What to Look For When Hiring a Virtual Assistant‍

As the workforce continues to become a remote environment, you may be confronted with the need to hire a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant is someone available online to help complete tasks that you may not have the time or interest in completing. Many platforms provide virtual assistant services.

However, not all virtual assistants are created equal. You want to make sure that you take the time to vet your candidate properly to ensure you are getting someone who can handle the responsibilities that they are given and provide great work results. Examining what to look for when hiring a virtual assistant will help you find a talented candidate who is the right fit for your needs.

Technical Qualifications

Technical qualifications are the skills that the virtual assistant has to manage core job responsibilities well. These skills help to set apart the professional assistants from the mediocre. You also want to look for a virtual assistant that has experience in your area of expertise- for example, if you work in sales, you want to have an assistant who is also familiar with a sales role.

Strong Communication Skills

Since you are hiring someone who will be working virtually, they must possess strong communication skills. Your virtual assistant must know how to communicate well via email, chat, over the phone, and on various software platforms. Team meetings via zoom are a great way to stay connected with your virtual assistant during the week to ensure that delegated responsibilities are being managed well.

Computer Savvy

Your virtual assistant needs to be computer savvy. Knowing how to navigate online and being familiar with the software that you use in your daily operations is crucial. Your virtual assistant should have strong typing skills, with a clear understanding of grammar rules, spelling, and scheduling calendars.

Accounting Skills

Being familiar with simple accounting software is important. Especially if your virtual assistant will be managing your finance books or have to monitor expenses for the company.

Research Skills

Knowing how to research information will be a priority for your virtual assistant. The internet provides great tools for an assistant to use to do their job well. However, you want to hire a virtual assistant who is committed to finding the best deals, clients, and providing the best results for you.

English Proficiency

Working as a virtual assistant should also require English proficiency. Having a strong command of the English language is important because your virtual assistant will be in contact with clients daily. You want to make sure that they leave a good impression of your company on the customer.

Planning

Many virtual assistants are responsible for planning meetings, events, appointments for their employers. When you are interviewing your candidate, make sure they have experience with planning. Ask them to give examples of times when they had to plan something for their employer.

A great virtual assistant will possess the skills to plan things quickly, set automated notifications, and know-how to manage your schedule without double booking or overbooking you for multiple engagements.

Social Media

You may need someone to manage your social media accounts and professional business profiles. It’s important for your virtual assistant to be well versed in social media and to be knowledgeable of how to use the different platforms. Your social media presence will be at the mercy of your virtual assistant’s skills. Make sure your brand is in good hands.

Virtues

Hiring someone for a virtual assistant job also requires certain virtues to ensure that your candidate is the type of person you feel confident working with.

Honest

Nobody wants to work with someone dishonest and untrustworthy. A virtual assistant will have access to your private, personal information. You need to make sure that this person has integrity and will not abuse confidential information for selfish gain.

Reliable

Being reliable is a necessity as a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants are the pulse of the office. They work to help you perform well overall in your responsibilities. An unreliable assistant will set you up for failure every time. Checking credentials is important to ensure that the candidate you are considering lives up to the expectations that you have set for them in the role given.

Resourceful

There will be many days when your virtual assistant will need to be resourceful to get the job done. This is a virtue that is anchored in discernment. Knowing how to identify opportunities and solutions is a valuable trait that should be a part of your virtual assistant’s working portfolio.

Positive Energy

Nobody likes working with toxic people. Make sure that your virtual assistant is kind and has a positive disposition. This will make it easier for both of you to get along.

Focused

When hiring a virtual assistant, make sure that they can handle challenges well. Look for a candidate who can multitask and is focused. Dealing with a lot of responsibility can be stressful for some people. Your virtual assistant should be able to adapt to a fast-paced work culture and flow accordingly.

Good with Time Management

Not everybody is cut out for remote work. A virtual assistant should know how to prioritize their responsibilities and manage their time well. This will ensure that they are getting their work done. It will also ensure you are getting your work done as well. Your virtual assistant will be managing your calendar. If they lack time management skills, it will negatively impact your engagements with your clients, business partners, and your life, because they are responsible for setting your calendar.

Hiring Your Virtual Assistant

Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to take action and find your new virtual assistant. Here are the steps you will need to do next to get started:

1. Make sure you provide clarity in your job posting about what you are looking for. Note that you are looking for a virtual assistant and highlight the core responsibilities you expect them to fulfill.
2. Schedule an interview. Just because someone submits a resume and cover letter to you doesn’t mean that they are the right fit for the job. Schedule an interview via telephone or zoom so that you can have a more in-depth opportunity to vet your candidate.
3. Consider giving your candidate an online skill test to assess their skills. You want to make sure that they can deliver the results you desire when working alone as your virtual assistant.
4. Onboard your new hire by ensuring they are familiar with the software you use. Provide your virtual assistant with the tools they need to perform well. Show them how to access your calendar, client database, and any other resource they will need to serve you as your new virtual assistant.

Conclusion

It’s always exciting to see your business grow. However, growth often brings unique challenges that may require additional help. Hiring a virtual assistant can help transform your business even more. To ensure you find a candidate who can accommodate your business needs, make sure you screen every applicant thoroughly.

You want to hire someone who will be an asset to your business, not a liability. Take the time to create a job posting that’s clear about the responsibilities your virtual assistant will have. Test the applicant to ensure they can perform well.

Make sure that your virtual assistant possesses the skills and virtues that will benefit you as their employer and compliment your office work culture. Taking these extra steps will help you navigate through the large pool of candidates that are eager to become virtual assistants and help you find a candidate who will be a dynamic asset to your organization.