5 things to consider before hiring a virtual assistant: Understand the duties of a virtual assistant

 5 things to consider before hiring a virtual assistant:  Understand the duties of a virtual assistant 

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I hear the term "virtual assistant" more and more often in business. Did you know you can hire someone from another continent to work while you sleep for $8-12? Most of the VAs I work with have degrees and one has a Master's in Business Administration. I pay him $15.00 an hour and what a bargain. 

 With the rise of virtual assistants, what it means to be a virtual assistant has also changed. The leaders and founders of this entrepreneurial venture distinguished between what a virtual assistant means and what it does not mean. When explaining your business to others, you want to make sure you follow this standard.  

 Being a virtual assistant is becoming a separate definition for certain home businesses. The standards of all other virtual assistants in the profession are expected to be maintained. This means that a virtual assistant is a person who provides various services to companies and private individuals according to the standard formalized in the last decade.  The first perspective when approaching a virtual assistant involves the idea of ​​virtuality. Unless you work out of your home or remotely,  you are not considered a virtual assistant. Instead, it is considered temporary work or telecommuting. One of the standards of a virtual assistant is the freedom to work wherever you want. 

 Another part of the virtual assistant is the difference that is stated in the job description. Most virtual assistants balk at the idea of ​​being called a secretary or a freelancer. Technically, a freelancer is someone who only works for extra income. At the same time, a secretary is someone who does not work with just one client all the time. A virtual assistant is offered to build a meaningful and long-term relationship with the company. 

 Here are 5 things you should consider when choosing a virtual assistant? 

1. Professionalism. Does the VA respond to their emails, voicemails, and other correspondence in a timely and professional manner? It is important that if this person works for you, they have the right skills to not keep you or a deadline waiting. Be sure to give him a secret task to complete that demonstrates adherence to deadlines.  

2. Project management. Juggling tasks is crucial these days. Now we tap our feet in front of the microwave to get things done. If a person can't work on a project while moving, it might be worth moving on. I guarantee you'll know they have a project management problem if you miss the "big deal". 

 3. Availability. Many of these people work for several people at the same time. It is not uncommon for you as an employer to be in the VA funnel system. You will slowly move down as they get better offers from new virtual employers. Be aware that you and your project will be abandoned when you least need it. You also need to organize new VAs. To combat this problem, try dividing your work between two or more VAs. 

 4. Test. Give the VA a mini-project before signing the contract. I also offer at least 2 tasks that cost no more than $30-$40 to complete. I have to get them right and fully satisfied before I even consider this person. It's easy to hire one of the first people who show up, but list at least 10 and assign tasks to two of the 10 you've chosen. Of course, make sure these tasks are something you really want to do, not a waste of money.  

 5. Get references. Can the VA give you a list of people to contact who will tell you about working with them? 

 The biggest difference that most virtual assistants try to make is the idea of ​​building a relationship with a business and making it your business. It exceeds the expectations of any temp or remote worker. This also means that the services offered by a virtual assistant go beyond job descriptions done in the office. By understanding the requirements of a virtual assistant, you can best approach it in your dealings with businesses.

Are you thinking of hiring a virtual assistant? Here are 5 things to consider before you do!

Virtual assistants can work from anywhere in the world and provide a variety of services to businesses and individuals. However, not all virtual assistants are created equal, so it's important to keep certain things in mind when hiring one.

The first thing to consider is professionalism. Make sure your virtual assistant answers emails and other correspondence in a timely and professional manner. You don't want to be left waiting or miss important deadlines.

Secondly, project management skills are crucial. A good virtual assistant should be able to juggle multiple tasks and prioritize them effectively.

Thirdly, availability can be an issue with virtual assistants who work for multiple clients. Make sure to communicate clearly about your expectations and try to split your work between multiple assistants to avoid being dropped when you need them the most.

Fourthly, always give a mini project before signing a contract. This will give you an idea of their capabilities and help you make an informed decision.

Lastly, don't forget to ask for references. Talking to other clients can give you a good idea of their experience working with virtual assistants.

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