Hiring the perfect virtual assistant can be a game changer for small business owners and solopreneurs. A VA frees you up to focus on the big picture and grow your business by taking on some of the administrative tasks that take up valuable time.
But with so many VAs out there, how do you know you’re hiring the perfect one for your business?
Here are five tips for finding and hiring a VA who will help take your business to the next level:
Define your needs – what tasks do you need help with daily or weekly?
When considering hiring a virtual assistant, the first thing to do is define what tasks you need them for. Look over your daily and weekly schedule – is there anything that a virtual assistant could do?
Even seemingly small tasks such as checking emails, scheduling appointments or conducting background research can help free up your time dramatically!
Besides these more standard virtual assistant tasks, take some time to think broadly: what would really make your life easier that could be handled by a virtual assistant? Figuring out the specifics ahead of time will set you up for success by using a virtual assistant that perfectly meets your needs.
Do your research – read online reviews and compare different virtual assistant services.
When it comes to selecting the perfect virtual assistant to help you with your workload, it’s important to conduct your research and make sure you’re choosing the best possible service. Don’t just pick the first option you come across – take some time to explore your options.
Read up on online reviews or talk to colleagues or friends who have already tried out different virtual assistant services. Consider the pros and cons of each service, compare different packages and prices, and don’t forget to double-check for any hidden fees! When done right, investing a bit of time into researching virtual assistant services can help save you a lot of problems (and money!) down the line.
Make a shortlist of potential candidates – consider their skills, experience, and rates.
Making a shortlist of potential candidates is the launchpad to finding the perfect virtual assistant. Having an eye for detail and doing research will help you find the right fit for your organization.
Start by reviewing resumes and job applications based on skills and experience relevant to your work. From there, consider their rates to see if they fit your budget. The more effort put into analyzing the qualifications of potential candidates while also keeping an eye on their pricing, the better chance you have at narrowing down a shortlist of excellent contenders.
Set up interviews – ask each candidate about their qualifications and how they would approach your specific needs.
When setting up interviews for potential virtual assistant hires, it’s important to ask the right questions to make sure you find the best candidate.
Start by inquiring about their qualifications and experience – any certifications that might be relevant – and then move on to specific points related to what tasks you need them to perform. Let them know your workload expectations, and ensure they’re comfortable with the job description before proceeding.
Understanding the person’s work habits, availability, and technical prowess will help guide you towards the best decision for your needs. It’s also worthwhile finding out their preferences – do they prefer email over instant messaging or a more traditional approach?
All these determining factors can give you a better feel for whether this is someone who fits into your business/company culture.
Choose the right fit for you – pick the virtual assistant who you feel most comfortable working with.
Finding the right virtual assistant can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
You should treat hiring a virtual assistant like you’re searching for the perfect addition to an already existing team. When picking someone, make sure you feel comfortable with their communication style and that they’re willing to work the hours and pay you set.
Think of how long this person will be woven into your life and business—you want to pick the best fit possible so that your times together are as productive and wonderful as they can be! Finding the right virtual assistant to help with organizing your life and work can be incredibly beneficial.
Remember, defining what you need is a great first step, followed by research and comparisons. Take your time when narrowing down potential candidates, and don’t forget to set up interviews with each one. After taking into account qualifications, experience, and rates, find the virtual assistant who you feel most comfortable working with, as this will ensure that you have an amazing experience that yields positive results.
But what if you don’t have the time to do all of this?
When we started Your Workforce Online, we wanted our services to address this problem.
A lot of business owners and solopreneurs like you have their days full managing the operations of their businesses to the point that even though they’re willing to seek the help they need, they struggle to find the time to look for a virtual assistant. Further, teach them what they need to learn about their business. Your Workforce Online has established a proven process in task management.
You’ll work with one of our operations managers, who will help you create the processes to ensure the delivery of expected results. One of our virtual assistants will then implement this, and your dedicated operations manager will watch over and validate the tasks being done.
You don’t need to pay separately for this two-level support. If this is what you’re looking for, click here to book a free discovery call, and we’ll help you decide if we’re the right team for you. Otherwise, feel free to download the Ultimate VA Task Checklist below – this will give you an idea of what support we can provide or what task you can delegate to the VAs that you’ve chosen to hire.