It’s time to outsource some tasks and hire a VA. Woohoo!
You’ve Googled virtual assistant and found plenty of search results. But how do you know which VAs are the good ones and which one you should choose for your business?
To find out, you need to ask the right questions.
And to help, we’ve listed some of the best things to ask below.
Remember, when you hire a VA, it isn’t just about whether they have the skills actually to do the task you want. It is also about whether you feel comfortable working with them, whether you click, and whether their processes work for you.
Right, let’s assemble your list of questions…
7 Essential Questions to Ask Before you Hire a VA
There are some no-brainer questions that will be on your list when interviewing potential VAs. They are:
- Can they do the work you need to be completed?
- Do they have good communication?
- Do they have the right equipment for the job?
But, beyond those simple questions, you want to dig a little deeper to ensure you make the right choice. Here are what we believe to be the seven key areas to ask about when you hire a VA:
1: Availability
Being a VA has become a pretty popular career choice. Many people take on this type of work because they have family commitments to work around. But that means they might not be available for the whole day or want to work at odd times.
Talk to your potential VA about their hours and make sure they fit with your business. Remember to ask, what happens if things crop up unexpectedly – how do they still get their work done? Do they have a team to back them, or might you be left without your VA unexpectedly?
2: Capacity and Other Clients
VAs will usually have more than one client. That’s very normal. But it also means they will have prior commitments and deadlines to meet. So, you’ll want to ensure they have adequate time to devote to your work. Also, find out how your work will be prioritised among their other clients.
Ideally, if you have regular or recurring tasks for your VA to complete, they should have the capacity to be able to commit to the workload on an ongoing basis.
3: Timelines
Tied up with their capacity are the timelines your VA will be able to work to. Find out if they can fit with the timelines you need. Do they have the ability to take on things at short notice if you need them to? What will their turnaround times be, and how much notice do you need to give them for the various tasks?
4: Budget and Payment Terms
Budget shouldn’t be the only determining factor for whether you work with a VA or not. But, particularly for small businesses, it has to be a consideration.
Talk to your VA about their pricing and their payment structure. Most VAs will offer a package of hours (like we do here at Admin Army) for easy budgeting and capacity planning. If you need varying hours, then ask your VA if that can be factored in or whether they only offer monthly package rates.
5: Communication Styles
Are you a business owner who loves to brainstorm and chat about things over a Zoom meeting or a phone call? Or do you prefer concise emails or messenger chats?
To be efficient in your business, you need to communicate in a way that works for you. So, look for a VA who can effectively use the same communication style as you.
6: Systems
To make things run smoothly, you want your VA to use the same systems you do comfortably. There’s no point in working with a VA who’s an expert in MYOB if all your financial records are on Xero.
If your VA doesn’t have a handle on your systems, don’t rule them out just yet! First, find out how willing they would be to learn new systems if required.
7: Added Value
Depending on the type of business owner you are, you may be looking for your VA to add value to the role. Are you looking for someone who will offer advice and suggestions for improving your process, streamlining your workflows, or doing things better? Or do you want someone who will do it as you tell them?
Hire a VA Easily by Choosing Admin Army
Finding a suitable VA for your needs and checking that they will be a good fit can be time-consuming. So how do you get all the benefits of a great VA without all the hassle of finding one? You partner with Admin Army.
By partnering with us, you get a team of experienced and vetted VAs. They all have the right skills and attributes to help your business succeed. We’ve already asked all the questions and have proven systems and packages to ensure the work gets done when needed.
Ready to hire a VA for your team? Get in touch to learn more about how our troops can help your business.