Hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) is going to be a really important step in your business growth. Therefore, you need to make sure you’re hiring someone that understands you, your business AND what you want to achieve… and that’s before you’ve even got started on what you want them to do for you!
Your Virtual Assistant will become an integral part of your team, so it’s essential that you hire someone that ‘gets’ you – and that’s why you NEED to actually take the time to either meet them in person or at least have a phone conversation with them. So take the time to ask the right questions to find out about your Virtual Assistant BEFORE you hire them, and here are some great questions to get you started:
- How long have you been in business?
- Where are you based and what target markets do you specialise in?
- What working hours do you have and do you work at the weekend?
- How do you charge for work? For example, is it per project, per hour or in 15 minute slots?
- What turnaround do you have on work?
- Do you require me to sign a contract and what exactly am I signing up to (e.g. minimum length of service etc.)
- Do you have a confidentiality agreement?
- What programs do you use and which are you most experienced in?
Are you going to be doing the work yourself or sub-contracting to someone else?- How often do you stay in contact and what is your preferred communication method?
- What is your standard response time to emails and phone calls with your clients?
- What plans do you have in place to ensure my work is completed when you’re ill or on holiday?
- Do you invoice upfront of once the work is completed?
- What are your preferred payment methods?
- Do you have client testimonials and can I contact those clients direct?
Obviously you don’t want to turn the conversation into an interrogation, but you do need to remember that this is actually an interview, so these questions, along with your gut feelings, will be enough to give you an overview of who they are and how they work. You can then ascertain if they’re right for you and your business.
The important thing to remember is not to rush your decision. Obviously, if the answer is a definite ‘no’, be honest and let them know you won’t be using their services – don’t keep them hanging on for 24 or 48 hours if you don’t have to. However, if you want some time to think about your options, let them know and give them a definite deadline that you will work to. This ensures both parties know exactly what’s happening and where you’re currently at.
What was your biggest takeaway from today’s post? Are there any questions you’d ask that are not currently on the list? Why not share them with others, by leaving them in the comments box below!
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