, only 1 or 2% is 36 to 40 years old, and

1 or 2% is 41 years old and above. In terms of sex, 40 or 80% of the Filipino

virtual assistants are female, while only 10 or 20% are male. In terms of estimated
41
 earning per hour, 18 or 36% of Filipino virtual assistants has ₱251 to ₱500

estimated earning per hour, while 9 or 18% has less than ₱250, other 9 or 18% has

₱501 to ₱750 estimated earning per hour, 7 or 14% has ₱751 to ₱1,000 estimated

earning per hour, and other 7 or 14% has more than ₱1,000 estimated earning per

hour. In terms of duration work as virtual assistant, 25 or 50% has been working as

virtual assistant for 2 to 3 years, while 11 or 22% is for about 6 months to 1 year, 7

or 14% is about less than 6 months, 4 or 8% is about 4 to 5 years, and only 3 or

6% is for about more than 5 years. In terms of employment status, 35 or 70% of

the Filipino virtual assistants are working full-time, while 15 or 30% are working

part-time. Interns of average hour per day working, 26 or 52% of the Filipino

virtual assistants spend about 7 to 78 hours per day working, while 15 or 30%

spend 3 to 4 hours, 5 or 10% spend 5 to 6 hours, and 4 or 8% spend more than 8

hours working. Lastly, in terms of educational attainment, 22 or 44% of the

Filipino virtual assistants are college graduate, while 13 or 26% are postgraduate,

11 or 22% are senior high graduate, 2 or 4% are high school graduate, and 2 or 4%

are vocational.

2. The skills and qualifications required for virtual assistants in the Philippines to

unlock job creation potential, in terms of scaling English language proficiency, 13

or 26% of the Filipino virtual assistants rate their English language proficiency as

8/10 score, while 11 or 22% rate themselves a 6/10, 10 or 20% rate themselves a

7/10, 6 or 12% rate themselves a 9/10, 6 or 12% rate themselves a 5/10, and 4 or

8% rate themselves a 10/10 score. In terms of computer literacy, 17 or 34% of the

Filipino virtual assistants rate their computer literacy and proficiency as 7/10

score, while 17 or 34% rate themselves a 7/10, 12 or 24% rate themselves a 9/10,

42
 12 or 24% rate themselves an 8/10, and 7 or 145 rate themselves a 10/10 score.

While in prior experience, 27 or 54% of the Filipino virtual assistants has no prior

experience, while 23 or 46% has prior working experience. In terms of prior job, 4

or 8% has prior job experience as social media manager, while 3 or 6% has prior

job experience as graphic designer, 3 or 6% has prior job experience as call center

agent. Furthermore, 2 or 4% has prior job experience as back-office specialist, 2 or

4% has prior job experience as data entry, 2 or 4% has prior job experience as

customer support, 2 or 4% has prior job experience as virtual assistant, 1 or 2%

has prior job experience as accounting assistant, 1 or 2% has prior job experience

as agriculturist, 1 or 2% has prior job experience as content writer, 1 or 2% has

prior job experience as reconciliation analyst, and 1 or 2% has prior job experience

as training department lead. Lastly, in terms of application, programs and software

often use, 48 of the Filipino virtual assistants in the study used google workspace,

while 44 of them used Microsoft office, 36 of them used Canva, 31 of them used

Zoom, 24 of them used Adobe Creative Suite, 21 used Trello, 21 used Calendly,

and other 21 used Skype. Furthermore, about less than 15 Filipino virtual

assistants in the study used other applications, programs, and software such as

slack, asana, HubSpot, Salesforce, Mailchimp, WordPress, Dropbox, QuickBooks,

Team viewer, Jira, Freshdesk, Photoshop, Premier Pro, Acuity (social media),

Obsidian, Google Sketchup, Time doctor, Monday OS (CRM), Zendesk, SPSS,

and Custom System Tool.

3. The primary task and responsibilities performed by virtual assistant workers in the

Philippines, in terms of specific task handled, 12 or 24% of the Filipino assistant

handled task as social media management/manager, while 9 or 18% handled task

for administrative and back-office, 8 or 16% handled specific task as graphic

43
 designer, 6 or 12% handled data entry task, 4 or 8% handled task for bookkeeping,

2 or 4% handled content creation, 2 or 4% handled designing websites, 2 or 4%

handled research/proposal writing/ academic writing/ technical writing, 2 or 4%

handled travel/ appointment management, 1 or 2% handled video editing, and 1 or

2% handled virtual coaching. In terms of primary skill need, 10 of the Filipino

virtual assistants indicate communication skills as a primary skill need, while also

10 indicate research skill, 10 indicate computer skill/literacy. Furthermore, 9 of

them indicate willingness to learn and patience is a primary skill need, 5 indicate

the software/application knowledge, 4 indicate the English language proficiency, 4

indicate critical thinking/ good decision making, 4 indicate social media

knowledge, 3 agreed for time management, 3 agreed for knowing

specialization/niche, 3 agreed for administrative skills, 3 agreed for editing, 3

agreed for Microsoft skills, and 3 agreed for being creative. In challenges

encountered, 18 of the Filipino virtual assistants encounter the challenge of having

no/slow internet, while 11 encounter challenges because of work time difference,

10 experience the language/ communication barriers, 5 encountered technical or

devise issues, 3 encountered conflicts in their schedule, 2 encountered lo

confidence, 1 encountered facing task beyond his/her niche, and 1 encountered

challenge to learning new software. lastly, when ask if critical skills, roles, and

qualifications is important in hiring Filipino virtual assistants? 46 or 92% of

Filipino virtual assistant responded “yes”, while 3 or 6% said “no”, and 1 or 2%

said “not sure”.

4. The study revealed that critical skills have significant relationship in the

qualification to be hired as virtual assistance with correlation coefficient of .851

and p-value of .000, while roles have significant relationship in the qualification to

44
 be hired as virtual assistance with correlation coefficient of .860 and p-value

of .000. The null hypothesis of the study is rejected.

Limitation of the Study

While this study makes use of a robust quantitative-descriptive methodology to

identify the factors that influence the job creation potential of virtual assistants in the

Philippines, it is important to note that these findings should be interpreted with caution.

The purpose of the study is to gain a better understanding of the opportunities and

challenges presented by working as a virtual assistant as a means of employment, as well as

the impact that this has on the creation of jobs in the country. The following is a list of the

limitations that were placed on the research.

Methodological exploration of non-observable realities and the reliance on

interpretive understanding both have the potential to introduce subjectivity into the research

process. This is because the researcher's own personal biases may have an impact on how

the data is interpreted. In addition, the nature of the study was quantitative, which, while

providing a wealth of insights, may restrict the generalizability of the findings.

The need for cooperation from participants and the availability of relevant

documentation both stand as potential roadblocks, which brings us to a second potential

limitation: the inability to access data and resources. The unwillingness of other potential

participants results for a limited respondents as the source of data needed in the study.

The research might be affected by time constraints, due to the limited time of the

researcher to conduct the study. The research has timeline to follow such as deadlines and

45
cutoff dates for passing the manuscript. Therefore, the study may have been affected by the

time limitation of research conduction.

Despite these potential limitations, the study makes an effort to mitigate these

challenges by adhering to stringent methodological procedures, taking ethical

considerations, and reporting the findings in a transparent manner. This helps to improve

the validity and reliability of the research results.

Conclusion

The following are the conclusion drawn based on the result of the study.

1. Most of the Filipino virtual assistant are 26 to 30 years old, female, has 251 to 500

estimated earnings per hour, and been working as VAs for 2 to 3 years now.

Additionally, most Filipino virtual assistant is working full-time, for about 7 to 8

hours per day, and a college graduate.

2. Most Filipino virtual assistant had fair or moderate English language proficiency

and computer literacy, while more than half of them has no prior experience of

being virtual assistant, additionally, most of the Filipino virtual assistants has prior

job related to social media. Filipino virtual assistants often used applications,

programs, and software such as google workspace, Microsoft office, Canva,

Zoom, Adobe Creative Suite, Trello, Calendly, and Skype.

3. Most of the Filipino virtual assistants handled specific task related to being social

media management/manager and administrative and back-office. While the

perceived primary skills need by a virtual assistant is communication skills,

research skill, and computer skill/literacy. The challenges they encountered are

having no/slow internet, time difference, and language/communication barrier.

Lastly, Filipino virtual assistant perceived those critical skills, roles, and
46
 qualifications has significant relationship in hiring virtual assistants, unlocking job

creation potential.

4. Critical skills and roles significantly impact the qualifications required for hiring a

Filipino virtual assistant. Having crucial skills such as proficiency in English

communication, computer literacy, and familiarity with diverse applications and

software is a valuable asset for individuals aspiring to become virtual assistants.

Typically, the critical skills and roles are closely linked to the requirements for

hiring virtual assistants, thereby creating job opportunities.

Recommendation

The following are the recommendation drawn based on the result and conclusion of

the study.

Business/Organizations. This study recommends all business to hire a virtual assistant to

cope up with the new era of market which required a fast and efficient service quality.

Having a virtual assistant may mitigate the potential risk of many businesses to delay

various transactions. Additionally, providing trainings and seminars to their employees will

be a valuable asset for VAs to perform better on their perceived roles and responsibilities.

Filipino Virtual Assistant. Virtual assistant is encouraged to participate and attend

trainings and seminars to develop their English language and computer literacy to

efficiently serves their clients. Trainings and seminars that are focus to the operational

discourse of being virtual assistant such as computer and language proficiency is a huge

advantage to ensure individuals’ level of personal development and future career innovation.

Aspiring Virtual Assistant. Prospective virtual assistants are advised to cultivate essential

skills such as effective communication and proficiency in computer usage, as these have

been identified as fundamental requirements for the role. Moreover, possessing sufficient

47
understanding of the roles of virtual assistants can increase the likelihood of being

employed. Aspiring virtual assistants should focus on enhancing their critical thinking

abilities and acquiring a deep understanding of the expected roles of virtual assistants to

increase their chances of securing virtual assistant positions.

Philippine Economic Industry. The Philippines economic industry is encouraged to

accept the potential of job opportunities that online work created. They should acknowledge

the potential of virtual assistant career for many Filipinos. Providing trainings and seminars

that enhance the required skills for VA profession will be a huge advantage for the

economy and employment.

Learning and Development Professionals. L&D professionals, trainers, and training

consultants are encouraged to fill the gap of performance for VAs and aspiring VAs, by

focusing in specific areas of learning and development that require attention such as

computer and language proficiency.

Future researchers. The future researcher is encouraged to used qualitative approach on

exploring the potential of virtual assistant in job creation in the country. having an in-dept

understanding on Filipino VAs experience, benefits, and challenges may further unlock

economic opportunities in the new era of market. Additionally, future researcher may use

Training Needs Analysis (TNA) as it was an essential tool to efficiently identify the

specific areas of learning and development that require attention to address performance

gaps that hinder the achievement of virtual careers’ objectives.

48
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53
APPENDICES

54
 APPENDIX A
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH PROJECT

Subject: Invitation to Participate in a Research Project

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to invite you
to participate in an exciting research project titled "Unlocking Job Creation Potential:
Exploring the Role of Virtual Assistants in the Philippines." This study aims to investigate
the impact of virtual assistants on job creation and their role in the context of the
Philippines.

Your expertise and insights as virtual assistant would be invaluable to our research.
We believe that your perspective will contribute significantly to our understanding of the
subject matter. Your participation will involve as completing a survey.

The objectives of this research project are as follows:

Examine the contribution of virtual assistants to job creation in the Philippines. ∙

Identify the factors influencing the job creation potential of virtual assistants. ∙ Explore the
challenges and opportunities associated with virtual assistantship as a means of
employment.

Your involvement will require approximately 30 minutes. Your responses will be

treated with the utmost confidentiality and will only be used for research purposes. Rest
assured that all data collected will be anonymized and reported in aggregate form to ensure
your privacy.

Your participation in this study will not only contribute to the advancement of
knowledge in this field but also provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry
professionals, and individuals interested in the role of virtual assistants in job creation.

If you choose to participate, please let us know by email. Upon confirmation, we

will provide you with further details regarding the research project, including the specific
tasks and any necessary materials.

Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do not
hesitate to contact me via email. We would be more than happy to address any concerns
you may have.

Thank you for considering this invitation to contribute to our research project. We greatly
appreciate your time and expertise. Your participation will be invaluable to the success of
this study.

We look forward to your positive response.

55
Sincerely,
Sette Sofia Magongcar
Yori G. Alaran

APPENDIX B

UNLOCKING JOB CREATION POTENTIAL: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF

VIRTUA ASSISTANTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

I. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF FILIPINO VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS

1. What is your age?

o 18-25 years old
o 26-30 years old
o 31-35 years old
o 36-40 years old
o 41 years old and above

2. What is your sex?

o Male
o Female

3. What is your estimated earning per hour as virtual assistant? (in Peso)
a. Less than 250
b. P251- P500
c. P501-P750
d. P751-P1,000
e. More than P1,000
4. How many months or years have you worked as a Virtual Assistant?
o less than 6 month
o 6 months – 1 year
o 2 – 3 years
o 4 – 5 years
o more than 5 years

5. Do you work as a part-time or full-time Virtual Assistant?

o Part-time
o Full-time

6. On average, how many hours per day do you spend working as a Virtual Assistant?

56
 o less than 2 hours
o 3 – 4 hours
o 5 – 6 hours
o 7 – 8 hours
o more than 8 hours
7. What is your highest level of education?

o Elementary graduate
o Highschool graduate
o Vocational
o Senior High graduate
o College graduate course/degree (please specify) _______________
o Post-graduate

II. CRITICAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR VIRTUAL

ASSISTANTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

1. On a scale of 1-10, can you rate your English language proficiency?

o 10
o9
o8
o7
o6
o5
o4
o3
o2
o1

2. On scale of 1-10, can you rate your computer literacy and proficiency?
o 10
o9
o8
o7
o6
o5
o4
o3
o2
o1
3. Do you have any prior experience before you become a Virtual Assistant?
a. Yes
b. No

4. If yes, what is your job prior to becoming a Virtual Assistant?

__________________________________

57
 5. What are the examples or list of applications, programs, and software do you often

use as a Virtual Assistant?

III. ROLES OF FILIPINO VIRTUAL ASSISTANT IN THE PHILIPPINES

1. What is the specific task you handle as a Virtual Assistant?

2. In your opinion, what are the primary skills required to be a successful Virtual

Assistant?

3. In your own opinion, what are the challenges do you encounter in performing your

task as Virtual Assistant?

58
 APPENDIX C
CONTENT VALIDITY ASSESSMENT

SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE TO FILIPINO VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS

SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

Instructions: Please rate each item according to the degree of its relevance on the construct being
assessed.

Scale:
1 – Rejected 2 – Appropriate but needs improvement 3 – Accepted and appropriate

I - Demographic Profile
Items 1 2 3 Comments/Suggestions
1. What is your age? √ You can create a checklist
for this item.
“Age
 18 – 25 years old
 26 – 30 years old
 31 – 35 years old
 36 – 40 years old
 41 years old and above”
2. What is your sex? √ “Sex
o Male
 Male
o Female
 Female
3. What is your estimated earning per hour as virtual √ The noun phrase virtual
assistant? (in Peso) assistant seems to be
a. Less than 250 Pesos missing a determiner
b. 250 to less than 500 Pesos
before it. Consider adding
c. 500 to less than 750 Pesos
d. 750 to less than 1000 Pesos an acronym.
e. More than 1000 Pesos
“What is your estimated
earning per hour as a
virtual assistant? (in
59
 Peso) “
 less than ₱250
 ₱251 - ₱500
 ₱501 - ₱750
 ₱751 - ₱1,000
 more than ₱1,000
4. How many months or years you work as a VA? √  This sentence seems to
be missing a word or
two.
 It appears that the verb
work should be in the
past participle form.
 For clarity, you should
always spell out
VIRTUAL
ASSISTANT instead
of using the acronym.
 Consider changing it.

“How many months or

years have you worked
as a Virtual Assistant?
 less than 6 months
 6 months - 1 year
 2 – 3 years
 4 – 5 years
 more than 5 years
5. Are you work as a part-time or full-time VA? √  There may be a verb
a. Yes issue here.
b. No  For clarity, you should
always spell out
VIRTUAL
ASSISTANT instead
of using the acronym.
 Consider changing it.

Do you work as a part-

time or full-time Virtual
Assistant?
 Yes
 No
6. In the average how many hours per day do you spend √  Change the
working as VA? preposition
a. Less than 2 Hours  Article usage problem
b. 2 Hours to less than 4 Hours
60
 c. 4 Hours to less than 6 Hours  Consider adding a
d. 6 Hours to than 8 Hours comma
e. More than 8 Hours  Incorrect article usage
 For clarity, you should
always spell out
VIRTUAL
ASSISTANT instead
of using the acronym.
 Consider changing it.

“On average, how many

hours per day do you
spend working as a
Virtual Assistant?
 less than 2 hours
 3 – 4 hours
 5 – 6 hours
 7 – 8 hours
 more than 8 hours
7. What is your highest level of education? √ What is your highest level
a. Elementary of education?
b. Highschool  Elementary graduate
c. Vocational
 High School graduate
d. College: Course (please specify)
____________________________  Vocational
e. Masteral  Senior High graduate
f. Doctorate  College Graduate
Course/Degree (please
specify) _____________
 Post-Graduate

DOMAIN: SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Items 1 2 3 Comments/Suggestions
1. In scale of 1-10, can you rate your English language √  It seems that
proficiency? ______ preposition use may
be incorrect here
 The noun phrase
scale seems to be
missing a determiner
before it. Consider
adding an article.

“On a scale of 1-10, can

you rate your English
61
 language proficiency?
______”
2. In scale of 1-10, can you rate your Computer literacy √  It seems that
and proficiency? ______ preposition use may
be incorrect here
 The noun phrase
scale seems to be
missing a determiner
before it. Consider
adding an article.

“On a scale of 1-10, can

you rate your
Computer literacy and
proficiency? _______”
3. Do you have any prior experience before you √  For clarity, you
become a VA? should always spell
out VIRTUAL
a. Yes
ASSISTANT instead
b. No of using the
acronym.

“Do you have any prior

experience before you
become a Virtual
Assistant?”
4. If yes, what is your job prior to become a VA √  It appears that your
sentence or clause
uses an incorrect
form of the verb is.
 It appears that your
sentence or clause
uses an incorrect
form of the verb
become.
 For clarity, you
should always spell
out VIRTUAL
ASSISTANT instead
of using the
acronym.
 Consider changing it.

“If yes, what was your

62
 job prior to becoming a
Virtual Assistant?”
5. What are the example or list of applications, √  It seems that
programs and software do you often use as a VA? example may not
agree in number with
other words in the
phrase
 Your sentence
contains a series of
three or more words,
phrases, or clauses.
Consider inserting a
comma to separate
the elements.
 The verb do appears
to be unnecessary
here
 For clarity, you
should always spell
out VIRTUAL
ASSISTANT instead
of using the
acronym.

“What are the

examples or list of
applications, programs,
and software you often
use as a Virtual
Assistant?

DOMAIN: ROLES

Items 1 2 3 Comments/Suggestions
What are the specific task you handle as VA? √  It seems that task
may not agree in
number with other
words in this phrase
 It seems that there is
an article usage
problem here
 For clarity, you
should always spell
63
 out VIRTUAL
ASSISTANT instead
of using the
acronym.

“What are the specific

tasks you handle as a
Virtual Assistant?”
1. Can you provide example tasks when you start √  For clarity, you
working as a VA? should always spell
out VIRTUAL
ASSISTANT instead
of using the
acronym.

“Can you provide

example tasks when
you start working as a
Virtual Assistant?”
2. What tasks and responsibilities are you comfortable √  For clarity, you
handling as a VA? should always spell
out VIRTUAL
ASSISTANT instead
of using the
acronym.

“What tasks and

responsibilities are you
comfortable handling
as a Virtual Assistant?”
3. In your opinion, what are the main skills required to √  The word main is
be a successful VA? often overused.
Consider using a
more specific
synonym to improve
the sharpness of your
writing.
 For clarity, you
should always spell
out VIRTUAL
ASSISTANT instead
of using the
64
 acronym.

“In your opinion, what

are the primary skills
required to be a
successful Virtual
Assistant?”
4. In your own opinion, what are the challenges do you √  Rephrase your
encounter in performing your task as VA? sentence
 For clarity, you
should always spell
out VIRTUAL
ASSISTANT instead
of using the
acronym.

“In your opinion, what

challenges do you
encounter in
performing your
task as Virtual
Assistant?”
5. Is there a significant relationship of key skills, roles  Rephrase your
and qualification in hiring Filipino Virtual Assistant? sentence

“Is there a significant

relationship between
critical skills, roles, and
qualifications in hiring
Filipino Virtual
Assistants?”

Validator’s Name and Signature:

Jan Zahringen P. Dagani, RPm

65
66