Creating a Compelling VA Portfolio & Resume (Cover Letter)

Did you know? Recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning a resume before deciding if you’re worth a second look.

Here’s how to make yours stand out:

📜 Must-Have Resume Sections:

1️⃣ Contact Information – Your name, email, phone, and LinkedIn profile
2️⃣ Professional Summary – A 2-3 sentence pitch highlighting your experience & skills

• Example: "Detail-oriented Virtual Assistant with 3+ years of experience in administrative support, email management, and scheduling. Skilled in CRM tools, social media management, and client communication."
  3️⃣ Skills Section – List top VA-relevant skills (e.g., data entry, Canva, Asana, email handling)
  4️⃣ Work Experience – List past VA roles, even freelance or volunteer work
  5️⃣ Education & Certifications – Include any relevant training (e.g., Google Workspace certification)
  6️⃣ Portfolio/Projects (if applicable) – Showcase real work samples

Do you already have a VA resume? What’s one thing you think you can improve?

Why is a Portfolio Important?
A resume tells clients what you can do, but a portfolio shows them proof. 

📂 What to Include in Your VA Portfolio:
✅ Work Samples – Screenshots of emails you’ve managed, spreadsheets, social media posts, or CRM dashboards
✅ Case Studies – Short write-ups on how you helped past clients (Example: "Increased customer response time by 40% by optimizing email management.")
✅ Testimonials – If past clients loved your work, showcase their feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Before & After Examples – Show how your work improved efficiency

🔗 Where to Create Your Portfolio?

• Google Drive – Simple & easy to share
• Canva – Great for designing a visual portfolio
• A Personal Website – More professional, but optional
• nTells Online Office – Build a simple website that showcase your works.

Do you have a VA portfolio? If not, what’s stopping you?

Did you know? A good cover letter increases your chances of getting hired by 50%? 🤯

✅ Why is a Cover Letter Important?

• Shows personality & professionalism
• Explains WHY you`re the best fit
• Helps you stand out from competitors

Simple Cover Letter Formula:

1️⃣ Opening:

• Greet the hiring manager/client
• Hook them with something unique (“I’m excited to apply as a Virtual Assistant because I love helping businesses stay organized and efficient!”)

2️⃣ Why You?

• Highlight 2-3 key skills relevant to the job
• Give brief examples (“I managed a CEO’s inbox, filtering over 100 emails daily and saving them 10+ hours weekly.”)

3️⃣ Closing:

• End with confidence: “I’d love the opportunity to discuss how I can support your team. Let’s connect!”
• Always attach your resume & portfolio!

Do you find writing cover letters challenging? What’s the hardest part for you? 

Now that you know how to create a strong VA resume, portfolio, and cover letter, it’s time to take action 🎯

✅ Step 1: Update your resume with relevant VA skills
✅ Step 2: Start building a portfolio with work samples
✅ Step 3: Craft a personalized cover letter for each job application

• Which part of job applications do you struggle with the most?
• Need help with your resume or portfolio? Contact an instructor in your lesson page.