Virtual assistant jobs are perfect for remote beginners โ but your resume needs to prove you're organized, tech-savvy, and ready to work independently.
Here's the problem: most VA resumes get filtered out by ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) before a human even sees them.
I'm going to show you exactly how to format your VA resume, what keywords to include, and real examples you can copy. Whether you have experience or you're starting from scratch, this guide will help you land interviews.
What Makes a VA Resume ATS-Friendly?
Before we dive into examples, you need to understand how ATS works. These systems scan your resume for:
- Keywords: Exact matches from the job description
- Formatting: Simple, single-column layouts with standard headings
- File type: .docx or PDF (avoid .pages, .jpg, or complex PDFs)
- Section headings: Standard names like "Work Experience" and "Skills"
Bottom line: Fancy designs, columns, tables, and graphics break ATS. Keep it simple.
VA Resume Structure (ATS-Approved)
Use this exact structure for maximum ATS compatibility:
- Contact Information (name, email, phone, location, LinkedIn)
- Professional Summary (2-3 sentences)
- Skills (2 sub-sections: Technical Skills + Remote Work Skills)
- Work Experience (most recent first, with bullet points)
- Education (degree, school, year)
- Optional: Certifications, Languages, Volunteer Work
Example 1: Beginner VA Resume (No Experience)
If you're brand new to virtual assistant work, focus on transferable skills and tools.
Contact Information
Sarah Martinez
Email: sarah.martinez@email.com | Phone: (555) 123-4567
Location: Remote (EST) | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahmartinez
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented professional with strong organizational and communication skills seeking a virtual assistant role. Proficient in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and calendar management. Experienced in remote collaboration, email organization, and data entry. Strong self-management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines independently.
Skills
Technical Skills: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Gmail), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Canva, Zoom, Slack, basic data entry, email management, calendar scheduling
Remote Work Skills: Async communication, time management, self-directed work, deadline adherence, video conferencing (Zoom, Google Meet), cloud file management (Google Drive, Dropbox)
Work Experience
Administrative Assistant (Intern) | ABC Nonprofit | June 2024 โ August 2024
โข Managed executive calendar and scheduled 20+ meetings per week across multiple time zones
โข Organized and responded to 50+ emails daily with 24-hour turnaround time
โข Created and maintained digital filing system using Google Drive, improving document retrieval time by 40%
โข Prepared meeting agendas, took notes, and distributed action items to 10+ team members
โข Coordinated travel arrangements and expense reporting for 3 executives
Customer Service Representative | XYZ Retail | January 2023 โ May 2024
โข Assisted 30+ customers daily via email, phone, and chat with 95% satisfaction rating
โข Managed customer inquiries and resolved issues independently with minimal supervision
โข Maintained accurate records in CRM system and updated customer profiles
โข Collaborated with remote team members using Slack and Zoom for daily standups
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Communications | State University | 2023
Check If Your Resume Will Pass ATS
Before you apply, scan your VA resume for free. Fix formatting issues and keyword gaps in 30 seconds.
Example 2: Experienced VA Resume
If you have VA experience, focus on measurable results and specific tools.
Contact Information
Jennifer Chen
Email: jennifer.chen@email.com | Phone: (555) 987-6543
Location: Remote (PST) | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenniferchen
Professional Summary
Experienced virtual assistant with 3+ years supporting C-level executives and small business owners. Expert in calendar management, inbox organization, and project coordination using Asana and Notion. Proven track record of improving workflow efficiency and managing multiple priorities remotely. Strong communicator with experience coordinating across global time zones.
Skills
Technical Skills: Google Workspace (advanced), Microsoft Office Suite, Asana, Trello, Notion, QuickBooks (basic), Calendly, Zoom, Slack, Canva, ClickUp, HubSpot CRM, WordPress (basic)
Virtual Assistant Skills: Executive calendar management, email management (inbox zero), travel coordination, expense tracking, meeting preparation, data entry, customer service, social media scheduling, research, presentation creation
Work Experience
Virtual Assistant | Remote Freelance | March 2022 โ Present
โข Support 5 small business owners remotely with calendar management, email organization, and administrative tasks
โข Reduced clients' inbox clutter by 60% through implementation of email filters and templates
โข Schedule and coordinate 40+ meetings per week across 4 time zones using Calendly and Google Calendar
โข Manage travel arrangements including flights, hotels, and itineraries for 8+ trips per year
โข Create and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) in Notion for recurring processes
โข Handle customer inquiries via email and chat with average 2-hour response time
โข Track expenses and prepare monthly reports using QuickBooks, saving clients 5+ hours per month
Executive Assistant | Tech Startup (Remote) | June 2020 โ February 2022
โข Supported CEO and VP of Operations with calendar management, meeting coordination, and travel planning
โข Managed executive calendars with 25+ meetings per week, optimizing schedule to reduce conflicts by 50%
โข Organized quarterly board meetings including agenda prep, presentation creation, and note-taking
โข Coordinated onboarding for 15+ new hires including equipment setup and documentation
โข Maintained CRM database with 200+ contacts and tracked follow-ups using HubSpot
โข Created email templates and automated workflows, reducing response time by 40%
Education
Associate Degree in Business Administration | Community College | 2020
Certifications
Google Workspace Certification | 2023
15 Powerful VA Resume Bullets You Can Copy
Use these proven bullet point formulas to describe your experience:
Calendar & Scheduling
- Managed executive calendar with 30+ meetings per week across 5 time zones
- Coordinated and scheduled 100+ client appointments per month using Calendly
- Reduced meeting conflicts by 40% through proactive calendar optimization
Email Management
- Processed 100+ emails daily, maintaining inbox zero with 24-hour response time
- Created email templates and filters, reducing inbox management time by 50%
- Triaged and prioritized incoming messages, flagging urgent items for immediate attention
Administrative Tasks
- Organized digital files using Google Drive, improving document retrieval speed by 60%
- Prepared meeting agendas, took minutes, and distributed action items to 15+ team members
- Coordinated travel arrangements including flights, hotels, and itineraries for 20+ trips per year
Data Entry & Research
- Entered and maintained 500+ customer records in CRM with 99.5% accuracy
- Conducted market research and compiled findings into actionable reports
- Created and updated spreadsheets tracking expenses, budgets, and project timelines
Customer Service & Communication
- Responded to 40+ customer inquiries daily via email and chat with 96% satisfaction rating
- Managed client onboarding process for 25+ new accounts per quarter
- Coordinated communication between remote team members across 3 departments
Critical Keywords to Include on Your VA Resume
Copy these keywords into your Skills section and work experience bullets (only use keywords that are true for you):
Core VA Keywords
- Virtual Assistant
- Administrative Support
- Calendar Management
- Email Management
- Executive Assistant
- Data Entry
- Scheduling
- Customer Service
Tools & Software
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Drive)
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Asana
- Trello
- Notion
- Slack
- Zoom
- Calendly
- QuickBooks (if applicable)
- Canva
Remote Work Skills
- Async Communication
- Time Management
- Self-Directed
- Remote Collaboration
- Video Conferencing
- Cloud-Based Tools
- Independent Work
Common VA Resume Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using Fancy Formatting
Graphics, columns, and creative layouts break ATS. Stick to a simple single-column format with standard fonts.
2. Vague Bullet Points
Don't write: "Handled administrative tasks"
Do write: "Managed executive calendar with 25+ meetings per week and coordinated travel for 10+ trips per year"
3. Missing Remote Work Skills
VA roles are 100% remote. You MUST prove you can work independently. Add a dedicated "Remote Work Skills" section.
4. Not Tailoring to the Job Description
Every VA job is different. Read the job posting and mirror their exact language in your resume.
5. Skipping Numbers
Quantify everything: number of emails, meetings, clients, tasks, accuracy rates, time saved.
How to Write Your Professional Summary
Your professional summary should be 2-3 sentences covering:
- Experience level: "Detail-oriented professional" or "Experienced VA with 3+ years"
- Key skills: "Proficient in calendar management, email organization, and customer service"
- Tools: "Expert in Google Workspace, Asana, and Slack"
- Remote readiness: "Strong self-management skills with experience in remote collaboration"
Formula for Beginners:
[Adjective] professional with strong [skill 1] and [skill 2] skills seeking a virtual assistant role. Proficient in [tool 1], [tool 2], and [key task]. Experienced in [remote-relevant skill] with the ability to [demonstrate independence].
Formula for Experienced VAs:
Experienced virtual assistant with [X]+ years supporting [type of clients]. Expert in [skill 1], [skill 2], and [skill 3] using [tool 1] and [tool 2]. Proven track record of [result] and managing [responsibility] remotely.
Next Steps: Turn Your Resume Into Interviews
Now that you have resume examples and bullet points, here's what to do:
- Use our free resume builder to create an ATS-friendly VA resume
- Scan your resume to check for formatting issues and missing keywords
- Customize for each job: Mirror the exact language from the job description
- Track your applications and follow up after 7 days
- Apply to beginner-friendly VA jobs on our curated job board
Ready to Land Your First VA Job?
Get everything you need to apply with confidence:
- ATS-friendly resume templates
- Cover letter examples
- Interview scripts
- Application tracker
FAQ
What should I put on a virtual assistant resume with no experience?
Focus on transferable skills: calendar management, email organization, data entry, customer service, social media basics, and any tools you know (Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Canva). Add a "Remote Work Skills" section highlighting async communication, time management, and self-direction. Include volunteer work, internships, or personal projects where you used these skills.
How do I format a VA resume to pass ATS?
Use a simple single-column layout with standard fonts (Arial, Calibri). Include clear section headings: Contact Info, Professional Summary, Skills, Work Experience, Education. Avoid tables, columns, graphics, and fancy formatting. Save as .docx or PDF. Use exact keywords from job descriptions. Include a "Remote Work Skills" or "Virtual Assistant Skills" section.
What are the most important keywords for a VA resume?
Include: virtual assistant, administrative support, calendar management, email management, data entry, scheduling, customer service, remote work, Google Workspace/G Suite, Microsoft Office, Slack, Zoom, time management, organization, communication, multitasking, and any specific tools mentioned in job descriptions (Asana, Trello, QuickBooks, etc.).
Should I use a functional or chronological resume for VA jobs?
Use chronological format (most recent experience first) if you have relevant work history. Use a hybrid format if you're switching careers: brief professional summary + skills section at the top, then chronological work experience below. Avoid purely functional resumes as ATS and recruiters prefer seeing work history in order.
How long should a virtual assistant resume be?
One page for beginners or those with less than 5 years of experience. Two pages maximum if you have extensive relevant experience. Virtual assistant roles value clarity and organization, so keep your resume concise and scannable. Focus on impact, not length.
What's the best professional summary for a VA resume?
Write 2-3 sentences highlighting: years of experience (or "detail-oriented professional"), key skills (calendar/email management, customer service), tools you know (Google Workspace, Zoom, Slack), and your remote readiness ("experienced in remote collaboration" or "strong self-management skills"). Tailor it to match the specific job posting.
How do I show remote work skills on my VA resume?
Create a dedicated "Remote Work Skills" section listing: async communication tools (Slack, email), video conferencing (Zoom, Google Meet), project management (Asana, Trello), cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox), time tracking, and self-management abilities. In your work experience bullets, mention "coordinated schedules across 3 time zones" or "managed inbox remotely with 24-hour response time."
๐ฏ Get Your VA Resume Professionally Reviewed
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- ATS compatibility analysis (see what's blocking you)
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- Line-by-line feedback on every bullet point
- Custom 10-15 min video walkthrough
- Before/after resume comparison
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