The HR virtual assistant boom: a deep dive into the surge

It’s necessary to keep up with the latest trends within today’s rapidly evolving job market. As the work world becomes increasingly technology-driven, industries are adopting new methods to streamline their processes and you should be too.

A significant shift is the surge in demand for virtual assistant services. With an increase of internet users of more than 257 million from 2020 and 2021, it’s believed that the virtual assistant market will reach $25.6 billion by 2025. This exponential growth underlines its monumental importance in reshaping the future for HR teams globally.

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant (VA) can be an invaluable asset to your HR team, providing administration, technical or creative support remotely.

The concept was initially born out of necessity for entrepreneurs and small business owners who needed help with certain tasks but didn’t have the resources or funds for a full-time employee.

Organizations can expect to save as much as 78% in operating costs from outsourcing tasks to a VA instead of hiring a traditional in-house employee.

Their popularity has since skyrocketed with larger and multinational companies now recognizing their extensive value.

A VA isn’t confined to just simple tasks, they can handle everything from:

• Calendar management
• Email correspondence
• Social media marketing
• Customer service
• Market research
• Bookkeeping
• Sales support
• Administrative support
• Website management
• Personal tasks

There are also no geographical restrictions, as they can provide personalized assistance from any location.

Gone are the days when VA’s were merely seen as ‘remote employees’. They now play a vital role in contributing towards business growth and their team’s operational efficiency.

Whether they’re working for a start-up or a large corporation, businesses across the spectrum are reaping the benefits of this flexible and cost-effective resource.

The surge in demand for virtual assistants

According to Statista, between 2020 and 2025, the IT outsourcing industry will have an annual growth rate of 4.5%, with the most in-demand type being social media management.

The recent surge in demand is largely attributed to the need for flexibility and cost-saving measures, with the global pandemic accelerating the shift towards remote working and the downsizing of physical offices.

VA’s provide a seamless integration into this new way of working, especially in HR teams that have had to downsize teams but require these valuable resources. Thanks to the wide variety of tasks that virtual assistants can handle, this enables those smaller in-house teams to focus more on strategic revenue-generating activities.

This not only helps to reduce staffing costs but also improves the overall productivity and growth of the business.

Why you should consider a virtual assistant for your HR team

As an HR professional, you’re always seeking ways to optimize your team’s efficiency and productivity. Enter the world of Virtual Assistants (VAs). If you’re contemplating augmenting your support staff, here are some compelling reasons why VAs could be your best bet:

1. Time-saving powerhouse: They will handle routine tasks, freeing your team to focus on strategic initiatives and core business activities.
2. Cost-effective: More affordable than a full-time employee. You pay for hours worked, with zero overheads like office space, equipment, or benefits.
3. Round-the-clock support: If you decide to hire virtual assistants in different time zones, you can enjoy round-the-clock support, ensuring tasks are completed promptly and customer inquiries are answered swiftly.
4. Flexible hiring: Depending on your needs, hire VAs hourly, part-time, or full-time.
5. Productivity booster: By managing administrative tasks, they enable your team to concentrate on high-value activities that drive growth, enhancing overall productivity.
6. Diverse skills access: VAs come equipped with a wide array of skills, from administrative to technical to creative, offering you a pool of expertise to tap into as needed.
7. Scalability: As your business expands, simply increase the hours or tasks assigned to your VA, no need for hiring additional full-time employees.
8. Work-life balance: By taking on some of your tasks, VAs help business owners and managers achieve a healthier work-life balance.
9. Stress reduction: Outsourcing and delegating tasks can significantly reduce stress and prevent burnout in the workplace.
10. Streamlined operations: VAs can help streamline business operations, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.

It’s clear that VAs offer a wealth of benefits. It’s time to consider integrating them into your HR strategy.

The future of virtual assistants

As the remote work model becomes increasingly popular, the demand for virtual assistants is expected to rise even further all over the world. According to industry statistics, there are more than two million freelancers in the UK currently, a figure expected to rise annually as more individuals take the leap.

This trend isn’t slowing down and as HR professionals, you should be staying ahead of the curve and leveraging the power of using a virtual assistant to maintain your organization’s agility and efficiency in the evolving workplace landscape.

HR virtual assistants: your workplace future?

This surge in demand has disrupted the traditional workplace model and is proving to be an excellent way for businesses to optimize their workflow efficiency. As more industries continue to adopt a digital approach, the need for VA’s will continue to rise.

HR professionals must understand the impact of this trend on the job and create policies that enable organizations to work with virtual assistants flexibly.

Embracing virtual assistants is the way forward and a great opportunity to streamline businesses’ productivity while saving on costs.