It is best to be smart when finding the right Virtual Assistant (VA) who fits your business needs. There are certain factors that you need to mull over in order to know if you are hiring the perfect fit for your company.
Below are the best tips that can certainly guide you in the selection process and help you determined whether a particular VA is the right one for you or not.
Check Virtual Assistant’s References
Just like hiring in a traditional way, you don’t want to make the mistake of hiring a personal assistant without first checking on the person’s previous works and references. Ask for references when sieving down your choices when hiring a VA online. Heeding this tip will save you from some future hassles.
Prefer for Multiple Forms of Communication
Choose one who possesses multiple ways of contacting her or him. Other forms of communication may include email, telephone, online instant messaging, fax, and Skype. A virtual assistant with several choices of communicating with clients are a good indication of high proficiency and professionalism.
Opt for a Project by Project Basis
Depending on your specific needs, it is best to hire a virtual assistant on a project by project basis. This can work best for you in many ways. One the first hand, most virtual personal assistant are more inclined to work harder when working on this sort of setup. They want each project to finish promptly and proceed to next one.
On the other hand, hiring a virtual assistant on an hourly basis is not an ideal option. You are working with an assistant who is not working in your office. You don’t see them and some may not be as honest as you assumed them to be.
Check if Your Virtual Assistant has the Right Equipment
This is highly important and should be a strong basis of your selection. You need to make sure that the one you hire has proper devices, software, and other reliable equipment ready for your disposal. You can certainly see whether a particular VA is serious with the job if she or he has what it takes to satisfy the clients’ business needs.
Make an Interview Online
Perform an actual test with your prospective Virtual Assistant by interviewing her or him online. The outcome of your interview will help you see if a particular VA is the perfect candidate for the job. You can try the VA’s writing skills through chat in Skype, or listen the way she or he talks through a telephone interview.