4 Ways to Take the Stress Out of Hiring a Virtual Assistant

Let’s face it - small business owners have a lot on their plate. In fact, that may be the understatement of the year, especially in our current business climate! If you have decided it’s time to outsource operations support tasks, like bookkeeping or social media management, now is a great time to connect with virtual assistants (VAs). Finding a VA is not hard - in fact, it’s almost too easy these days, given the growth in the VA industry. Placing an ad on Indeed or even your business Facebook page will land you many applicants. How do you know if the VA can do the work? Are they reliable? Will they fit with my business?

Keep reading, because this week we review four tips to make hiring a VA much easier. 

1.   Obtain referrals. Many small business owners use VAs - so start by asking for referrals or recommendations on LinkedIn or in other professional groups. Most VAs have a strong network and know other VAs - if you connect with one that is not a fit, chances are that they know another VA who could help. Also, many VA training programs offer referral services, such as the Virtual Expert Training program. Initial consultations are typically free of charge, and they can point you in the right direction. 
   
2.   Review portfolios, testimonials, and references. Professional VAs should be able to provide you with proof of their work by providing you a link to an online portfolio or business website. VAs often rely on their LinkedIn profile as well, where their colleagues and clients have written a recommendation. Look for testimonials and references as you search the services any VA lists on their website or LinkedIn profile.  Most VAs provide a link to that company or organization, so you can see that they are legitimate. 
3.   Video interviews – Video platforms like Zoom and Google Meet exploded onto the scene during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now have become commonplace in our professional life. Use these tools to interview any virtual team member that you plan on hiring. Video allows you to know someone on a more personal level - assess their personality, how they communicate, and even how they dress. All of these factors help you determine if they are a good fit for business needs. 
   
4.   Partner with a VA Agency. Another great option is working with a VA agency. Agencies vet, interview, reference check, and typically conduct skills testing on their candidate pool. Another added bonus: most agencies know what questions to ask you, the business owner, so that they can match you with the right person. The agency has thought of all the little things that you may not even know you need to think about!. Consider handing off the task of finding a VA to an agency - they will help with the onboarding process to make sure the transition is a smooth one. As an added bonus, if the VA you typically work with is headed out for vacation or is sick, an agency can find a replacement quickly. And finally, you pay one bill - and the VA agency takes care of the rest.
   

Are these four tips helpful to you as a small business owner? Tell me what you think in the comments below. If you are a business owner and want to see if working with VAs makes sense for your growing business, schedule a free discovery call today! In the meantime, join our mailing list to learn the latest about both Let’s Build Talent and Achieve VA.