Updated: March 11, 2026 · Spring is active for VA hiring — small businesses are ramping up Q2 and need support
Virtual assistant work is one of the most genuinely flexible remote income paths in 2026. You can start part-time with one client, build to multiple clients over time, and eventually work completely on your own schedule — from anywhere.
The flip side: it's not as simple as just "signing up for a platform." The VAs who get hired in their first few weeks do a few specific things right. This post covers where to find VA work and what you actually need to do to land your first role this month.
Note on experience:
VA clients care more about reliability and communication than formal experience. You don't need VA certifications or prior VA jobs on your resume — but you do need to clearly explain what tasks you can handle and show that you're responsive and organized.
What Skills Do VA Clients Look For in 2026?
Before the list of where to find work, here's what actually gets beginners hired:
- Inbox and calendar management — The most common request from business owners. If you're organized and good with email, this is your starting point.
- Basic research — Compiling information, comparing options, finding contacts. Anyone comfortable on the internet can do this.
- Scheduling and booking — Travel, meetings, appointments. Clear process, easy to learn.
- Data entry and spreadsheets — Google Sheets or Excel, entering and organizing information accurately.
- Social media posting (not strategy) — Scheduling pre-written content, basic engagement monitoring. Different from being a social media manager.
- Customer follow-up emails — Template-based responses, following up with leads or clients on behalf of the business owner.
If you can handle even 3–4 of these reliably, you're marketable as an entry-level VA today. You don't need all of them — most starting clients just need help with a few specific things.
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12 Places to Find VA Work in March 2026
1. HireMyMom — Best for Beginners (Part-Time & Full-Time)
Pay: $15–$40/hr | Type: Direct hire (W-2 or contractor) | Experience: Varies by client
What it is: HireMyMom connects remote workers with small business owners who specifically want to hire parents and flexible workers. VA roles are posted every week — general admin, inbox management, customer follow-ups, bookkeeping, and social media support.
Why it's great for beginners: Small business clients on HireMyMom are typically less demanding than corporate employers and more willing to train the right person. You can negotiate part-time hours to start.
March note: Spring is Q2 setup for most small businesses. Many owners are actively looking for VA support to handle the increase in client volume.
Cost: Annual membership required ($35–$299). Worth it — a single placement at $20/hr pays for the membership in under two days.
Browse HireMyMom VA listings → (affiliate link — we earn a small commission, no cost to you)
2. BELAY — Premium Executive VA ($25–$35/hr)
Pay: $25–$35/hr | Type: Contractor | Experience: 5+ years admin or EA experience required
What it is: BELAY is one of the most respected premium VA agencies in the US. They match contractors with C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders for high-level executive assistant work.
Who should apply: Not entry-level. BELAY is the goal to work toward — after 3–5 years of strong VA experience. The pay is significantly above market and the clients are vetted.
Application: Apply on BELAY's website directly. They have a selective screening process.
3. Boldly — Premium Part-Time VA ($25/hr)
Pay: $25/hr | Type: W-2 employee | Experience: 7+ years professional admin experience
What it is: Boldly places experienced VAs with clients on a subscription basis. Unlike most VA agencies, Boldly hires VAs as W-2 employees — not contractors — which means benefits, paid time off, and job stability.
Who should apply: Experienced admins and executive assistants transitioning to remote work. If you have 7+ years in an office admin role and want to work from home, Boldly is worth targeting.
4. Time Etc — US-Based VA Service
Pay: $11–$16/hr | Type: Contractor | Experience: 3+ years professional admin experience
What it is: Time Etc matches US-based VAs with clients for admin, research, writing support, and social media tasks. They have a straightforward application and onboarding process.
Good for: People with some professional admin background who want consistent client work from an established platform. Not entry-level, but the bar is lower than BELAY or Boldly.
5. Fancy Hands — Microtask VA (Flexible, Good for Beginners)
Pay: $3–$7 per task (roughly $7–$15/hr effective) | Type: Contractor | Experience: None required
What it is: Fancy Hands posts short microtasks — making calls, setting appointments, researching options, booking reservations. You complete tasks when you have time. No minimum hours or client commitments.
Good for beginners: The pay-per-task model means you can start immediately with zero experience. Tasks are small and self-contained. Good way to get your first "VA work" on your history while you look for better-paying opportunities.
Trade-off: Low earning ceiling. Best treated as a stepping stone, not a primary income source.
VA Clients Check Your Resume Too
Even VA platforms and small business clients screen for professional presentation. Our ATS-optimized resume templates include a VA-specific version with pre-written bullet points for admin and virtual support roles.
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6. Prialto — Executive VA (Benefits Included)
Pay: Competitive ($20–$25/hr range) | Type: W-2 employee | Experience: 3+ years admin
What it is: Prialto is a managed VA service that hires dedicated VAs as full employees with benefits, training programs, and career development paths. They serve senior executives at enterprise companies.
Good for: Admins and assistants who want W-2 stability with remote flexibility. Less startup-y than other platforms, more structured.
7. Upwork — Freelance VA (Global, Set Your Own Rate)
Pay: $10–$50/hr (you set it) | Type: Freelance | Experience: None required to create a profile
What it is: Upwork is the largest freelance platform globally. You create a profile, set your rate, and apply to posted jobs from clients around the world. VA work is one of the most common categories.
The reality for beginners: Getting your first client on Upwork is harder than on managed platforms — you're competing with established VAs who have reviews. The strategy: start at $12–$15/hr to build reviews, then raise rates once you have 3–5 completed projects.
Good for: People who want full flexibility and to build a freelance business over time. Not the fastest way to your first paycheck.
8. Virtual Gurus — Canadian VA Platform (US & Canada)
Pay: $18–$35/hr | Type: Contractor | Experience: Some professional admin experience
What it is: Virtual Gurus matches independent VAs with North American businesses. They have a skills-matching process and assign clients based on your specific skills (admin, bookkeeping, marketing support, etc.).
Good for: Canadian applicants who have fewer dedicated VA platforms to choose from. Also accepts US-based VAs for many clients.
9. WoodBows — US & Philippines VA Roles
Pay: $15–$20/hr (US), $5–$8/hr (Philippines) | Type: Contractor | Experience: 2+ years preferred
What it is: WoodBows is a VA service with a strong focus on professional US-based and Philippines-based virtual assistants for small and medium businesses. Tasks include executive assistance, real estate support, digital marketing, and admin work.
Good for: Philippines-based applicants looking for a stable VA platform with consistent client work.
10. 99 Dollar Social — Social Media VA
Pay: $13–$18/hr | Type: Contractor | Experience: None required — they train you
What it is: 99 Dollar Social provides social media management services for small businesses. They hire remote workers to create and schedule content, monitor accounts, and handle basic engagement. Full training provided — you don't need prior social media management experience.
Good for beginners: This is one of the few roles on this list where zero social media management experience is explicitly accepted. The training is real and the work is repeatable.
11. Zirtual — US-Based Only VA Service
Pay: $14–$17/hr | Type: W-2 employee | Experience: College degree + 2 years professional experience
What it is: Zirtual hires US-based VAs as W-2 employees (with benefits) for their subscription VA service. Clients are small business owners, founders, and professionals.
Requirements: US-based only. College degree. 2 years professional experience. The W-2 status and benefits make the more selective requirements worth meeting.
12. Our Job Board — Direct VA Openings
Pay: Varies by role | Type: Varies | Experience: Varies
What it is: Our job board is updated daily with 700+ remote positions. VA and admin roles are posted regularly from verified employers — both direct hire and agency positions. Use the search to filter for "virtual assistant" or "administrative" roles.
March openings: Check the board this week — Q1 hiring for admin support is active, and several direct-hire VA positions have been posted from small businesses this month.
The Fastest Way to Land Your First VA Client in March
After reviewing hundreds of successful VA applications, the ones that get hired first share a few consistent traits:
1. List specific tasks, not vague capabilities
Instead of "I'm good at organization and communication," say "I can manage your inbox using Gmail filters and labels, schedule all your appointments in Calendly, and send follow-up emails from templates you approve." Specificity wins.
2. Show one example of work
You don't need a portfolio. Even one example helps — a sample email you'd send to follow up with a lead, a sample weekly schedule you'd set up, or a sample data entry spreadsheet. Takes 20 minutes to create and immediately differentiates you from applicants who just have a resume.
3. Start with what you know, not what pays best
If you're great at spreadsheets, lead with data entry and admin. If you're good at writing, offer email management and research. Match your initial pitch to your strongest existing skills — then expand once you have a client who trusts you.
4. Apply to HireMyMom this week specifically
HireMyMom posts new VA roles every week from clients who are actively looking — not passive job listings. Spring is one of their busiest seasons because small businesses are ramping up Q2 operations.
How VA Pay Actually Grows Over Time
Here's the path most successful VAs take:
Year 1 (Getting Started): $12–$18/hr
General admin tasks: inbox, scheduling, data entry. 1–2 clients, building reviews and referrals.
Year 2 (Expanding): $18–$25/hr
Adding specialized skills: basic bookkeeping, social media management, CRM work, client onboarding. 2–4 clients.
Year 3+ (Specialist): $25–$45/hr
Executive VA, project management, systems setup (Notion, Asana, ClickUp), marketing operations. Premium clients, fewer hours needed for same income.
The jump from $15 to $25/hr typically happens when a VA adds one or two specialized skills to their general admin foundation. The most valuable add-ons right now: Dubsado/HoneyBook setup, Notion workspace building, and Kajabi/Teachable for course creators.
For a comprehensive look at the full career path, see our VA career guide: from $0 to $50k/year.
What to Do Right Now
- Create a HireMyMom profile today — It's the fastest path to a first paid VA client. New listings every week, clients actively looking.
- List the 3–5 tasks you can do reliably — Be specific. Inbox management, calendar scheduling, research, data entry, social media scheduling. Pick what you already know how to do.
- Write one sample you can show — One email template, one sample schedule, one data entry example. 20 minutes of prep that separates you from most applicants.
- Browse our job board for direct VA listings — Updated daily with verified remote positions including VA and admin roles.
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Make Your Application Stand Out
Our ATS-optimized templates include a VA-specific version with pre-written bullet points for admin and virtual support roles. Perfect for your first VA application.
5 templates included · Instant download · 30-day guarantee
Also hiring in March: See March CS jobs, March data entry jobs, or the full list of 50+ companies hiring this month.
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